Dotun LOKOSU

"A people without a culture is a people without an Identity" this sums up the atmosphere of Celebration & Cheerfulness on Sunday, October 26th, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ilupeju, Bodija Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State as the Parish celebrated her Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Mass & Bazaar tagged "Cultural Harvest 2025"with colour & glamour. The Chief celebrant at the Mass was Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin, Asst Cathedral Administrator/Asst. Archdiocesan Secretary, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu, Parish Priest and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Ibeh of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

Fr. Fasakin in his Homily expressed his joy in seeing the congregation looking beautiful and radiant in their outfits, he said it is good at all times to remember our roots and origins, he called on the people to always sing praises to God and show Gratitude to our creator who is always there to bless us, to care for us, to provide and protect us and all our loved ones, saying we are called to love and render service to God. The homilist said humility is key in our service to God, we should therefore approach the altar with a contrite heart like the tax collector in the Gospel whose prayer was answered and as children of God avoid boasting and arrogance before God so as not to be condemned like the Pharisee.

Parishioners were enjoined to give God their best like Abel so that they can reap justification as He will never demand for what is beyond their means. That they should approach the Harvest with Thanksgiving and God will reward them with Blessings and Graces in Infinite value. The priest prayed for Abundant Blessings upon all lay faithful as they contribute generously for the physical and infrastructural growth of the Parish concluding with "Give Praises to the Lord, for He is Good and His mercies endures forever".        

The highpoints of the Mass were the special Thanksgivings by the South East, South-South combined with the North and the South West Regions led by their conveners in which they showcased their rich cultural heritage in their full traditional attires, native songs, drums and dance in appreciation to God Almighty for Harvest 2025. The Bazaar witnessed the usual breaking of kolanuts, cutting of native cake, donations by various organizations/societies, the Regions and the Bazaar sales. The "Afasa gbe Jesu ga" Southwest group gave a colorful traditional dance, there was plenty to eat and drink, the Harvest committee took care of the children while the regions prepared their various local delicacies to entertain the youths and adults. Saints Anthony and Anne societies were the hosts for the harvest celebration, which was rounded off with dancing and celebration for the success of the Harvest. The Parish Priest, Fr. J. Akinbinu gave the closing prayer and Benediction at about 5pm.