By Udechi Francis

The Catholic Bishop of Orlu, Most Rev Augustine Ukwuoma on Thursday, April 1, 2021 announced for the creation of three new Parishes in the diocese.

Bishop Ukwuoma made this known during the 2021 Chrism at Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu.

He said that the need for the creation of new Parishes became necessary for the salvation of souls as well as to bring God closer to the affected Parishes respectively.

 The Parishes include: St. Michael’s Parish Arondizogu in Ideato North LGA, St. Benedict Parish Uli in Anambra State and St. Michael’s Parish Okwudor in Njaba LGA.

The bishop at the event enjoined all Christians to always pray for peace in Nigeria otherwise according to him, the country will sink in crisis.

It was a double celebration as Oblates of St. Joseph under Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Province celebrated 30 years of her presence in Nigeria. The anniversary was commemorated with Diaconate and Priestly Ordinations at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church Oke-Afa Ejigbo, Lagos on the 20th March, 2021 by Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi  Onaiyekan.

His Eminence explained in his homily, the work of Levites in the Old Testament and priests in the New Testament. Levites as one of the tribes in Israel is by inheritance and the priest depended solely on the offering and contribution of the Israelites because they did not have inheritance like other tribes.

Continuing, he said, in the New Testament, the initial call to come into the priesthood is baptism and partaking in the Eucharist. And among the baptized Christ chooses some men through the Holy SApirit for special service to God as priests.

He further explained that in the tradition of the Catholic Church; there are three levels of priesthood ordination. They are; Deacons, Priests and Bishops. He further highlighted and summarily discussed the importance of the first two namely; Deaconate and Priesthood.

The Cardinal had earlier expressed his gratitude to God for the lives of the candidates, for diaconate and priestly ordinations and also prayed for their families for supporting them to this stage.

SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church is in a remote area of Lagos which many feel is too local and that nothing good will come out of there. It is not by power nor might but by the spirit of God.

The church building was reconstructed and completed within months which ordinarily was impossible but the people have developed strong faith in Jesus as the one who does great thing at all times. The Church had earlier been dedicated on the 13th February 2021 by the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Most Rev. Adewale Martins.

Parishioners of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, Ojodu, Lagos State, last Sunday joined other Catholic faithful to celebrate the grand finale of this year’s Laity Week.

At the parish, 18 persons were decorated as Friends of the Laity, while some others were recognized for showing exemplary commitment to the service of God and to the growth of the church.

Rev. Fr. Raymond Enaigbe from Auchi Diocese, Edo State, who preached at the Mass, reflected on the role of Catholic faithful as laity.

In his welcome address, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Umole, encouraged the faithful to embrace the word of God everyday in their lives, and constantly relying on God’s illuminating power in the journey through life’s turbulent seas.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s Laity Week celebration: ‘The word of God: Dependable Light and Hope of Survival in Adversity’, Fr. Umole said: “The world in which we live is one that was created by God and sustained by His word. We can testify therefore that this theme presents to us a statement of fact that resonates truth, which is fundamental to our very existence in the word.”

On her part, the Chairperson, Parish Laity Council, Lady Bose Emumwen, said it was by God’s grace that the church was able to celebrate this year’s Laity Week, given the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of churches and the disruption of last year’s Laity Week celebration.

“I am certain that the abrupt postponement of our Laity Week celebration last year due to the COVID-19 lockdown must have triggered some anticipatory nostalgia within many of us. Notwithstanding the challenges of a time such as this, we will continue to be thankful to God who has been with us all these times,” Emumwen said.