Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Parish Priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun has admonished Catholic faithful to emulate the models of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and that of Most Holy Trinity. The priest made this admonition while reflecting on the theme: “Holy Trinity: Perfect Love, Harmony, Respect and Peace!” during the celebration of The Most Holy Trinity in the parish, on Sunday 15th June 2025.

Fr. Balogun, who stated that the Church is a family and Community of God’s people explained that the mystery of Holy Trinity is beyond human reasoning, and as such man just have to believe it, for the way God does His things, no one can explain. “The concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in Christianity reflects perfect love, harmony, and unity, serving as a model for relationships and community. This divine unity, where each person of the Trinity exists in perfect love and harmony with the others, is a blueprint for how believers can strive for unity, peace, and loving relationships among themselves.”

As the Sunday also coupled as Fathers’ Day, the priest noted that as the Church remembers God the Father, who always remains with us, the fathers too should examine how they are performing their roles in the family.

According to Fr. Balogun, God is beyond us. He cannot be held but to have faith in Him. “God has come to us and remain with us in the Eucharist. Are you available to receive Him? The priest asked. He added that life is a relationship the same way love is a relationship. Hence, he said “We cannot see God but we see Him in our fellow human being and as such, the charge before all is how to form a good community in our various homes and parishes.

The priest condemned the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, stating that there is no need for such war if we truly live in perfect love, perfect harmony and perfect peace. “The challenge before us today is how to form a good community on earth, where true love, respect, harmony and peace exists. It begins with the peace and harmony within you, your home, your society, your Church community, and extends to the world. There is so much war, unrest, conflict in our families and the world at large today. The disunity we see among Christians today is so scandalous. Jesus prayed for Oneness and love, "That they may be one!" Remember, "United we stand, divided we fall/fail." Lasting peace/harmony only comes with Love in action.”

The Parish Priest congratulated fathers and urged them to be good fathers to their wives and children. The fathers also had a thanksgiving in addition to birthday thanksgiving by Mrs C. Adedeji.

Two Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus the Saviour Rev. Srs. Emmanuella Ibeawuchi, SJS and Angelita M.E. Obodo, SJS also had the renewal of their vows during the Mass, conducted by the Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ikechukwu, CSJ.