- Blesses new Parish Presbytery and Chapel of Perpetual Adoration at St Joseph Parish, Omughu
The Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo has urged the faithful not to relent in giving as that is a proven gateway to always receive from God.
His Lordship while speaking at the blessing of Parish Presbytery and Chapel of Perpetual Adoration at St. Joseph Parish, Omughu in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday 28th June 2020 charged the faithful to focus solely on God as the only assured way to live above the many challenges currently bedeviling the world.
“Bishop Godfrey Okoye of Blessed memory always said ‘Show me anyone who became poverty stricken because He gave to God, I will give him more than whatever it is he gave to God.’
“You can only be richer once you give to God. One can only become poverty stricken because such person has given to the devil instead or to ourselves”, His Lordship said.
Exemplified by Abraham and Elisha
Bishop Obodo further emphasized on things essential as believers in our offering to God while sighting a practical example from the life of Abraham and Elisha.
He said; “First, you have to offer yourself to God. That’s the reason God told us in his word that ‘anyone who loves his parents can’t be mine, same as girl child or boy child or oneself’. The one who’s mine is the one who loves God more than himself. We know the story of Abraham in Genesis 18 verse 1 to 15. Abraham saw three men passing who looked worn out. He asked them to come and take some rest at his place. He was very hospitable to them. He killed his sheep for them. They prophesied to Abraham’s wife saying she would take in and give birth to a son by that time the next year. Abraham was hospitable to angels without even knowing it. In 2kings4:15 to 16, Elisha the prophet got to a town called Shunem, while he was on a journey, was too tired. a woman from the place took him in just like Abraham did the angels. She fed him. This made Elisha keep going back to that place on every journey. The woman suggested to her husband that they build him a house on top of theirs such that Elisha can take rest there whenever he came around. Her husband agreed and they did.
“One of the days, Elisha asked for his servant Gehazi’s suggestion on what they could do for the couple who took them in. He asked God to bless this couple with a child ,he did, and by that same time the next year the couple had a child.
“Therefore, whatever you do for God or in God’s name, have in mind that you’re doing it for God and not human” His Lordship assured.
Parish Priest, others thank God
Speaking to The Choice Flame, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Micheal Onoh who is the Pioneer Parish Priest thanked God for the success of the event. Fr. Onoh who earlier planned the event to hold on 18th April a week after Easter but was forced to move it indefinitely because of the covid-19 pandemic urged fellow Priests to always feel at home and be happy wherever they are posted. He believes that as a Priest, the people are welcoming and homely once you are a loving person and as well your parishioners will always show enormous love.
According to Fr. Onoh, St. Joseph Parish, Omughu is about 7 kilometers from Nkwor Ezeagu, along Enugu Onitsha express way which makes the journey to the Parish a very difficult one. He however expressed his profound happiness at the turn of events not minding the long, rough and lonely road leading to the community.
“It is about 7 kilometers from Nkwor-Ezeagu, which is the Enugu Onitsha express way. The road is rough, long and lonely but I thank God, he is on our side. Even when the Fulani headers where waylaying and embarrassing others, God continued to protect us. Though It has not been easy”, Fr. Onoh said.
Fr. Onoh was posted to St. Joseph Parish, Omughu on January 2017 as the pioneer Priest of the Parish.
In the same vein, one of the major benefactors of the project Mrs. Gloria Aniamalu Ogwuike who solely sponsored the construction and completion of the chapel of Perpetual Adoration expressed her joy and happiness for being a part of what she described as a great history.
Mrs. Gloria who narrated how her family passed through many misfortunes with her husband passing away at the early years of their marriage and the unfortunate demise of her sons who died prematurely at the ages of 17 and 25 respectively. One was a qualified medical doctor at the time of his demise.
She said after passing through the many tragedies that befell her, God still took pity on her and blessed her with a grandchild who incidentally was born on 28th June 2013 with many other successes in life. She however vowed to keep contributing immensely to the work of God throughout her days on earth.
Also, the Catholic Men Organization Chairman of the Parish, Sir Godwin Ibe thanked God while envisaging for more great things in the life of the faithful of St. Joseph Parish, Omughu as well as the Parish Priest.
A Growing Faith in the Diocese
The ceremony yet again calls to mind the many developments in the diocese. Recently, Enugu Diocese has witnessed unprecedented growth as new edifices spring up across many parishes in the Diocese.
From Parish Presbyteries to Chapel of Perpetual Adorations as well as Church Buildings which Bishop Obodo ascribed as the growing faith of the people and the abiding grace of God in the Diocese.
His Lordship however called for renewed faith and trust in God amidst the Coronavirus pandemic with an assurance that things will be better in no time.
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