Community members in their hundreds, mainly Catholics and Christians of other denominations watched the Solemn ceremony of the conferment of the Sacrament of Confirmation on 96 candidates at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Lasokun on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.

The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin. The candidates comprised youths and adults.

Those of us who have forgotten the way the Holy Spirit hovered around the congregation some three to four decades ago at a similar ceremony saw the Holy Spirit at work with the solemn rendition of "Spirit of God in the clear running water" rendered by the Church Choir.

The oil of Chrism was administered on the 96 candidates, each holding a lighted candle.

The confirmation ceremony provided the people with the opportunity to play for our 75 years old Archbishop and wished him a Happy birthday singing the Happy birthday song for him. Parishioners seized the opportunity to take memorable photographs with the Archbishop.

 

Being Progressive to the Church

Youths have been charged to be humble and to project themselves as sons and daughters of Jesus Christ.

The Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin gave this charge after laying hands on 96 candidates in the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Lasokun on Sunday September 22nd, 2024.

Addressing the newly Confirmed, whom he described as adults in faith, the Archbishop urged them to read books about the Catholic Faith.

Morality, he said is lacking in life today, noting that many youths no longer respect constituted authority. He urged them to respect constituted authority as they do to their parents at home.

Archbishop Abegunrin also urged them to identify with the poor and deal with all in humility. As adults in faith, the Archbishop admonished them to bring progress to the Church, which is the body of Christ; urging them to always be ready to forgive, never holding on to offences. 

Speaking generally, Archbishop Abegunrin addressed the general complaints of people concerning the service of food at ceremonies. He said he had heard the grudges of people who were not served at some occasions as if they do not belong to the same family of God. The Archbishop said the attitude was becoming rampant in Ibadan Archdiocese. While some went home with the food, which as he said, "they refused to serve the hungry".

The Archbishop commended the development which had taken place under his watch in St. Lawrence these past ten years.

He however recalled that even though, some negative occurrences took place some years back, his experience at the present visit was awesome. The tension of old, he said has been removed and as he said, "the spirit of the Lord is here".

 

FILL YOUR CHURCHES WITH PEWS AND KNEELERS

Churches in Ibadan Archdiocese have been advised to fill their worship centers with pews and kneelers and not plastic chairs.

The Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin gave this marching orders in his address after celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation for 96 candidates at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Lasokun on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.

He commended St. Gregory Catholic Church, Moniya which has filled the Church with pews and kneelers describing the Church as one of the best in Ibadan Archdiocese.

Speaking further, Archbishop Abegunrin decried the human and natural disasters which has happened in many places all over the world including Nigeria. He said, "we tamper with nature, we pull down trees in our forest creating estates all over the place".

The Archbishop noted that we have not experienced 'omiyale' in Oyo state because the government had proactively channelized most of the streams in the state.