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The faith community of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh celebrated the 150^th Anniversary of the Apparition of the Immaculate Conception to Saint Bernadette, Monday evening, February 11, with The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presiding.

The Feast Day was also marked by the Church’s celebration of the 16^th Annual World Day for the Sick, where faithful, who are suffering serious health problems, received the anointing of the sick, one of the Church’s seven sacraments.

In his homily, Bishop Burbidge spoke of the importance of Mary as our “intercessor constantly pleading the cause of humanity.”

“We come to the Church this evening with the burden of our sins and failures,” the Bishop said. “We come with our physical disabilities, ailments and sufferings. We come with our spiritual darkness and emotional needs.” He added we come, longing for Mary’s intercession, but must be ready to fulfill the words she speaks in the Gospel, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Bishop Burbidge took time to thank those who dedicate their lives to the care of the sick, including doctors, nurses, hospice, health and pastoral care workers, and priests, sisters and extraordinary ministers who bring the Eucharist to those who are ill.

“Through the intercession of Mary our Mother, may our hearts and interior lives be places of praise, prayer and promise,” Bishop Burbidge said. “May we be renewed in the faith that allows us to celebrate the miraculous love of Her Son and may we always ‘do whatever He tells us.’ Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.”

Following the homily, those who are suffering health problems received the Sacrament of Healing. Bishop Burbidge and attending priests prayed over the people and anointed their heads and hands with the Holy Chrism.

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• Read Bishop Burbidge’s homily