…Confirms 190 at St Francis Parish, Abagana
By Gloria Ibesi, Chinonso Samson and Ebube Edieh
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has exhorted the faithful to be devoted to the coming of Christ by embracing virtuous living and remaining ever vigilant, noting that the day and hour of the Lord’s coming are unknown.
The Bishop stated this at St Francis of Assisi Parish, Abagana, 3 December 2023, while rendering the homily during his Pastoral Visit to the Parish located in Njikoka Local Government, Anambra State.
On the day, being the first Sunday of the Season of Advent of the year 2023, the Bishop emphasized that Jesus Christ came to the world about 2000 years ago, adding that as the faithful anticipated his second coming, they should strive to live with the spirit of Christ’s Love for them and for their neighbours in order to be prepared and ready to welcome Christ when he came.
Bishop Ezeokafor, also while addressing issues regarding some challenges, progress and developments of the parish, reminded the members of the parish that pastoral visits were occasions when the Bishop related closely with the faithful, prayed and blessed them among other things, while the faithful also employed the opportunity to appreciate the Bishop and support his pastoral work.
The prelate also lauded the parish for their dedication which, he said, had taken the parish to its current level, even as he commended the resources of all who had worked hard in different ways for the growth of the parish. He enjoined parents to train their children in the way of Christ and with a good foundation to prevent them from straying when they were grown.
While administering the Sacrament of Confirmation on 190 parishioners, the Bishop admonished the candidates to be witnesses and soldiers of Christ by the life they lived and also avail themselves to be servants of Christ and their neighbours.
The Parish Priest, Rev Fr Cosmas Okafor, near the end of the Mass, thanked all those who had gathered, for their participation. He specially expressed gratitude to the bishop who he described as a benevolent father who continued to work tirelessly for the wellbeing of his children.
Fr Okafor also thanked the parishioners for all their hard work towards the success of the event.
As part of the event, Bishop Ezeokafor commissioned the newly constructed Parish Mini Podium and laid the Foundation Stone of the Parish Hall and the school building of Little Flower Nursery and Primary School, Abagana, a Catholic school managed by the Parish.
A warm reception of the bishop was held after the Mass, where the parishioners entertained and presented him with various gift items in support of his apostolate.
