By Brian Wasili

Mwanza, May 2, Mana:  Catholic men in the country have been urged to preserve their integrity by being exemplary to society and their families so that their children were groomed into responsible as well as productive citizens.

Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese, Thomas Luke Msusa made the call at this year’s national celebrations of Catholic Men Association (CMA) held at St Paul’s Parish in Mwanza District on Wednesday.

“We cannot develop as a country if the men are not responsible and patriotic and this starts from the family whereby one is brought up,” said Msusa.

Msusa who was accompanied by Bishop Montifort Sitima of Mangochi Diocese condemned men who drink excessively and irresponsibly, noting that such behavior affects their children because they do not have time to attend to their needs as a result their education is compromised contributing to school dropout.

“Men have to emulate Joseph in the Holy Bible who loved his wife and was God fearing, hardworking and most importantly; provided needs of his family in which Jesus Christ was born and brought up with desirable characters,” said Msusa.

In an interview, CMA national chairperson, Gibson Mkanda of Kagwa Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe commended men in the Catholic Church for accepting the calling to serve God through the association.

“Some men regard themselves as busy people so that it is difficult for them to take part in religious activities but I can challenge them that if we put God first everything is possible,” said Mkanda.

Mkanda, therefore, asked his Catholic male counterparts in the country who are yet to join the association to be part of it at their respective churches so that they can spiritually get strengthened by sharing life experiences with fellow men and also do some charity activities together.

In a separate interview a member from Mzedi Parish in Bangwe Deanery of the Blantyre Archdiocese, Stephano Kashoni acknowledged the role the association has played in his spiritual life, saying it has increased his spiritual growth.

“The lessons conducted during our meetings have helped me to find solutions to challenges that I   face in my life as an individual and as a family,” said Kashoni.

The CMA celebration is an annual event held on May 1 to commemorate the good work which was done by ‘St Joseph the Worker’ and globally it coincides with the commemoration of World Labour Day.

Theme for this year’s event which started with a Holy Mass was taken from the book of Joshua Chapter 15 Verse 24: ‘But as for me and my household, will serve the Lord’ and it was attended by a priest and two nuns from Dzobwe Parish of Tete Diocese in Mozambique and various representatives from all the eight dioceses of the Catholic Church in the country.