St. Maria Goretti Vizuzu Outstation under St. Padre Pio Parish in the Diocese of Mzuzu has celebrated 50 years of Catholic faith and service, with Christians being encouraged to remain steadfast in their commitment to God and the Church.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations, held on 4 July 2026, were graced by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, His Lordship Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, who commended the faithful for their dedication and perseverance over the years.
In his message, Bishop Nyirenda urged the Christians to continue drawing inspiration from their patron saint, Maria Goretti, whose life reflected courage, purity and faithfulness to God even in the face of suffering.
The bishop also challenged the faithful to take an active role in the development of their communities. He encouraged them to work together in addressing challenges in areas such as education, healthcare and access to clean water using locally available resources.
Meanwhile, Parish Priest of St. Padre Pio Parish, Fr. Bernard Ligomeka, praised the unity and commitment shown by the Christians in organising the celebrations. He further encouraged them to continue embracing the spirit of synodality as they grow in faith and service.
Fr. Ligomeka also said that the parish is implementing development projects in the areas of health, education and water.
Established in 1976, St. Maria Goretti Vizuzu Outstation has grown from eight families to 78 families. The church was built by missionary Fr. Visiado and later blessed by Bishop Louis Jobidon.