… Tasks the Faithful on Virtue of Peace for Better Society
By Michael Nnebife and Emmanuel Chigozie
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, has commissioned a Grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Holy Trinity Parish, Obeledu, in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, to boost the faith of believers in the community.
The Catholic Bishop, who was on an Episcopal Visit to the Parish, on Sunday, 25th May, also commissioned a Pieta, built by the Family of Sir Peter Ilozumba in memory of their mother, Lady Susana Ilozumba; and a garden for prayer.
While performing the commissioning rituals, the Bishop described the projects as a meeting point between God and the faithful.
He thanked the benefactors, praying God to reward them, and grant the humble requests of those who would come there to seek His face in prayer.
Earlier in a homily during a Holy Mass concluding the episcopal visit, Bishop Ezeokafor emphasized the importance of peace, as a virtue of Christian life for heavenly race and admonished the Obeledu Catholic Faithful to always seek and maintain peace with one another, as well as with their neighbours, for a better society.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese who highlighted some issues bothering the Holy Trinity Parishioners, also admonished them to obey the Anambra State Burial Law and that of the Diocese, which, he said, was made for the good of the common man in society.
Recalling that the Holy Trinity Parish was inaugurated a few years ago, the Prelate expressed satisfaction with the pace of development in the Parish, and thanked the contributors, as well as the entire parishioners, praying God to bless them.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Sylvester Uchenna, expressed appreciation to the Prelate for his fatherly care for the Parish.
Rev Fr Uchenna also thanked all the guests for finding time to come to rejoice with the Parish, despite their tight schedules.
Fr Uchenna appreciated all that contributed to the projects in the church, especially the family of Sir Ilozumba and the CMO of the Parish, who sponsored the constructions of the Pieta and the Grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, respectively.
Speaking with Fides shortly after the Mass and at a reception that followed thereafter, the Priest expressed optimism that those two projects of worship would elevate the faith of the believers in the community.
In an address of welcome, read by the Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs Chika Ezeorah, the Parish continued to thank Bishop Ezeokafor and commended him for his various achievements, especially the establishment of Peter University.
Regretting that some of the parishioners had gone back to idolatry, the Parish, however, told the Bishop that effort was on top gear to intensify aggressive evangelization in the area, to bring the backsliders back to God.
In an interview with Fides, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Paschal Maduadichie and the Managing Director, Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation, Hon Ikeobi Ejiofor, who is one of the stakeholders of the Obeledu Community, were optimistic that Bishop Ezeokafor’s visit to Obeledu Community would strengthen the faith of the believers in the community.
Hon Ejiofor and Mr Maduadichie reminded Obeledu youths that the days of idolatry had long gone, urging them to remain resolute in their faith in God.
Present during the event in which Bishop Ezeokafor administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 57 candidates, were the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; a host of other Religious Men and Women, the Noble Knights and Ladies of the Parish, the critical stakeholders of the Obeledu Community, who included their Traditional Ruler, Igwe Augustine Oragwam, among others.