The Pastoral Centre GESU’ L-HABIB is situated in Fr. Marjanu Vella ofm Street, Sliema. Way back in 1950, when this area of Sliema still formed part of our Franciscan Parish of Sacro Cuor, the late Fr. Marjanus Vella ofm opened a house for the instruction of Christian doctrine at 2, Camenzuli Street, Sliema. The following year he moved to the place where this pastoral centre stands now, that is  12/13, Rosa Street, Sliema. Eventually he started to celebrate Mass and in 1957 was appointed as the first rector of the chapel dedicated to Saint Maria Goretti.

In 1974 the chapel changed parish from that of Sacro Cuor, to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Balluta, run by the Carmelites. When Fr. Marjanus passed away on the 25th of February 1988, the late Fr. Bernard Bartolo ofm succeeded him. Construction on the new pastoral centre commenced on the 24th of March of 1993, and the first Mass to be celebrated in the new chapel, now dedicated to ‘Gesu’ l-Habib’ (i.e. Jesus our Friend) was held on the 21st December of the same year. On the 8th of January of the following year, the chapel and the pastoral centre were officially.

The premises comprise a small Chapel on ground level, with a sacristy at the back and a confessional box on the right hand side as one enters the chapel. There is also a small balcony above the main door of the chapel. The chapel can hold a congregation of about a hundred and twenty-five people seated.

Every day at 5.00pm there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with private adoration and the Holy Rosary is recited at 5.30pm followed by Eucharistic benediction. Every first Friday of the month a Eucharistic Adoration is held immediately after Mass. During the period October to June, bible sharing is held every Monday evening after Mass. Catechism classes are held twice a week on Mondays and Thursday from 4.30pm to 5.00pm.

Mass is celebrated daily all the year round, at 6.00pm on weekdays, and at 7.00am and 8.00am on Sundays and Public Holidays. All the various liturgies associated with the liturgical year are held. Most of the people frequenting the Chapel are senior citizens from the neighbouring residences.

Above the Chapel there are two levels, the first one above the chapel comprising a medium sized hall with adjoining office, as small corner kitchen sink and dressers, and toilet facilities. This area also couples also as an extension of the chapel. Persons who accompany small children and others who may have been unable to find a place in the chapel, can actually follow what is happening in the chapel through as system of CCTV. The second level is a wide open room leading to the roof. Both levels are furnished and can be used for catechism classes and/or social activities, and can cater to medium sized groups of people.