Bishop Kalumba calls on the faithful to support the local church

The Rt. Rev. Valentine Kalumba, OMI, has called on the faithful of Livingstone, to continue supporting their churches,during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Local ordinary states: “we should not forget to help our parishes/ churches in the payment of bills (electricity, water, etc.) where applicable. Your parish responsibilities must continue despite the closed down. I therefore, strongly encourage each parish to strategize and find an appropriate mode of contributing, in cash or in kind towards the upkeep of their Priests. Please let us be generous in this regard”.

In his letter of exhortation, dated 12th May 2020, to the faithful in the church of Livingstone, the Bishop has strongly appealed to the Clergy to take care of the Spiritual needs of their flock. In the same breath, the has humbly asked the parishioners, to meet their Parish Obligations, during the COVID-19 close-down.

Below is the complete letter of exhortation.

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Greetings of peace and goodness to you all! 

It is now more than a month since we stopped meeting at our parishes/ churches for worship and other services due to the Covid-19 closedown. You have, missed Mass, the other sacraments and shared prayers at the Parish. In this context we cry to God together with the Psalmist:

As the deer longs for streams of water so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God? My tears have been my bread day and night, as they ask me every day, “Where is your God? (Ps42:1-4)

In town parishes, the use of Radio Musi-O-Tunya has helped a lot as people in the areas covered by the Radio can, at least, follow Mass and other spiritual programs on Radio. We thank the priests who have availed themselves for this work of evangelization through Radio and other electronic means of communication. We can even do more in this regard and I encourage everyone to be more creative. 

In rural parishes, the distance from Livingstone remains a challenge. However, the question is how can we remain in touch spiritually despite the social distance and the geographical distance between us? How can the priests and the lay leaders remain in touch with the rest of the faithful, and use their phones (where there is network) and traditional ways of communication in the villages to still share the Word of God and other faith-nourishing information and materials? 

At the same time, we also intensify our prayer life as families and communities. 

In addition to our faith-based responsibilities, we should not forget to help our parishes/ churches in the payment of bills (electricity, water, etc.) where applicable. Your parish responsibilities must continue despite the closed down. I therefore, strongly encourage each parish to strategize and find an appropriate mode of contributing, in cash or in kind towards the upkeep of their Priests. Please let us be generous in this regard. Together we stand as one Body of Christ.

Even if there is this Covid-19 closedown, the Bishop and priests still remain at the service of the diocese. Everyday Mass is said for all the faithful in the diocese. We continue praying to the Almighty and Loving God to deliver us from this pandemic as we take care of ourselves and our dear ones. 

We also confident that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, will continue to intercede for us during this trying moment and always. 

May God bless you all.