The Parish Priest of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Basorun, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Odugbemi, has said that, dying well is dying in God. He stated this at the funeral Mass for Late Chief Julius Oladeinde Idowu which took place at St. Michael Catholic Church, Yemetu, Ibadan on Thursday, 19th December, 2024.

 

Fr. Odugbemi in his homily stated the three reasons for our gathering at the funeral as: Firstly, to pray for the happy repose of the soul of the deceased. Secondly, to remind ourselves that where he has gone, all of us will go there and lastly to ask ourselves who will be the next person. Therefore, we should not be afraid of death, come what may.

 

Speaking further, the homilist enjoined the faithful to struggle to die well, stating that dying well is dying in God which means to be at peace with God. The priest described the deceased as a man of peace, an advocate of justice, development and peace. He added that as we continue to Journey on this earth, we must be focused and that we should never forget where we are going; the Heavens. He then posed some mind-searching questions. What Legacy am I leaving behind? How many souls have I Saved? How many souls have I driven away? What will people say about me when I go?  How many lights have I switched off? "Switch on the light, let people see", he reiterated

 

Speaking on the season of advent, Fr. Odugbemi said that, our preparation for the second coming of Christ every day in our hearts must reflect in the way we treat our neighbours. Nobody knows tomorrow, so let us live today to the fullness. Let us get prepared.

 

In conclusion, the Priest admonished that we must clean our hearts. "Make your hearts a docile home for Christ". He ended his homily with this Yoruba song: ‘Ma ku rere. Ma sun sere ........ etc.’

 

The funeral Mass had the Archbishop, Most Rev. Gabriel 'Leke Abegunrin as the Chief Celebrant. Concelebrated with him were: Msgr. Bernard Okodua from Lagos Archdiocese, Msgr. Michael Okodua from Osogbo Diocese, Msgr. Theophilus Fadeyi, the Parish Priest of St. Cyprian Oke - Ofa, Rev. Frs: Sylvester Odugbemi, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick Basorun, Stephen Balogun, the Parish Priest of St. Anne, Ogbere, Paul Akintayo, the Parish Priest of St. Brendan Ikumapayi, Uchechukwu Odikpo (OP) and Charles Onyema, the Parish Priest of St. Michael Yemetu.

 

The vote of thanks was given by one of the children of the deceased, Barrister Olamide Idowu who appreciated the Archbishop, the priests, the religious and everyone who had come to honour their late father

 

Earlier, the corpse of Late Chief Julius Idowu was received at the entrance of the Church by Msgr. Michael Okodua and the final Commendation rite was conducted by Msgr. Bernard Okodua.

 

Late Chief Julius Idowu was born on 14th May, 1951 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He died on 30th November, 2024 at the age of 73 years. He was survived by his wife, Mrs Epiphania Ibironke Idowu, children and grand-children. He was the Parish Laity President of St. Michael Yemetu, till his death.

 

Meanwhile, he was formally conferred with the title of 'Mogaji' by the former Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Mogaji Ojewole Olojaoke.