Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

A priest of the Congregation of St. Joseph of Murialdo, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Koroma, CSJ has admonished Catholic faithful to be persistent in their prayer just like the Canaanite woman in the Gospel reading for the 20th Sunday in ordinary time, year A. The priest gave the admonition during Eucharistic celebration at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan on Sunday 16th August 2026

Referring to Christ’s response to the Canaanite woman, who with faith engaged Christ in conversation for sometimes ‘strong is your faith, let it be done to you according to your faith’ enjoined Catholic faithful to always be persistent in their prayers like that woman and that God who is not deaf will surely answer them. “Be strong in your faith, keep knocking, the Lord answers all our prayers, though, He may not answer immediately, He is not deaf.”

Fr. Koroma, who just celebrated the silver jubilee of his religious vocation on 13th August 2026 also made reference to Prophet Isaiah’s admonition in the first reading that all should do things rightly with justice, keep the Sabbath holy for his house is a house of prayer. He wondered why little time to be spent on Sunday is usually a big challenge to some Christians.

The homilist reminded the parishioners of the four pillars of the Catholic Church: Oneness, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic, adding that the Church is holy, even though its members may be sinners but the author, Christ is holy and that holiness is achieved day by day, every hour in order to join the saints.

On the universality of the Church, the priest said the Church is all embracing. One can enter Catholic Church anywhere, Pope prays for all, schools established by Catholic admits everyone without discrimination.

He concluded by saying that the road to salvation is gradual to enable all of us enter that oneness with Christ.

The parish’s family harvest thanksgiving enters its week two as the Parish Laity Council Chairman’s family Mr and Mrs Felix Oretu and Mr and Mrs Jacob Babalola took their turn to thank God for His goodness.