Mary VINCENT

January 1, 2026, will remain indelibly etched in the spiritual and historical memory of Mater Dei Catholic Church, Gbopa, Ibadan, as the parish joyfully marked an historic triple celebration. The momentous occasion brought together the Parish Feast Day, the Laying of the Foundation of a New Church Building, and the Blessing and Opening of the Priests’ Rectory, three significant milestones celebrated in one grace-filled day.

The celebration was not merely ceremonial; it was deeply spiritual, communal, and emotionally enriching a living testimony to faith, sacrifice, generosity, and hope for the future. Adding immense dignity and ecclesiastical weight to the occasion was the presence of His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke’ Abegunrin, Archbishop of the Ibadan Metropolitan Archdiocese, who presided over the entire celebration.

A Celebration Rooted in Faith and Liturgical Significance

The choice of date added profound liturgical meaning to the celebration. January 1 is universally observed in the Catholic Church as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a feast that honours Mary’s unique role in salvation history and invites the faithful to entrust the New Year to her Maternal intercession. For Mater Dei Catholic Church, the day also marked its parish feast day, making the celebration both universal and distinctly local.

Parishioners gathered early at the Church premises in prayerful anticipation as activities commenced with the Rites of Laying of the Foundation of a new Church building, an ambitious project designed to meet the growing pastoral and worship needs of the expanding parish community.

Parish Priest Welcomes Archbishop, Clergy and Guests

In his welcome address, the Parish Priest, Very Reverend Father Martin Olowoyeye, expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for His unfailing faithfulness to the parish. He warmly welcomed Archbishop Abegunrin, describing his presence as a profound blessing and a source of encouragement to the parish.

Fr. Olowoyeye also acknowledged the presence of the concelebrating priests, including Very Reverend Fathers Joseph Akinbinu, Sylvester Odugbemi, Augustine Taiwo, and Charles Ajibaye, as well as parishioners, invited guests, and members of the Awokulehin family, whose generosity featured prominently in the day’s events.

Special recognition was given to the dear parishioners of Mater Dei Catholic Church, who were present in significant numbers, underscoring the parish’s commitment to inclusivity and full participation in communal worship.

Foundation Laying: A Step Towards the Future

The foundation-laying ceremony was officiated by Archbishop Abegunrin, who, through prayers and blessings, consecrated the foundation of the new Church building and committed the project into God’s hands.

Addressing the congregation thereafter, the Chairman of the Church Building Committee, Chief (Mr) Akin Ojo, expressed gratitude to God, the Archbishop, the clergy, and the parishioners for their support. He appealed for sustained financial, moral, and spiritual commitment, noting that the new Church structure is vital to accommodate the parish’s steadily growing population.

Archbishop’s Message: A New Year of New Beginnings

In his address, Archbishop Abegunrin highlighted the symbolic significance of commencing such a major project on the first day of the year. He described it as a sign of renewal, hope, and divine purpose, reminding the faithful that the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, invites Christians to entrust all endeavours to God through her intercession.

The Archbishop commended the unity and cooperation evident within the parish community and encouraged the parishioners not to lose heart as they embark on the demanding journey of Church building. He assured them that perseverance, faith, and collective sacrifice would bear lasting fruits.

Vote of Thanks and Benediction

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, Mrs Blessing Ugwu, who expressed deep appreciation to the Archbishop, priests, parishioners, benefactors, and all contributors to the success of the celebration. The foundation-laying ceremony concluded with the Archbishop’s final benediction.

Blessing of the Priests’ Rectory and a Legacy Immortalized

The celebration continued with the Blessing and Opening of the Priests’ Rectory, a building generously donated by the late Mr Charles Awokulehin. Members of his family were present, including his twin sister, Mrs Adeniji-Soji, who read a detailed biography highlighting his life, faith, and enduring commitment to the Church, as well as his elder sister, whose presence added emotional depth to the occasion.

In a moment that drew warm applause from the congregation, Archbishop Abegunrin announced that the rectory would be named “Charles Awokulehin House”, in honour of the donor’s selfless generosity. The declaration was widely welcomed as a fitting and lasting tribute to a man whose legacy will continue to serve the Church for generations.

Following the blessing, brief remarks were delivered by the Parish Priest and the Archbishop, both emphasizing that acts of charity such as this remain enduring testimonies of faith in action.

A Day to Remember

The historic triple celebration at Mater Dei Catholic Church, Gbopa, stood out not only for its ceremonial richness but also for its powerful message of unity, gratitude, and forward vision. It was a day that seamlessly blended worship with history, remembrance with hope, and individual generosity with communal progress.

As parishioners dispersed at the close of the event, one sentiment prevailed: January 1, 2026, marked the beginning of a new chapter for Mater Dei Catholic Church founded on faith, strengthened by sacrifice, and guided by hope.