Catechist Patrick AKPAH

The evening of Tuesday 29th day of April 2025, was a special day for St. Theresa Awotan, as the people of God assembled in great expectation for the long awaited day and arrival of the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin.

The lay faithful waited in prayer through the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena for a clement weather as the whole day experienced drizzling, the Lord of host answered our prayers as the occasion witnessed a dry moment on the arrival of the Archbishop.

The Occasion witnessed the presence of the Dean of Mokola Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Ademoye OP; the Delegate Superior of the Institute of Schoenstatt in Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Ozioko ISch; The Rector, Pan- African Scholasticate of Schoenstatt, Very Rev. Fr. Kingsley Okereke ISch; Fr’s and brothers of Schoensatt in their number; Fr. Augustine Nwajagu Parish Priest of St. Rita’s Arometa; Fr, Augustine Wale Taiwo, Parish Priest St. Agnes Apete and The Parish Priest of St. Theresa Awotan, Fr. Claudius Uwaoma ISch.

The Archbishop appreciated the Schoenstatt community for their Collaboration and cooperation with the Archdiocese. He said, the Schoenstatt have been supplying services in the Archdiocese of Ibadan to many parishes until now that a parish has been given to them, now they have their own parish after many years of request. St Theresa Parish will be a training ground for their seminarians. The land on which St. Theresa is situated is indeed a special gift to us, as it is well situated, the environment is quite and serene, it will be a peaceful place to live and an attraction to many worshippers. He prayed for more fruitfulness in the work of evangelisation in the Parish.

He continued as he blessed the land and the building site, laid the blocks while other dignitaries and parishioners followed. After the laying of the blocks, the Parish Priest Fr. Claudius appreciated the Archbishop for his show of love and concern to the young Parish of St. Theresa, for finding time out of his busy schedules to honour the invitation. He offered to the Archbishop a spiritual bouquet, which is prayers and petitions already said for the Archbishop to support him in his office as the Archbishop.