February 4th, 2024, provided another opportunity for the local ordinary of the Diocese of Buea to commune with faithful of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Gardens, Limbe who chanted songs of praise and thanksgiving to God as they celebrated with the Chief Shepherd Michael Bibi. Celebrating the Eucharist with these parishioners, the prelate, on a two day pastoral visit which started on Saturday the 2nd, aimed at praying with the parishioners and also to understand their pastoral concerns, encouraged them not to give up in the face of difficulties but to be hopeful that God is with them. He called on the Christians to guard against the sins of despair and presumption, which he says are sins against hope.
Christians of our lady of Lourdes parish
The prelate further reiterated the importance of prayer, noting that; just as Jesus left His apostles and went to a quiet place to pray, it is incumbent for Christians to make up time to pray and to do so in humility.
Bishop Bibi on Pastoral Visit
Bishop Michael Bibi while praying with the congregation appreciated their steadfastness in their Christian life and encouraged them to see suffering as part and parcel of Christianity. In the midst of suffering, he told the Christians not to relent but to hold strong to God.
pastoral visit
He equally rendered gratitude to the priests assigned to cater for the spiritual needs of this Christian population and encouraged them to work in unity with the Christian lay faithful.
chairlady delivers speech.
On behalf of the parish community, the chairlady Mrs. Evyline Nah welcomed the prelate and saluted his steadfastness in building the diocese. The Christians pledged their unflinching support to the bishop and gladly informed him that the parish is flourishing. To show their support to the works of the Bishop, the parishioners opened up a fundraising to assist in the production of benches to gradually make up for the 406 benches needed at the Divine Mercy Co-cathedral.
cultural display
It was a pastoral visit characterized by prayer, thanksgiving and different animations by the Christian population.
