… As Block Rosary, Awka Deanery I, Holds Congress
By Michael Nnebife
It was a carnival of a sort on Saturday, April 11, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Awka, as Block Rosary Crusaders, Awka Deanery I, Diocese of Awka, held a congress aimed at making Block Rosaries across the churches in the Deanery move forward.
The dignitaries that graced the congress, themed, ”Do Whatever He Tells You”, included the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor; the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Awka, Rev Fr Rev Louis Nwobi, represented by his Vicar, Rev Fr Lawrence Akwubah; Rev Sr Rose Marilyn Onwurah; among others.
Speaking, Bishop Ezeokafor, represented by the Dean of the Deanery, Rev Fr Simon Peter Obiakor, advised the Block Rosary crusaders to emulate the Blessed Virgin Mary and also obey the Word of God and good instructions from their parents to attain greatness in life and make heaven after life on earth.
He thanked the organizers of the event, especially the Deanery Chaplain of the Group, Rev Fr Cosmas Emengini, for his passion and commitment to service
According to him, when Fr Emengini took the mantle of leadership as the Chaplain, everything about Block Rosary in Awka Deanery I began to witness positive transformation.
’Fr Cosmas is so humble; he attends Block Rosary, and visits various Block Rosary centres as seminarians on apostolic work do, to see firsthand how things move,’ the Prelate said, describing Fr Emengini as a great gift to Awka Deanery I.
In a homily during a Holy Mass heralding the congress, Emengini also advised the Block Rosary crusaders to obey the Word of God and the tradition of the Church as special children of the Blessed Mother Mary.
The Chaplain assured them that if they obeyed the Word of God and the tradition of the Church, they would not go astray in life.
Highlighting the gains of being a member of the Block Rosary, the Cleric also assured the Block Rosary crusaders of the protection and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, urging them to pray the Rosary without ceasing.
Fr Emengini, who further exhorted the little crusaders to be courageous as the Blessed Virgin Mary, so as to realize their life aspirations, charged them to go back to their respective centres and parishes to proclaim the message of Fatima and the Block Rosary.
He commended them to the motherly care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying her to always intercede for them so that at the end they would make heaven.
While speaking with Fides shortly after the second part of the event, the Chairlady of the Congress Organizing Committee, Mrs Calista Agu, identified parents’ unwillingness to allow their children and wards to attend the Block Rosary as a challenge facing the group.
Mrs Agu therefore appealed to parents to release their children and wards for Block Rosary activities, so that the children would learn more about God and get their moral aspect of life nurtured.
She thanked the dignitaries that graced the congress for their various support.
The engaging and activity-packed congress, featured the unveiling of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, cultural dances, march-past, Mary-look-alike competition, among others, in which Our Lady of Assumption Parish Block Rosary crusaders took first position in overall scores in the competitions.