The Archdiocesan Board of Church Wardens’ annual seminar, which had members across parishes in the Archdiocese come together to learn more about their faith and vocation had been held. This year’s seminar was held at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, Oke-Offa.

The seminar started with 208 members from 42 parishes, including 12 Executive Council members, with the rosary recitation at 9:30am, followed immediately with the Holy Mass.

The Chief Celebrant of the day, who is also the Parish Priest, Msgr. Theophilus Fadeyi, in his homily which was based on the reading of the day where Jesus asked his disciples, who He was? Stated that as Church Wardens, “We are disciples of Christ, and we should identify with Christ. By our actions within and outside the Church when officiating, people should identify Christ in us.”

The Priest added that as we carry out God’s work, we should radiate His presence in our lives and that when we truly serve Him. God would never turn us down in our times of need.

After the Mass and refreshment began a talk with the topic “Duties and Responsibilities of a Church Warden,” Msgr. Theophilus Fadeyi delivered the talk.

The Priest said that by virtue of our baptism. We are members of the royal priesthood of Christ. When we are baptized, we become Christians, children of God, and members of the Church.

The types of Priesthoods are he gave as Royal Priesthood and Ministerial Priesthood. According to the speaker, a baptized Catholic is a member of the royal priesthood, a prophet and a King.

The Monsignor advised Wardens not to judge people until they have an encounter with them. They should also not condemn people because of one single action for the person might be undergoing a particular problem at the time, or the person is stressed up, and that even if the person is as they say he/she is, we should pray for them.

As a Church Warden. He said we have the opportunity to join societies that deepens our faith and knowledge of the Church, as we are reminded that being a Warden is a vocation, and once we see it as a vocation, no matter what we encounter, we will be smiling.

“By their fruit, we shall know them”, he said. Being a Church Warden does not begin and ends in the Church. Rather, people should see it in us and our actions continually.

Attributes of a Good Church Warden.

A true Church Warden must possess the following attributes”

Must be strong in Faith. Regardless of what might be or come, you must be strong and true to your faith, as no one should change your mind about your belief.

Must be a full human being in the sense that, he/she must know that he/she is not a perfect person, neither should he/she think he has no limitations and have no problem(s)

Must be generous. The more you give the more you receive

Must be prayerful. There should be a special prayer that should be said before the start of Mass or officiating, as the devil comes to destroy and make us derail from our course.

Must be compassionate

Must be patient

Must be a person of integrity

Must be industrious

Must think of that business that will boast the finance of the association

Duties of Church Wardens:

Send delegates to the new Priest in the Parish to let him know how things are done as church warden. This will help him to learn and adapt fast.

Must position his/herself well

Avoid unnecessary distraction

Be watchful

Do constant rehearsal

Be mindful and considerate

Be accommodating

Love yourselves. See everyone as equal and help one another.

At the occasion, questions were asked and the Msgr gave convincing answers to the questions.

The vote of thanks was given while the Monsignor gave the final blessing before the group photographs