I have received many gifts from God. The two most precious gifts of all are life and priesthood. Life has taught me that prayer is very important and powerful weapon.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16) is the motto that has guided my priestly life since my ordination to the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Many people, now and again, have wanted to know; why and/or what made me become a priest? It has not been easy to answer such questions. However, my simple response has been that it was God’s will but I only answered with a “Yes” to his call.
In fact, I did not deserve it but he found me worthy of his great and beautiful gift of priesthood so that it may benefit my soul and those of others. I see myself as an instrument in God’s hand to save souls.  I always feel a push inside me to help people to know that God loves them and that their destiny is heaven. I just want everyone to know and believe in the God who created them in His own image and likeness.

By the way, I am Fr Clement Limbani Piruwa, born on 21 February 1973 in Zomba district in Malawi. I am the second child and only son, born in the middle, in a family of three children. Both of my parents in their late 60s are still alive. I am uncle to three nephews and two nieces.

Having finished secondary education at a diocesan minor seminary in 1995 at the age of 22, I joined St. John the Baptist Major Seminary in Malawi where I studied and completed successfully priestly studies in 2001. In the same year, I was ordained on 22 September at St Augustine Cathedral, Mangochi Diocese and immediately appointed to serve at the diocese’s St Paul the Apostle Minor seminary as teacher and formator until February 2010.

From the seminary, I served at Our Lady of Victory parish as pastor until August 2012. It pleased the bishop to appoint me for further education at DMI St John the Baptist University where I completed Bachelors of Social Work with a distinction in 2016.
If you may ask me why I studied Social Work, I would say that it was necessary for the diocese as she felt the great need to respond effectively and efficiently to the church’s social needs. I, too, always feel happy when I help the poor, marginalized and weak.
When I worked in the remote parish amongst extreme poor people, I discovered that I had passion for the poor. I always wanted to do something to alleviate their poverty but I felt lacking the capacity. When an opportunity came to study Social Work, I grabbed it so that I could help people to help themselves.

In fact, I have strong will to empower capable young women socio-economically through small-scale businesses and the girl-child through education.
I have also served, apart from the main priestly duties, in different capacities as secondary school Biology and Geography teacher, Rector of the minor seminary, Pastor, Diocesan Finance Administrator and Director of Social Development (Caritas).
About food, I am not allergic to any. I generally eat any kind of food but most preferably seafood and rice. Vegetables and fruit dessert, are but a must in the diet.
At free time, I love reading books, playing volleyball, walking, watching soccer and visiting places of interest. On the international soccer level, I support Arsenal FC of England.

Serving in the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and at St Andrew/Ss Cosmas and Damian Catholic church, in particular, has been a wonderful experience. I find every moment as an opportunity to learn and understand something new and allow myself to grow at the same time.

Every day, I see the hand of God working through the people with whom I work and serve. The parish is full of wonderful leaders and parishioners who are spirit-filled, generous, kind and loving. They are always ready to share their various God-given gifts for the growth of God’s kingdom in this area.

Challenges, yes, they are there. However, I take them as my opportunities for learning.  Thinking of working in a new cultural environment, that is, amongst people of different socio-economic and political background from that of my home country in Africa, away from parents, relatives and friends; is not easy. But with God everything is possible.  

I get comforted, whenever I face problems in my ministry, by meditative reading of Sacred Scriptures, Divine Mercy prayers and the Holy Rosary. The words of Jesus when he commanded his apostles, ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News” (Mk16:15) do inspire me.

May God generously bless you.