By Fr Francis Kachere – Communication Secretary
On February 19, Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangochi, made a pastoral visit to Koche, St. Magdalena Parish. The activities of the day started with the celebration the Holy Mass, where the Bishop, delivered a soul searching homily.
In his homily, Bishop Stima reflected on the redemptive nature of God, emphasizing that “God is rich in mercy, and therefore, He wants His people to be saved.” He urged the faithful to emulate God’s nature and become symbols of hope for their suffering brothers and sisters.
Commenting on the day’s Gospel reading (Mark 8:22-26), where Jesus healed a blind man, Bishop Stima noted that the healing of the blind man illustrates the gradual process of faith, which requires patience and perseverance. He challenged the congregation to become agents of faith and hope for those in need.
As the Catholic Church celebrates the Year of Jubilee, Bishop Stima reminded the faithful that hope should be their central point of reflection. “In a world where people have lost hope due to daily challenges, Christians should strive to be symbols of hope to the hopeless,” he emphasized.
In his pastoral visit message, Bishop Stima highlighted three essential aspects of Christian life: Small Christian Communities, self-propagating and self-reliant Church, and care for the youth.
He passionately advocated for Small Christian Communities, where believers can deepen their prayer life, share the Word of God, and demonstrate fellowship and communion. Bishop Stima also stressed the importance of designing Church programs that cater to the needs of young people, who are the “heartbeat of the Church.”
Galvanized by the Bishop’s inspiring message, the faithful of St. Magdalena Parish made a collective commitment to undergo a profound transformation of heart and mind. With renewed conviction, they pledged to deepen their faith, embracing a journey of spiritual growth and maturity. Furthermore, they assured the Bishop of their unwavering dedication to establishing a vibrant, self-sustaining Church community – one that is self-ministering, self-propagating, and self-reliant, shining as a beacon of hope and faith in the region.
The Bishop’s visit concluded with a call to action, encouraging the faithful to embody the values of hope, community, and compassion, as they journey through the Year of Jubilee.