Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

    The parish priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun has enjoined the parishioners to do away with wickedness, destruction and envy among them for such will bring no peace. The priest made the call on Sunday, 10th May, 2026 in the parish while delivering his homily with the theme “True love is Divine”.

         Fr. Balogun said true love is only found in God, hence human being were created out of love but because of man’s pride, man has become small gods to their fellow human being.

        The priest explained further that when Christ came to the world, He reduced all the laws; which are numerous, to love of God and love of neighbours. “As citizens, we refuse to keep little laws but we blame Abuja. We drop refuse inside the gutter which eventually harm our fellow man. We often see law as a burden because we don’t love, care or cherish ourselves, but law is to make us free, and not cage us. It is not just the government, even the followers are more terrible than the leaders”, the cleric stated.

       The homilist reminded the faithful of Christ words, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. He added that though sometimes, we face challenges that will push us but with love we can overcome. He advised the parishioners to change from wickedness, take their problems to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and to pray before Mother Mary to intercede for them, more so, that the parish’s Tabernacle and Grotto of Our Lady of Grace had just been blessed by the Archbishop few days back. “It is not for fashion but for devotion. If you have faith, hope but no love, you are nothing. Have goodwill to others, wish others good and leave the rest to God.” The priest enjoined.

The parish priest also appreciated the parishioners for coming around for the blessing of Tabernacle and Grotto on Thursday, 7th May, 2026 and admonished all to make proper use of the facilities.

At the day’s Mass, the family of Olasiji brought their child to the Church for blessing, while the family of Oyempemi also thanked God as the family remembers Late Pa Timothy Oyempemi who died exactly two years ago. The Families were joined in thanksgiving by the entire parishioners.