St. Joseph College, Emene, marked the Feast of St. Joseph in grand style with a cultural revivalism celebration and the official blessing of St. Thomas Aquinas Hall on April 2, 2025. The event, presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Anaezichukwu Obodo, brought together clergy, educators, students, and dignitaries to honor the legacy of St. Joseph and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the school community.
In his homily, Bishop Obodo emphasized the virtues of St. Joseph as a model of integrity, obedience, and faith. He described him as a just man who acted with compassion, trusted in divine revelations, and took up his responsibility as the foster father of Jesus with unwavering commitment.
“Do you have a dream, a life-plan?” the bishop asked, encouraging students to cultivate vision, faith, and perseverance. Drawing parallels with Abraham and David, he urged them to trust in God’s plan for their lives.
He also spoke on the role of Catholic education, describing it as an integral system that unites academics with moral and spiritual development. He underscored the importance of Catholic identity in schools, calling for adherence to scriptural teachings, theology, liturgy, catechism, and responsible use of social communication.
Addressing teachers, Bishop Obodo reminded them of theirresponsibility to guide and protect students, emphasizing that they spend more time with students than their parents. He urged them to nurture and mentor the students, just as St. Joseph nurtured and protected Jesus.
The bishop also addressed confirmation candidates, highlighting their commitment as soldiers of Christ and reminding them of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, urging them to prepare through prayer and righteous living.
In a vote of thanks by Rev. Sr. Emekwe, she expressed gratitude to the proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Calistus Valentine Onaga, Bishop of Enugu Diocese, for his continuous support. She also extended appreciation to Bishop Ernest Obodo for his inspiring homily and presence. She recognized the presence ofVery Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude Nzekwe , Enugu Diocesan Catholic Education Secretary 1, Rev. Fr. Dr. Franklin Eze, the Prinicipalof St. Patraicks College, Emene, his deputy, Rev. Fr. Kennedy, Rev. Fr. Peter Achara, Rev. Fr. Victor, Rev. Sr. Prudence Oriakuthe Education Secretary DDL representing Rev. Mother Anastasia Dike, Dame Egbue Jacinta, Principal of Community Secondary School, Emene, thanking them for gracing the occasion. She specially appreciated Mr. David Nnaji, PTA Chairman for his support towards the school. Also, Sr. Eugenia Offorjieme, Sr. Uga, Sr. Martina Onah (Coordinator of Catechism) Teachers, students, and invited schools. She prayed for God’s blessings upon all attendees and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to faith, education, and excellence.
After the Mass, Bishop Obodo officially blessed St. Thomas Aquinas Hall, a new infrastructure in St. Joseph College’s ongoing development. The cultural segment of the event showcased a Traditional Fashion Parade Competition, where students from nine other secondary schools participated, drama, cultural dance and other activities celebrating Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
During the second session of the event, Rev. Sr. Maria Petrus Emekwe (DDL), Principal of St. Joseph College, delivered a formal address, welcoming all dignitaries, including:
She reflected on the significance of St. Joseph, emphasizing his role as the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. She noted that while the feast is traditionally celebrated on March 19th, unforeseen circumstances necessitated the shift to April 2nd this year.
Rev. Sr. Emekwe proudly highlighted the recent achievements of St. Joseph College, including:
Introduction of boarding school with hostel accommodation, Construction of 6-room hostel toilets and 10-room general school toilets, Provision of NYSC members’ lodging accommodation, Fencing of the college premises, Construction of an ultra-modern hall, Establishment of a fully equipped computer/ICT laboratory and lots more.
She also outlined future projects and appealed for support, including:
Construction of staff and principal quarters, Equipping the new hall with chairs and tables, Expansion of the dormitory into a storey building.
She called on generous individuals and organizations to support these initiatives, quoting
Rev. Sr. Emekwe concluded by thanking the students, teachers, and organizers for their efforts in making the event a success. She then officially declared the cultural fusion segment open, marking the start of the Traditional Fashion Parade Competition.
The 2025 Feast of St. Joseph with Cultural Revivalism was a resounding success, combining spiritual enrichment, academic reflection, and cultural appreciation. The event not only honored the legacy of St. Joseph but also showcased the remarkable progress of St. Joseph College, Emene, in fostering holistic education and moral development.
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