The Parish Priest, the parishioners, the Catholic faithful of Madonna Parish, and the entire members of Umukabia Community of Ehime Mbano on December 3, 2023, warmly welcomed the presence of His Lordship, Most Rev. Solomon Amamchukwu Amatu, the Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese on his fourth Pastoral visit to their parish.
The Holy Mass, presided by the bishop, commenced at their magnificent church building at exactly 10:00 am, with the parish priest and the Vicar General II flanking the bishop.
Speaking during his homily, the bishop reminded the congregation of the spiritual significance of these last days of the year, and early days of the Church’s Calendar. He encouraged them all to utilize the period of Advent as a sacred time in preparation for the final coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The bishop noted the fact that people generally prepare for the festivities of Christmas, neglecting the one thing that is of utmost importance: the sanctification of their souls. He therefore charged the gathered congregation to utilize the grace of this sacred moment to come back to their God in humility and repentance, so that the Lord would wash them through the ministry of the Church in the sacrament of Penance, more generously celebrated this season as ‘Christmas Confession.’
The Bishop spoke of the need for spiritual attentiveness and alertness. He likened this call to a certain popular jingle used during the Nigerian Biafra Civil War. It was a call on the people to always be awake to watch out for their lives. And so, the bishop emphasized the message of the Gospel reading as a call for all Christians to be ready for the second coming of the Lord in glory; highlighting the seriousness of that moment. This seriousness he says, is reflected in the emphatic way the author of Mark’s gospel puts this invitation for spiritual awakening of the faithful. ‘Stay awake,’ he emphasized.
Other highlights of the event include:
– the solemn Confirmation of 40 Candidates
– an Address of welcome and packages of goodwill presented to the bishop
– photo shots of the bishop with the newly confirmed and the priests, and guests present
– warm reception of His Lordship by the Parish Council, at the end of the ceremony.
The priests who attended the ceremony include:
– Very Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Nnaemedo, Vicar General II
– Very Rev. Fr. Princewill Iwuanyanwu, Chancellor/Secretary
– Very Rev. Fr. Chibuike Uwakwe, Diocesan Finance Administrator
– Very Rev. Msgr. Cletus Ehiem (Finance Consultant)
– Rev. Fr. Callistus Ogu (junior), Parish Priest