… Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on 15 Faithful

…Blesses Chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

By Mercy Hill / Sophia Ugwuoke

The Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, last Sunday paid a Pastoral visit to St. Andrew’s Parish, Isiagu, Awka South L.G.A in Anambra State.

The bishop in the visit used the occasion to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on 15 faithful as Ambassadors of Christ, as well as blessed the Chapel of Perpetual and Eucharistic Adoration which was donated by Sir and Lady Okechukwu Ifeatu in loving memory of their late father, Chief Benedict Nwoye Ifeatu.

In his homily during the Mass, Bishop Ezeokafor, who centered his reflection on the reading for the day, emphasized the nothingness in life and about seeming treasures of life. He cautioned against storing riches, creating paradise and living in plenty, while forgetting the essence of God’s wish and the importance of the actual wealth of restoring peace and tranquility of the human soul.

He reminded the congregation on the need to imbibe rich morals, strong Christian faith and fighting hard against the dangerous urge of covetousness. He said the Bible clearly referred to all those as vanity.

Bishop Ezeokafor however advised that in all their struggles of life, they should dare to be the best at what they did, noting that hard work always bred rewards, as well as a future, honour and fame.

The bishop noted he was happy to be among them since he last visited ten years ago. He commended the parishioners for their work in the church, such as building the church edifice, school and the chapel built by Sir and Lady Okechukwu Ifeatu on behalf of their late father, Chief Ifeatu. He commended the choir for how they sang melodiously even at their young ages.

In his vote thanks, the parish priest, Rev. Fr Moses Iloka, thanked in a special way, the Bishop for his visit to the parish and then welcomed priests, religious, the parish pastoral council and the faithful who had joined them to celebrate the Mass. In a special way he also thanked all who had been instrumental to the parish’s growth and commended the family that built the chapel for the church.

Speaking during the reception, the parish pastoral council, represented by their secretary, welcomed the Bishop to the parish and prayed that his fatherly visit would bring many blessings and growth to the parish and to Isiagu Community at large. They presented their gifts and wished that he visited the parish as often as he could.

Highpoint of the event was the launch to raise funds for the development of the parish, presentation of gifts, as well as welcome songs and dances from the women.