Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube
THE Roman Catholic Church, Hwange Diocese on Saturday held ‘the sacred music competitions’ where six choirs from the diocese competed.
In the Catholic Church, a deanery (or decanate) jurisdiction is made up of parishes and missions geographically related to each other and is presided over by a Dean. Hwange Diocese, led by Bishop Raphael Ncube, has seven deaneries including newly formed Empumalanga and Makwa.
The Diocese of Hwange covers the northern and western parts of Matabeleland North taking the whole of Binga and Hwange districts, Dete and parts of Lupane in Fatima, Jotsholo, and Tshongokwe.
other parts of Lupane, fall under the Archdiocese of Bulawayo which covers Nkayi, Bubi, Tsholotsho and Umguza in Matabeleland North as well as the whole of Bulawayo and Matabeleland South except Beitbridge which falls under Masvingo Diocese.
Hwange Urban Deanery emerged as the winner in Saturday’s competitions held at St Martin de Porres Mission in Jotsholo, Lupane Deanery.
Victoria Falls came out second with Empumalanga in 3rd place. Binga was 4th, Dete 5th and Lupane in 6th position. Each participating choir got a certificate while the top three got trophies. The competition song was UJesu Wasilaya composed by Mr P. N Khumalo of Lupane Deanery.
Bishop Ncube said the day was not about competing against each other but praying together. “We thank Lupane and all priests in this deanery for hosting such a lovely day and showing us hospitality. I thank all the choirs.
This celebration was a success because of the choirs. You showed your God-given talents. “We were able to pray together as we all got an opportunity to praise God together
We are not here for results and positions, we have come here to celebrate together, so results are just a way of rearranging ourselves. What is important is that we have prayed together,” he said.
Hundreds of congregants from around the diocese converged on the venue thereby promoting village tourism and supporting informal businesses in the area who were selling various kinds of goods including fresh and dried foodstuffs.
Also in attendance was proportional representation Member of Parliament for Matabeleland North Cde Sethulo Ndebele who said the biggest beneficiaries were the locals because of business. “We were here today in Jotsholo, it was a great day.
It helps us to get united as a community in Christianity and community development and enhances working together which is critical in community development. “There were many people and this helped boost local business as you may have heard it was announced that some were selling different kinds of products including farm-dried produce and other foods. So people had an opportunity to showcase and sell whatever they have from their areas and have an exchange with those from other areas which boost local income,” she said. -@ncubeleon
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