Vincent OBANIYI

 

The Catholic Diocese of Oyo witnessed a spirit-filled and inspiring gathering as the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) held her 2025 Annual Diocesan Seminar from Friday, September 5th to Sunday, September 7th at Maryland Nursery and Primary School, Ogbomoso. The event which was hosted by Ogbomoso Deanery brought together women from across all Deaneries of the Diocese under the theme: “A Hopeful Woman Walks and Works by Faith” (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

 

Anchored on the CWO motto, “Through Mary Our Mother We Succeed,” the seminar combined sessions of prayers, worships, teachings, cultural expressions, competitions, and moments of fellowship, leaving participants spiritually renewed and practically empowered to return to their families, parishes, and communities as women of faith and hope.

 

The program was coordinated under the leadership of the Diocesan CWO Executive Membes, Mrs. Dorcas Taiwo Adeyemi (President) and Mrs. Esther Tayo Ogunkunle (Secretary), with pastoral guidance from Rev. Fr. Anthony Adepoju (Diocesan Chaplain) and Rev. Sr. Mary Assumpta Taiwo, SSMA (Diocesan Sister Adviser), and the fatherly support of His Lordship, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo.

 

The program commenced on Friday with the Divine Mercy devotional prayer, followed by a Rosary procession, as women arrived from various deaneries. The solemn atmosphere quickly set a tone for reflection and prayer, helping participants to prepare their hearts for the days of renewal ahead.

 

A teaching session was delivered by Rev. Fr. Samson Ojo, Chaplain of the CWO, Ogbomoso Deanery and Dean of Ogbomoso Deanery, who stressed the importance of family unity rooted in faith. He reminded the women that their role as mothers is not only to nurture but also to model living faith for their children.

 

Rev. Fr. Patrick Adewuyi led a Penitential Service, giving participants the opportunity to encounter God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many mothers described this as a powerful moment of inner cleansing and renewal.

 

The day concluded with dinner and an executive meeting of the Diocesan CWO leaders, where final plans for the seminar’s success were put in place.

 

Saturday opened brightly with the Holy Mass, a fitting way to dedicate the day to God. The Opening Ceremony followed which commenced at about 9:45am with a welcome address from Mrs. Felicia Sobalaje; the hosting Deanery's President, greeting all dignitaries, priests, religious, and lay representatives present. Among the honored guests were leaders from the Laity Council, the Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria (CMON), and the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON).

 

The first highlight of the day was the homily of Rev. Fr. Ferdenard Olabode, who reflected on the Gospel passage according to Luke 6:1-5, where Jesus and His disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath law by plucking grains. He urged the women not to fall into rigid legalism like the Pharisees but to embrace the spirit of the law, which is rooted in mercy, compassion, and love. “Beloved in Christ,” he said, “our attitude towards the law should come from its spirit, not just its letters. When we live by mercy and love, God will be pleased with us.”

 

Faith and Hope in Action

 

The first seminar lecture came from Rev. Sr. Mary Therese Ogungbenle (OSF), Principal of St. Francesco College, Ejigbo. Speaking on the theme “A Hopeful Woman Walks and Works in Faith,” she called on women to become living witnesses of hope in a troubled world.

Drawing from Hebrews chapter 11 and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, she explained that faith is not passive but a call to action. “Faith is trusting God’s promises, while hope sustains us through trials,” she said. She described a hopeful woman as one who trusts in God’s promises even in uncertainty, lives with courage, radiates joy and kindness, and becomes a beacon of hope for her family and community.

 

Sr. Ogungbenle highlighted Biblical models such as Sarah, Deborah, Hannah, Esther, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and St. Monica, showing how each exemplified perseverance, courage, and deep trust in God. She left the women with a set of reflective questions: “Am I a hopeful woman? Am I a good example to my children? Do I live my faith with courage and joy?”

 

Health and Hidden Hunger

 

The second lecture was delivered by Mr. Etido Fidelis Udo, who spoke on “Prevention of Mother and Childhood Hidden Hunger-Related Diseases.” He explained that hidden hunger, caused by micronutrient deficiencies, remains a silent but devastating health problem. Though not always immediately visible, it leads to stunted growth, weakened immunity, complications in pregnancy, and developmental delays in children.

 

Mr. Udo urged mothers to embrace balanced nutrition with foods rich in iron, vitamin A, iodine, and folic acid, and to promote exclusive breastfeeding for infants. He also encouraged regular antenatal checkups, community health education, and practical home-based nutrition such as backyard farming and food fortification.

 

With passion, he reminded the women that proper nutrition is not only a medical necessity but also a spiritual duty: “Feeding your children well is an act of love and a gift of hope. A nourished child is a hopeful child.”

 

Playlets, Prayer, and Gala Night

 

By mid-afternoon, participants gathered again for the Divine Mercy prayer, after which the atmosphere shifted into a joyful celebration of faith and culture. Deanery groups presented playlets, dramatizing Christian virtues and social lessons with humor and creativity.

 

The day concluded with a vibrant "Gaudate Night", featuring inter-zonal dance competition and doctrinal competition, where Ogbomoso and Saki deaneries emerged as joint winners. The evening showcased not just talent but the joy of fellowship among Catholic mothers.

 

The seminar ended on Sunday 7th September, 2025 with a Closing Mass having Very Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola, Vicar General of the Diocese as the Chief-Celebrant. In his homily, he reflected on the seminar theme, urging women to courageously live their faith in a world full of distractions.

 

Quoting Christ’s words, “Anyone who cannot leave father, mother, children, or even life itself cannot be my disciple,” he praised the women for their commitment, noting that their very presence at the seminar was itself an act of faith and hope. He encouraged them never to lose hope, even when God’s blessings appear delayed: “Hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5:5).

 

Fr. Wuraola also conveyed the goodwill message of the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, who commended the CWO for their contributions at parish and diocesan levels, assuring them of his prayers. He praised diocesan leaders, chaplains, and especially the Ogbomoso Deanery CWO under Mrs. Sobolaje Felicia for their tireless efforts in hosting the program.

 

In her vote of thanks, Diocesan CWO President Mrs. Dorcas Adeyemi glorified God and expressed deep gratitude to the Bishop, priests, religious, and all who supported the program. She also paid special tribute to elderly mothers, including Mama Ojo, Mama Oniwinde, Mama Ojekunle F.M, Mama Adesokan, Mama Alade, and Mama Adesina (“Mama Amuludun”), as well as to the choir and altar servers who enriched the liturgies.

 

 

A Seminar of Renewal

 

The 2025 CWO Diocesan Seminar was not just a gathering but a pilgrimage of renewal. Through prayer, the sacraments, teachings, and fellowship, Catholic women of Oyo Diocese were reminded of their identity as hopeful women who walk and work in faith.

 

They returned to their parishes strengthened to embody mercy, hope, and love, fulfilling their calling as builders of families, the domestic Church, and society at large.

 

As the women dispersed from Ogbomoso, their voices echoed the seminar’s theme: “A Hopeful Woman Walks and Works by Faith.”