Priest challenges catholic men to be ‘evangelists’

Blantyre, February 26, Mana; Catholic Men Association (CMA) formerly Catholic Men Organization at Saints Peter and Paul (Chilobwe) Parish under the Archdiocese of Blantyre have been challenged to remain active participants in the evangelization and growth of the church.

Fr. George Chatsira of Pius V11 Seminary in Nguludi gave the challenge on Saturday when he conducted a Lenten season recollection for the CMA at the parish under the theme; ‘Encountering World Beasts and Angels,’ drawn from Mark 1 verse 13.

Chatsira observed that men have a huge responsibility in the church because of their physical as well as social status which puts them in a better position to be evangelists and help the church grow both in numbers and in faith.

“Catholic men are being called upon to preach the word of God and be torch bearers in the world by living an exemplary life as set by Joseph who was very courageous in raising Christ despite facing all sorts of apprehension,” Fr. Chatsira said.

He said world beasts in the scripture represented the many challenges people encounter in their day to day life while the angels stand for the protection that people get from worldly dangers.

“It is important to appreciate that Christ understands our worldly challenges because he himself was also put to the test by Satan when he was in the desert to pray. God does not forsake anyone despite our inequities,” Chatsira said.

Fr. Chatsira encouraged catholic faithful to propagate the message of hope during the Lenten season adding that whatever gifts Christians receive from God were supposed to transcend to others less privileged since as beneficiaries ‘we were only a means to reach out to others.’

He encouraged Christians to embrace three pillars of Lenten season which include; fasting, almsgiving and steadfast prayer in order for this year’s season to be significant.

On a different note, Fr. Chatsira advised the CMA to take an active role in environmental management, noting that climate change was real as manifested by cyclones and drought experienced during this year’s rainy season.

“In the past, deforestation and global warming were things that were very distant to us and we thought it is only a concern for western countries. However, we have now started feeling the effects of climate change which calls for our vigilance in conserving the environment by planting more trees,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the parish executive CMA, Innocent Namwiri, commended the pastoral team at the parish for considering spiritual retreats as one way of reviving congregants’ connection with God.

Namwiri observed that the spiritual recollections were important since they are seasonal-oriented, citing the previous one held in December during Advent in anticipation of Christmas and in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

He, therefore, thanked Fr. Chatsira for moderating the retreat despite his busy schedules at the seminary. Namawiri also commended the CMA members for dedicating their time to the event.

According to Patrick Magombo, Chilobwe Parish catechist, the retreat was aimed at deepening the spiritual connection among the faithful in anticipation of Easter.

Magombo disclosed that the parish has organized a number of retreats for various associations in the church such as the choir council, catholic women association and the youth considering each one of them has its own roles and responsibilities in the church.

As Christians, Catholics in particular, entered the third week of Lent which is solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness and enduring temptation by Satan.