Michael OKEOLA

 

The Catholic faithful of Oyo Deanery gathered in an atmosphere of prayer, evangelization, and joyful fellowship on Thursday, 21st May 2026, as St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Iware, under St. Patrick Parish, Fiditi, hosted the much anticipated Pentecost Outreach. Built around the theme, “The Work of the Holy Spirit Among the People of God,” the outreach became far more than a scheduled deanery activity; it unfolded as a living witness of the Church’s mission, a celebration of unity, and a renewed encounter with the presence of the Holy Spirit among God’s people.

 

The event drew together a remarkable assembly of clergy, Religious Sisters, and faithful parishioners from across the entire Deanery. Present at the outreach were Rev. Fr. Jude Martin Awua, Dean of Oyo Deanery; Rev. Fr. Julius Olayinka, Cathedral Administrator; Rev. Fr. Benjamin Jolasun, Host Parish Priest; Rev. Fr. Thomas Popoola, Guest Speaker and Homilist; Rev. Fr. Leo Eke; Rev. Fr. Matthew Oladosu; Rev. Fr. Samson Ojo; Rev Fr. Anthony Olanrewaju; Rev. Fr. John Alayande; Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adeleke; and Rev. Fr. Raphael Akinyemi, alongside numerous Religious Sisters and lay faithful whose presence filled the venue with enthusiasm, devotion, and a visible sense of Christian communion.

 

The outreach began with an energetic evangelization exercise that immediately set the tone for the day. Rather than remaining within the Church premises, participants embraced the missionary spirit of Pentecost by taking the Gospel directly into the community. Priests, religious sisters, and parishioners formed groups and moved through different parts of Iware in an Evangelization Walk, visiting homes and engaging residents with messages of hope, faith, repentance, and the enduring love of Christ. Through songs, personal encounters, prayers, and conversations, the outreach reflected the identity of the Church as a people sent forth to proclaim the Good News and make Christ present in everyday life.

 

Following the evangelization exercise, participants returned to the Church and entered into a period of spiritual preparation through the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Novena to the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere shifted into deep reverence and expectation as the faithful united in prayer, seeking the guidance, renewal, and transforming grace of the Holy Spirit before the celebration of the Eucharist.

 

The spiritual climax of the outreach came with the celebration of the Holy Mass, where the gathered faithful offered thanksgiving to God and reflected deeply on the mystery and power of Pentecost. Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Thomas Popoola preached extensively on the theme of the day, offering a rich reflection titled “The Works of the Holy Spirit Among the People of God.” His message drew from Scripture and pastoral teaching to remind the congregation that the Holy Spirit is not merely an abstract idea or symbolic presence but the living and active Person of the Blessed Trinity who continually works within the Church and in the lives of believers.

 

He explained that the Holy Spirit remains central to the life of faith. He described the Spirit as the One who gives new birth through conversion and salvation, transforming hearts and making believers new creations in Christ. He emphasized that spiritual growth cannot occur apart from the action of the Holy Spirit, who leads people from sin into renewed life with God.

 

The homilist further reflected on the Spirit’s role as teacher and guide, explaining that understanding God’s Word and living according to divine truth becomes possible through the Spirit’s direction. He reminded the faithful that believers are not expected to rely solely on human wisdom or strength but are continually sustained by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit.

 

Speaking further, he explained that the Holy Spirit empowers Christians, grants strength to resist temptation, perseverance during difficulties, and courage to remain faithful even in moments of uncertainty.

He also reflected on the fruits of the Holy Spirit visible in the daily life of believers, describing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as practical evidence of God’s presence at work within individuals and communities.

Fr. Popoola further reminded the congregation that the Holy Spirit remains the Comforter promised by Christ, offering peace during suffering, encouragement during hardship, and strength during seasons of discouragement.

 

As he concluded, Fr. Popoola encouraged everyone present not to treat Pentecost as merely a historical celebration but as a continuing reality.

At the end of the Mass, the Host Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Jolasun, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed heartfelt appreciation to Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, whose support and blessings accompanied the outreach despite his absence.

Adding his voice, the Dean, Rev. Fr. Jude Martin Awua, conveyed the fatherly greetings and blessings of the Bishop to the faithful of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Iware, and all participants present.