The importance of the church on the lives of Christians can never be over emphasized as it has remained cardinal to the growth and development of Christians. Reemphasizing on this important act, His Lordship, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese therefore charged Christians on the need to always review their relationship with God through a renewed communion with God in the church and beyond.
Speaking at the re-dedication of St. Mary Catholic Parish Church building on Saturday 18th January, 2020, his Lordship who centered his message on the theme; ‘This is the House of God and the gate of Heaven’ described the church as a mystery and a true that God revealed himself to us.
His Lordship described it as a mystery filled with signs and symbols that are different, however, for one to be fully involved, he must have attained the three steps of the process. His Lordship enumerated the three steps as Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Bishop Obodo also reminded the faithful that the church is there for the accommodation and acceptance of all, no matter one’s past.
On the need to uphold holy living among the faithful even as humans, His Lordship while citing the three most powerful words which comprises of ‘Sorry, Please, Thank You’, encouraged Parents to teach their children as espoused by His Holiness, Pope Francis, said that the word, ‘Sorry’ calms the heart.
“The Holy Spirit helps us to change character to help us become more humane and human. You saying sorry doesn’t mean you’re weak, but, because you’re human and you’re accepting your mistake as a human.
“That is the gift of the Holy Spirit. When someone says thank you, means that he has a grateful heart and that is the meaning of the mass, to come say thank you to God”, His Lordship said.
Speaking further on the importance of the church, His Lordship who was visibly thrilled by the beautiful finishing at St Mary Parish described a beautiful church as a place that reflects the beautiful feel of heaven.
“When you’re in church as beautiful as this, it will feel like a heaven and you’ll have contact with God. The church is a place of meeting with the Lord.
His Lordship tasked the faithful to find God in every situation no matter how difficult and charged them to imbibe total giving as it is one thing that gladdens God’s heart.
His Lordship also decried the hypocrisy of some who make the church their threshold to showoff; he further charged the faithful to always remain faithful in all they do. They should not give different perceptions of their personality while in the church and in the society. They should be people of integrity and espouse the presence of the Holy Spirit in them.
Created in 1970 just after the Civil war, St. Mary Catholic Church, Ngwo has gone through phases and has recorded great successes over the years in evangelization. Many more Parishes and numerous outstations were created out of the Parish of which the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. John Nwafor expressed his profound Joy in being part of yet another success story of the Parish.
He further thanked His Lordship for gracing the ceremony and prayed for more blessings for the Parish and the faithful at large.
The re dedication ceremony also witnessed the administering of the sacrament of confirmation on hundreds of candidates with many Priests and friends of the Parish on ground in solidarity.
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