Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

As the fifth Sunday of the year was celebrated, the Parish Priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun has described the Sunday as “another Sunday to be grateful to God, to appreciate God and to give thanks to God for the gift of life.” The priest stated this during his homily on Sunday 8th February, 2026. The Chief Celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ikechukwu, CSJ.

Stressing on the day’s readings, especially the Gospel reading in which Christians were made to realize that they are light of the world and salt of the earth, Fr. Balogun said the only way to show this is through serving in their own little way whenever they are called on to serve in one capacity or the other.

The homilist agreed that nobody has it all but added that the one individuals are blessed with must be put to use to gather people for Christ and not to scatter.

The priest going further reminded the parishioners that as small salt is required to make food good and tasty, there is need for them to be moderate and simple in whatever they do. He added that the same way the parishioners are light and salt of the earth, others too, are; hence, they must respect everyone at all time.

Fr. Balogun also narrated the story of a young man who recently celebrated his 40th birthday and how he observed that the birthday thanksgiving was attended by many priests, old and young; simply because of the celebrant’s service in the Church during different times that those priests worked in the celebrant’s parish and encouraged all to emulate such virtue. “Spend and share the little you have as part of your contribution. Simplicity of your action is more than speaking in tongues.” He said.

The homilist enjoined the parishioners to learn to live in love as faith lived without love is powerless and that it is not how big a parish is but how loving and caring the parishioners are.

After the day’s Mass, an annual Parish Functionaries Meeting was held with the parish priest in attendance and all the parish functionaries in both the Mother parish and the Outstations, not excluding the Seminarians of the Josephite Community. Each group presented its report and challenges and all were encouraged on the ways forward.

Meanwhile, the parish’s representatives; Francis Babalola, Emmanuella Orji and Theresa Babalola emerged victorious at the Oke – Ado Deanery Laity Quiz Competition, held on Sunday 8th February 2026 at St. Francis Catholic Church, Sanyo-Soka and will now represent the Deanery at the Archdiocesan level of the Laity Quiz Competition slated for 28th February, 2026 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Mokola, Ibadan.