‎Vincent OBANIYI

The Catholic Community of St John Paul The Great Catholic Church Odo-Aran Iseyin  joyfully witnessed the laying of the foundation for a new Mission House—an event celebrated as part of the ongoing 40th Priestly Anniversary of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo. The ceremony brought together parishioners, youth, elders, Church leaders and clergy, all united in gratitude and renewed hope for the growth of the Church.

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‎During the celebration, Bishop Badejo delivered a deeply emotional and reflective homily that touched on both the blessings of the day and the urgent realities facing Nigeria. Drawing from the challenges of insecurity, kidnapping (and he thanked God that in our region here it's not rampant as it is in other parts of the Country,) the Bishop talked on the heavy burdens placed on families and communities across the nation. He prayed for divine intervention, urging the faithful not to lose hope despite the distressing circumstances.

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‎The Bishop acknowledged the resilience and faith of the community, recognizing the roles of various Church leaders, catechists, elders and prayer groups who have sustained the parish over the years. He encouraged the faithful to continue supporting the Church, emphasizing that the growth witnessed today symbolized by the foundation of the Mission House is a testimony to God’s faithfulness even in difficult times.

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‎He reminded the congregation that the Church must remain a place of solidarity, compassion and support for one another. Though the nation may be troubled, he said, the people of God must not give in to fear. Instead, he called on them to stand firm in prayer, unity and commitment to building a better future for coming generations.

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‎Mr. Patrick Ojekunle, a long-standing member of the Church, expressed his happiness over the tremendous growth the parish has experienced in the past decade. He noted that the Mission House has been a long-awaited project for the community, with preparations beginning long before the groundbreaking. He thanked the Bishop for blessing the event and including it as part of his 40th Priestly Anniversary celebration. Patrick prayed that by God’s grace, the building would be completed by the same time next year.

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‎Mr. Samuel Dagunduro, President of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Iseyin Deanery, also spoke with gratitude. Reminiscing on the early days of the parish when many members moved from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Isalu. He recalled the dedication shown by then-Brother Laolu—now a priest—who went from house to house encouraging families to join and remain committed. He expressed great joy that the Mission House, long desired by the community, has finally begun to take shape and thanked the Bishop for his constant fatherly presence.

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‎Mrs. Ajeigbe Christiana, Secretary of the Building Committee, noted that in her three years as a member of the parish, she has witnessed numerous signs of God’s blessings. She described the Mission House project as further proof of God’s greatness in the community. She thanked the Bishop and offered heartfelt appreciation to Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, praying that God continues to strengthen and use him mightily in His vineyard.

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‎From the youth, Victor Abilawon shared his memories of growing up in the Church. Having been a child during the early years of the parish, he expressed gratitude for the care and mentorship of Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, who has guided the youth with dedication and warmth. He also thanked the Bishop for always standing by the community and described the Mission House foundation as a moment of great joy for all.

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‎In his vote of thanks, Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo expressed deep appreciation to the Bishop for gracing the occasion and for including the Mission House Foundation laying among the events marking his 40th Priestly Anniversary. He praised the parishioners for their unity, generosity and commitment to the growth of the Church.

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‎As the ceremony concluded, the atmosphere was filled with hope, gratitude and renewed determination. The foundation of the Mission House stands not only as a physical structure but also as a symbol of faith, resilience and the unwavering commitment of the Catholic community to advancing the mission of Christ in challenging times.