By Vivian Ononiwu
The Awka Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Fraternity (ACDPF) on October 23, 2023, inaugurated her Pastoral Year at St Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The event started with a Solemn Pontifical High Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, with over 200 priests present.
During the homily, the homilist, Rev. Fr. Anthony Mmoh, thanked God for the new Pastoral year of the Diocese which began in the month of October.
Citing the words of the scripture, he said: ‘The work is much, the harvests are many but the labourers are few and the people to do the work are me and you. But before we can do the work, we need faith and passion for the things of God, without which we cannot do the work.’
He stressed the need for Christians to sumbit themselves to doing the Lord’s work, whether in good or bad times, further stating that in the inauguration of a new Pastoral Year, the Lord had called all, both clergy and laity, to the life of preaching the gospel. He added that the work would not be easy and could only be achieved as they held on to Christ.
He urged the faithful to employ the gifts given to them by God for spreading the gospel and serving God so that at the end of their earthly journey they would enter the kingdom of God.
The Chairman of ACDPF, Rev. Fr. PeterVal Uzoezie, also appreciated the bishop, priests, and everyone in attendance as he prayed God to see them back to their various destinations.
Following the Holy Mass was a warm reception where priests, groups and individuals presented various gifts to the bishop, as well as other items for bazaar sales.
Highpoints of the event were the sale of different Items for bazaar, and refreshments prepared by St John Innovation Institute of Management and Technology (JIMATECH).
