DIOCESAN
NEWS
Bishop Urges Christians To Shun Hypocrisy,430 Confirmed
At Our Lady Of Victory Amumara
Umuokirika Catholic Youths Celebrate Feast Of St. Valentine
Cleric Encourages Marital Virtues
The Glorious Exit Of Nze Albert Ezeji Ukaegbu
Bishop
Urges Christians To Shun Hypocrisy,430 Confirmed At Our Lady Of Victory Amumara
His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. V.A. Chikwe the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara
Diocese has tasked Christians to imbibe the Christian virtue of candor thereby
shunning hypocrisy and double-dealing. The prelate gave the exhortation at Our
Lady of Victory Parish Amumara in Ezinihitte Mbaise L.GA., Imo State on Sunday
February 14, 2010. According to the prelate, Christ's coming brought a new hope
built on Christian Eschatology. As such, Christ's followers ought to build their
faith in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. The attributes of this hope
he said cannot be gained through human double dealing or hypocrisy. Hence those
who aspire to live out their life towards this hope ought to be responsible
and honest. Hypocrisy he further said is synonymous with “neo-paganism”
which is worse than “Paganism” itself.
Bishop Chikwe also bemoaned the increasing rate of materialism which has found
its domicile amidst present day Christians. He portrayed suffering and pain
as part of the Christian life and a test of faith. Thus a Christian cannot worship
God while he or she is being immersed in absolute materialism, hence no cross,
no crown, and a Christian who professes faith in a cross less Christ, professes
faith in the Christ who does not exist, he said. Speaking shortly before the
end of the holy mass, the rector of the parish, Rev. Fr. Honoris Jimanze thanked
His Lordship for coming to strengthen their faith. He prayed God to bless and
strengthen the bishop to continue working in His vineyard. The Bishop at the
occasion also blessed the new parish car donated by the parishioners and inspected
the new father’s house still under construction.
Umuokirika
Catholic Youths Celebrate Feast Of St. Valentine
The Catholic Youths of St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Umuokirika Ekwerazu gathered
on February 14, 2010 to celebrate the feast of St. Valentine. The annual feast
which took off by 4:0pm was well attended by the Catholic youths of the parish.
The opening prayer which was said by the Youth Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Anyanwu
was followed with a well distilled lecture on the life of St. Valentine which
was delivered by the deanery youth Chaplain Rev. Fr. Obioma Enwere and a round
table discussion on the true meaning of love by youth from the parish.
Other events that marked the occasion were cultural dance by the Umuezuo catholic
youths, Lucky dip, drama, exchange of gifts among others.
The height of the occasion was the institution of the catholic youths welfare
scheme through which the less privileged amongst the members of Umuokirika Catholic
youths can always be assisted.
Cleric
Encourages Marital Virtues
- As Former Miss Ebere Njoku Joins Hon Onyekachi Nwachukwu In Marriage
A Catholic clergyman, Rev. Fr. Reginald Ifeanyi Ibe has called on newly wedded
couple to imbibe the marital virtues of fidelity, understanding, sincerity and
openness to fecundity. He made this call during the nuptial mass of Hon. M/Mrs..
Onyekachi Nwachukwu at sacred Heart parish Nguru Centre, on Saturday 13 Feb
2010. Fr. Ibe the parish Priest of St. Matthew’s Parish Umuawada Onicha
in his homily elucidated on the mystery of the sacrament of matrimony. He described
it as an action of God in his divine plan for procreation; a symbiotic union
which is geared towards human companionship and love. He encouraged the couple
never to thwart this divine plan According to him, marriage runs into defunct
via quarrel, lack of Openness, selfishness, infidelity and the like. Fr. Ibe
beckoned on them to always pray together because any family that prays together
stays together.
The wedding mass was well attended by a handful of catholic priests including
Very Rev. Fr. Akuchie Christopher, the dean of St. Augustine's deanery and the
parish priest of St. Patrick's Itu Ezinihitte, Rev. Fr. Richard Nwachukwu the
groom's brother, and other priests from within and outside the diocese. Also
in attendance were the Hon Chief Emeka Ihedioha Chief Whip Federal H.ouse Representatives
Mr. Chikere Okereke Personal Assistant to the Chief Whip and sponsor of the
couple, Barr. Iheukwumere Alaribe, PDP Chairman Aspirant and chairman of the
occasion, Hon Mike Iheanetu, Nze Law Biaduo Project Monitor, Clean and Green,
Hon Chief Richmond Osuji, Special Assistant to Governor on sanitization and
development monitoring, Dr. IK Njoku Sole Administrator Aboh Mbaise and a host
of others.
It is to be recalled that former Miss Eberechi Njoku is a twin-sister to Rev.
Mr. Ifeanyi Njoku.
The
Glorious Exit Of Nze Albert Ezeji Ukaegbu
The funeral of late Nze Albert Ukaegbu-Omeokachie I of Amawa Oru Ahiara Ahiazu
Mbaise, has been held at C.K.C. Parish Oru Ahiara on January 2010. The funeral
mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Evarestus Osuagwu Delivering the homily at
the funeral mass Rev. Fr. Gabriel Ahiarakwem described death as an ultimate
call and as such we should accept it in good faith. He re-emphasized that death
is not the end of man but rather a return to his creator. He therefore, urged
the faithful to realize that faith in the death and resurrection should spur
us to live and die in Christ as the early Christians did. Continuing, the priest
described the late Nze Albert as a devoted Christian and an ardent Christian
father. He prayed God to grant him eternal rest. Born 77 years ago late Nze
Albert Ezeji Ukaegbu until his death was the father of Rev. Sr. Silver Cinaecherem
Ukaegbu of the Daughters of the Merciful heart of Jesus Congregation (DMJ).