Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin has appealed for oneness in the Church as he said the Body of Christ is sufficient for all to be one. The Prelate made the appeal while presiding over the 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass of St. Christopher Catholic Church, Sango, Ibadan on Sunday 26th April, 2026.

Concelebrating the Mass of Thanksgiving with His Grace were Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Felix Alaba Job; the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Abiodun Anthony Ademoye, OP; Rev. Fr. Victor Ogundipe, OP; Rev. Fr. Lazaru Iwueke, CM and Rev. Fr. Sylvester Oladeji, CRS.

The parish has held series of events to celebrate the triple celebrations: the 25th anniversary of the creation of St. Christopher as a parish (April 12, 2001 – 2026); the 5th anniversary of the dedication of the parish Church (April 20, 2021 – 2026) and the parish priest’s 30th priestly ordination anniversary (April 20, 1996 – 2026) before the Grand finale on 26th April, 2026 with funfair and presentation of awards to clergy and lay faithful.

To mark the event specially, 14 candidates were also confirmed by the Archbishop during the anniversary thanksgiving Mass. Rev. Fr. Victor Ogundipe, OP presented the candidates to the Archbishop, who gladly approved the candidates for the sacrament of confirmation.

The Archbishop in his homily enjoined the candidates for confirmation to take up responsibilities in the Church; having become adults in faith by the virtue of their confirmation. His Grace urged them to read more about the Church through numerous channels available today in the world, even as he told their Sponsors that their duty does not end with the confirmation Mass but that they must continually guide the candidates in the faith.

As the celebration falls on Good Shepherd Sunday, the Prelate lectured all about the real meaning of a shepherd. “Today is Good Shepherd Sunday or Vocation Sunday. Whatever vocation you want to be, pray and make your choice in order not to go astray. Christ is the Good Shepherd. You are also shepherds in various ways; at home, at work, in the society etc. you must take care of your sheep, remove them from danger and not allow them to go astray.” The Prelate stated.

His Grace added that shepherding is not only about feeding the sheep but also in teaching the sheep other things like behavior, moral. He therefore appealed that the voice of the shepherd must be one, especially in the house as parents. He warned Parish Pastoral Council against discussing only monetary issues, writing of petitions to the Archbishop but that if something is wrong, the parish priest should be the first point of contact. “We are shepherds to one another. Whatever you’ve chosen that is good is your vocation. The Church is not a political party. We don’t go against each other. We are children of the same mother, hence, the Church is called Mother Church. The Body of Christ is sufficient for us to be one.” His Grace educated.

Archbishop Abegunrin congratulated the parishioners for series of celebrations within a couple of weeks. In appreciation of the past parish priests, Archbishop Abegunrin, on behalf of the parish presented awards, which was received on their behalf by Fr. Abiodun, to Rev. Fr. Henry Nmor, OP; Rev. Fr. Felix Onemhegie, OP and Rev. Fr. Justus Pokrzewinskp, OP. some lay faithful also received awards, presented by the Archbishop in the Church, while Fr Clement, OP at the reception also presented some awards to some members of the parish for their contributions to the growth of the parish.

There were thanksgivings by the newly confirmed and for the parish anniversary, amongst other thanksgivings by the parishioners.

The parish priest, Fr. Abiodun Ademoye, OP also gave a vote of thanks, even as he appealed that the parishioners continue to keep the previous parish priests in their prayers.

The parish is blessed, so far, with three priests and a religious, namely: Rev. Frs: Peter Akinola; Sylvester Oladeji, CRS; Sola Adewole, OP and Rev. Sr. Augustina Akinwale, OSF.

There were lot of funfairs and refreshments at the reception to add colour to the celebration; such that the parish priest could not hold back his joy as he took to the dancing floor even before the reception programmes commenced.