Catechist Patrick AKPAH

 

It was indeed a time of celebration and thanksgiving to God, for the many favours and God’s goodness to the young Parish. As the parish thanked God in celebration to mark the feast of their patron saint.

The feast day proper of Saint Theresa of the child Jesus was on the 3rd October 2025, during the Mass, the parish priest Fr Claudius Uwaoma talked briefly about the background of Saint Theresa. Saint Theresa had wonderful parents who were very faithful members of the Church and she looked up to them.  The life of St. Theresa and her parents who are also Saints should inspire us to walk the path of Sainthood.

Recall that on the 29th of April 2025, the Chief Shepherd of Ibadan Archdiocese Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin was at Saint Theresa Awotan to lay a foundation for the parish rectory. with determination and faith, the parish priest and the parishioners prayed and worked in agreement as the parish priest  challenged the parishioners.  He said “this rectory will be blessed on the feast of Saint Theresa come October this year”, with nothing at hand but faith in God, October 3rd beckoned, exactly 5 months after the laying of the foundation,  the Archbishop came to bless the new rectory and also conferred the sacrament of confirmation on 44 candidates.

The day began with holy Mass, The parish priest Father Claudius Uwaoma welcomed his Grace Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, the Archbishop of Ibadan, The Dean of Mokola Deanery Rev. Fr. Abiodun Ademoye OP, the Delegate Superior of Schoenstatt Rev. Fr. Charles OZIOKO Isch, Rev. Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwuoke Isch, Rev. Fr. Christian Dansuma Opanachi ISch and all the visitors and parishioners.

PRESENTING THE CANDIDATES

 Immediately after the gospel reading, Fr Charles OZIOKO,  presented the candidates to his Grace for the sacrament of confirmation.

The Chief Shepherd in his homily congratulated the candidates and reminded all that the minimum age for confirmation is 14 years, he said at his own time, the minimum age for the reception of sacrament of confirmation was 18 years but today the Church considers 14 years due to the age we are today, where there is availability of learning tools and exposures. He advised those who have received the sacrament of confirmation many years ago and might have forgotten what happened to them, to pay attention, So that they could remember what they received. What you celebrate today is faith alive and gifts from God. When we receive the gifts, we are to put it to use, if you do not put it to use, it becomes dormant and inactive and may be extinguished.  He talked about the culture and the importance of reading, he encouraged all to read more in order to learn about the Church. He said get your Bible, not King James Bible, King James version of the Bible is not complete, get your rosary we should be proud of our Catholic identity.

Immediately after the homily, renewal of baptismal promises followed, thereafter, the candidates came forward for the laying of hands by the Archbishop followed by anointing of the forehead with the oil of chrism.

The Archbishop also pronounced a Mass center at Araromi an out-post of St. Theresa. “Saint Raphael” thus fulfilling a long-awaited expectation by the people of Araromi. 

The Delegate Superior of Schoenstatt in Nigeria, Rev Father Charles OZIOKO greeted everyone in the name of the General Superior of Schoenstatt Rev Fr Alexandria Awe-Melo. He specially appreciated His brother Rev. Fr. Claudius Uwaoma for the good work he has been doing in St Theresa, putting up a rectory within five months,  it is a record that can hardly be found anywhere.

The parish priest Rev.  Father Claudius Uwaoma with heart full of joy  thanked the Archbishop, all the priests present at the Mass and the parishioners. Continuing he stated the giants strides the Parishioners are making in the Archdiocese, the parish is making impact in the Archdiocese, recently one of us Mr. Evans Ekeoba was elected president of the Deanery laity council, the Catechist of the parish recently was also elected president of Mokola Deanery, in addition, a week ago the Catechist was honored with an award as a Jubilarian celebrating his silver jubilee as a Catechist serving the Church for 25 years, he was also honored with other Catechists with an award for meritorious service in the Archdiocese of Ibadan, that was a double honour.