By Onyinyechi Ekoyo and Vivian Ononiwu
The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Diocese (CLCNAD) held her 2023 Annual Laity Seminar and Fund Raising for the completion of the Laity Secretariat Project at Archbishop A. K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Centre, Okpuno, Awka. The three-day event, with the theme; ”Fraudulent Practice; A Threat to Socio-Economic Development of Our Society”, started on 22nd September, 2023 and ended on 24th September, 2023.
Speaking during the Mass to the deaneries and regions from Abagana, Adazi, Agulu, Amawbia, Awgbu, Awka 1, Awka 2, Enugu-Ukwu, Ebenebe, Nimo, Ugwuoba, Ifitedunu, and Neni, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Dr Charles Ndubisi (Chancellor of Awka Diocese), thanked the organizers for yielding themselves completely in the work of God.
In his homily, the Chancellor charged the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, especially the newly decorated patrons, patroness and ambassador, to remember that the Lord whom they were working for saw everything they were doing and would at the appointed time, reward them in his perfect way.
He said that leadership was never in any way an easy task and as such they should always ask for wisdom from the Lord who had granted them the opportunity to work in his vine yard as the salt of the earth and light of the world which they represented.
In an interview with Fides the Chief Chaplain, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude Ezeanokwasa, thanked the Planning Committee of the 2023 Laity Seminar for doing a great job.
‘They did very well; they were led by Professor Kingsley Ikechukwu Ubaoji, so he gave that professorial touch with the administration, planning and everything, so things went well, everybody is happy and it came up fine. We talked on security; everybody to be security conscious, we talked on family, marriages and family; things that cause problems and it was a beautiful one.
It used to be a priest talking to them about family but this year, it was a lay person talking to them and I was happy because a lay person was talking to lay people and that is the beauty of it and they took the message very kindly,’ said Rev Fr Ezeanokwasa.
He also urged them to carry the evangelization of the Church to the grassroots and to the parishes
Still speaking with Fides, the President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Diocese, Hon. Joseph O. Igwebuike, thanked the Almighty God for being faithful to the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria and for the success recorded so far in the council.
‘I don’t know the right word to use and describe it. It’s marvelous and one of the best so far since I assumed office as the President of the council,’ Igwebuike said, while also thanking everyone for availing themselves for the work of God, especially the organizers of the seminar for what he described as being very perfect and dedicated.
He also prayed that God lead them safely to their destinations and to meet their families in peace.
In a joyful mood, some of the decorated patrons and the patroness who spoke with Fides expressed their gratitude to God and to the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria for finding them worthy of being their leaders and promised to bring out the best in them to ensure that the work of God moved forward, which, he observed, was the target.
The highly edifying and spiritually enriching event featured spiritual exercises, paper presentations, lectures from experts and resource persons and communique from the secretary of CLCNAD and decoration of patrons, patroness, ambassador, workshop and gala night.
