Sunday November 5th 2023; the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time witnessed the pastoral visit of Bishop Michael Bibi to Holy Family Parish New Town Limbe, where the Prelate celebrated the Eucharist with the Christians in thanksgiving to the Almighty Father for all He has done in their lives and the life of the Church.
The Eucharistic celebration was an opportunity to remind parishioners of Gods greatest gift ; the gift of belief, which forms a foundation of trust in God even in times of trials and difficulties. The Christians were called to believe in what they teach, teach what they believe and to practice what they believe. This act of witnessing to their believe was a major call to priests, religious and Christians of this community and beyond so that their words and actions may be in conformity with their belief and a source of inspiration for others to emulate and grow their spirituality.
Drawing from the letter of St. James 1: 22, the prelate called on Christians not to be listeners of the word but doers of what God’s Word demands. He emphasized that everyone is a leader in different capacities and thus their actions must reflect the teachings of the Gospel.
Leadership he reiterated is not an act to suppress the weak but that to serve in togetherness and humility for everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord. At the level of the family which is the first institution to train leaders, the church calls on all to teach children to lead in humility. He further expressed , parishes , small Christian communities, prayer and action groups and everyone in the church must work in the spirit of synodality for the growth of the church. The Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish Rev. Fr. James Chikezie, expressed thanks to the prelate for all the works of evangelization in the diocese and promised to continue the support for his vision for the growth and good of the Diocese.
The pastoral visit was also an opportunity for Bishop Michael Bibi to visit some of the arms of the Holy Family Parish. A brief stop was made at the St Philomena Nursery and Primary School where the pupils sang songs of joy; an expression of happiness to have their proprietor on campus.
Another stop was made at the St. Philomena Business Centre where the prelate visited the Regina Pacis Micro Finance and other shops at the Centre and prayed with the occupants for God to guide and bless them in all their endeavors.