Michael OKEOLA

The Catholic Diocese of Oyo on Sunday, August 9, 2026, witnessed the commissioning of a new set of catechists during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Oyo, marking the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Catechists’ Retreat organized by the Directorate of Religious Education of the Diocese.

The celebration brought together catechists, priests, religious men and women, prayer leaders, members of various lay organizations, youths, and faithful from across the Diocese for a thanksgiving and commissioning Mass that emphasized the importance of service, commitment, vocation, and active participation in the mission of the Church.

The Holy Mass was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, with the Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Julius Olayinka, also present. The celebration was attended by Rev. Sr. Mary Assumpta Taiwo, SSMA, Director of Religious Education in the diocese, as well as religious from the University Sisters of the Assumption and the Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel.

The commissioning Mass served as the high point of the Annual Catechists’ Retreat, which was held under the theme, “As for Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

In his homily, Bishop Badejo congratulated the newly commissioned catechists and encouraged them to see their ministry not merely as an assignment but as a call to serve God and His people.

The Bishop used the occasion to broaden the understanding of vocation and Christian service, emphasizing that the work of God belongs to everyone and that there are different ways through which the faithful can contribute to the growth of the Church.

The Bishop also commended the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) for their commitment and willingness to serve the Church. Referring to the recently held Diocesan CMO meeting in Ijio, Iwajowa LGA of Oyo State. He noted that 99 men were present at the meeting, describing their attendance as a significant demonstration of sacrifice, commitment, and effective coordination.

The Bishop also connected the commitment of the CMO members to their subsequent service within the Church, including their efforts to clean and maintain the Church environment. He described their willingness to take up such responsibilities as an expression of their dedication to the Church and an example of how different members can contribute to the life of the Christian community.

Bishop Badejo equally congratulated the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) for their role in encouraging and inspiring the CMO members to take action. He acknowledged the support and encouragement provided by the women, particularly in mobilizing and motivating the men towards greater commitment to the work of the Church.

He therefore urged the faithful not to wait until they are formally assigned responsibilities before offering themselves for service, but to identify areas where their gifts, time, and strength can be useful and willingly make themselves available.

For Bishop Badejo, such acts of service are not insignificant before God. He reminded the faithful that “what you do for God is never lost,” stressing that God sees even those acts of service that may not receive public recognition.

He encouraged the young people in particular not to limit the idea of vocation to becoming priests or religious. According to him, vocation is fundamentally about responding to God's call to serve, and such service can take different forms.

He therefore challenged the youths to consider becoming catechists, prayer leaders, Church wardens, altar decorators, Church cleaners, musicians, or volunteers in other areas of Church life, emphasizing that God does not overlook any act of service offered sincerely.

Turning his attention specifically to the newly commissioned catechists, the Bishop urged them to approach their ministry with dedication, humility, prayer, love, and commitment.

He reminded them that their responsibility goes beyond teaching religious knowledge. As catechists, they are called to become witnesses of the faith and examples to those entrusted to their care.

At the commissioning Mass, he further encouraged them to remain committed to the work they had accepted and to allow God to use their lives as instruments of evangelization.

He explained that what a priest may not be able to do, another person may be called to accomplish, just as what a religious sister may not be able to do can be achieved through another member of the Church.

The Bishop also highlighted the contribution of Catholic youths involved in Music Education in Oyo.

He revealed that three Catholic youths were currently involved in teaching students music in Oyo and recalled how some of the youths had also spent time teaching music in a grammar school in the town.

Bishop Badejo specifically acknowledged the work of the St. Cecilia Music Training Centre (SCMTC), Oyo, a Community Music School belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Oyo.

He noted that students from different locations, including Ilorin, Ibadan, Osogbo, Abeokuta, and Akure, are being trained in music through the initiative.

 

In her vote of thanks, Rev. Sr. Mary Assumpta Taiwo, SSMA, Director of Religious Education, expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of the Catechists’ formation and Commissioning programme.

She expressed particular appreciation to Bishop Badejo for his constant support, guidance, encouragement, and fatherly leadership of the Diocese.