In the year 2024, Very Rev Fr. Pablo Pol, the Provincial Superior of Schoenstatt, Argentine Province (Nigeria is Delegation under the Argentine Province), visited St. Theresa Awotan. On Sunday 26th January, 2025 he visited again with Fr. Mathias Clavijo ISch the Provincial Bursar, an Argentine who is visiting Nigeria and Africa for the first time.

At his last visit, Fr. Pablo, promised to give St. Theresa Parish a portrait of St, Theresa. At this visit, he fulfilled his promise. He reminded the congregation, the reason why he came with the portrait of St. Theresa all the way from Rome.

The Homilist, Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke ISch, in his homily reminded the people that this Sunday, is the Sunday of the word of the GOD. It is a day we are to reflect on the word of God and live out the word of God in our day to day life. He cited an example as he said, those who are changing locations often find it difficult.... Imagine when you are dislocated from your faith.

 

That was the lot of the people of Israel when they were taken into exile and what they endured in Babylon, in this experience, God promised to restore them.

 

In the first reading, the Lord fulfilled his promise as the people of Israel were back to their land from Slavery. As Ezra read the Torah from the book of Nehemiah, the people were on their feet and they wept.

He asked: How do we treat the word of God? Do we read the scripture? Do we listen? What impact does it have in our lives? The Bible tells us the word of God is alive and active. He further asked: Where is the place of the word of God in our lives?

Ask yourself, when was the last time you opened the Bible to read. The word of God is ready to forgive and comfort us, it brings sorrow to the sinner and joy to the righteous.  The word of God must make us weep especially when we have strayed away from the path that leads us to God, let us reverence the word of God and value the word of God, on this Sunday we are reminded of the importance of enthroning the word of God in our heart and our home.

The second reading reminds us that we are members in the body of Christ, as human body has different parts, so also is the Church, we have different parts, everybody in the Church is important, the organizations and groups are all important, despite our differences we are one, and in the Gospel Jesus declared his mission. Jesus’ mission is our mission. Jesus is the word, let us try our best and work according to this mission.

 

Fr. Claudius Uwaoma, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa welcomed, the Provincial Superior and also the Provincial Bursar, and Welcomed Fr. Ugochukwu. It was a great experience, as the congregation rendered a hymn to welcome the very important visitors. The PPC Secretary Dr (Mrs) Pauline Guobadia appreciated the Provincial for the portrait and also called for help for the many needs of the Parish.

In his response the Provincial Superior thanked the people, and expressed his joy and gratitude to the people, as he said, today, we enthrone the picture of St. Theresa and with that we consecrate our children to St. THERESA. He assured us that many things will come with time.

He stated that he loved Nigeria for two things, the country is lively, the liturgy is alive, Nigerians are people of faith. In many countries of the world, people don’t believe in God any more, but in Nigeria, every street you have a Church.

In his conclusion, it means God is present in the soul of the people of Nigeria. At this point he blessed the portrait of St. THERESA and the picture was enthroned on the wall of the sanctuary.