The Priests, Religious and Lay Faithfuls of Oluyole, Oke-Ado, and Igboora Deaneries, ably led by the Vicar General and Dean of Oluyole Deanery, V. Rev. Fr. Gregory Oyelami; Dean of Oke-Ado Deanery, Rev. Fr. Matthew Oniseitan; Dean of Igboora Deanery, Rev Fr. Vincent Alabi and V. Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade, Archdiocesan Pastoral Secretary visited SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary to present food items to the Staff and Students of the Seminary on 24th October, 2024.

 

The Archdiocesan Pastoral Secretary, V. Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade, who also welcomed the visitors noted that different groups from the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan had earlier made the first presentation in May with the arrangement that throughout the year different Deaneries will replicate the visitation that was made by the Central Deanery at that time.

Fr. Omolade expressed gladness that the South Deanery has come as promised although due to the changes in the Archdiocese, the presentation is being made by the 3 Deaneries recently created, namely Oluyole Deanery, Oke-Ado Deanery and Igboora Deanery. He also acknowledged the presence of Rev. Fr. Charles Acheneje, SMA, a priest from the Oke-Ado Deanery.

 

The Dean of Igboora Deanery, Rev. Fr. Vincent Alabi on behalf of the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel 'Leke Abegunrin; the Vicar General, V. Rev. Fr. Gregory Oyelami; Deans, Priests and Lay Faithful of Oluyole, Oke-Ado and Igboora Deaneries presented the food materials to the Formators and the Seminarians of SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan.

 

Rev. Fr. Vincent Alabi thanked God for the opportunity given to the priests and the lay faithful of the three Deaneries to be able to gather the food materials.

The Dean acknowledged that formation at this time with the current economic hardship in the country is a very difficult one, especially, that when there is no adequate feeding, learning can be a real herculean task.

"If students do not feed well, they won't be able to learn well and the formation will be somehow stalled which necessitated the presentation of the food materials to the Seminary". He stated.

 

Fr. Alabi prayed that God will continue to bless the Formators and all the Students as he also prayed for divine blessing for those who made the foodstuffs available. He reiterated that the foodstuffs will go along way to support the Seminary to be able to cater for the wellness and the well-being of the Staff and Students.

"So, on behalf of the Archbishop, the Vicar General, and all the Priests and Lay Faithful, we present these gifts to you dear Rector, thank you and God bless". Fr Alabi concluded.

In his response, the Rector of SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary Bodija, Ibadan,V. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele, couldn't hide his joy to the visitors as he expressed his deep appreciation of the wonderful initiative of the Archdiocese of Ibadan. He noted that he is aware of the current market prices of food items as he signs the requisition of the Seminary weekly. This, he said has left him amazed at the quantity and quality of the food materials being presented to the Seminary.

 

The Rector acknowledged that this represented the magnitude of goodwill that the Seminary is enjoying from the Archdiocese of Ibadan as similar gesture was made in May. He stated that the goodwill behind the gesture is what is more important to the Seminary as he noted how difficult things are in the country presently. "Things are very difficult out there, now you can imagine what all these will do to us and the formative lesson this is sending to our students, that even when things are difficult in the country, one can still receive kindness." The Rector declared.

 

V. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele further expressed his thanksgiving to the Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel 'Leke Abegunrin who has always talked about the gesture of kindness which he unceasingly gives to the Seminary and bringing to fulfillment his promises to make the Deaneries toe the same path. He noted that the Archbishop never failed to remind the priests, religious and Lay Faithful of Ibadan Archdiocese of the welfare of the Seminary. "You won't believe the quantum of generosity to the Seminary that comes from Baba (Archbishop Gabriel 'Leke Abegunrin), we are very much appreciative." V. Rev. Fr. Igbekele said.

 

The Rector also thanked the Vicar General, V. Rev. Fr. Gregory Oyelami; the Pastoral Secretary, who is also the Vice President of the Alumni Association of SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary Bodija, V. Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; the Deans of the three Deaneries, Priests, and Lay Faithful of Ibadan Archdiocese for making the initiative a reality.

He promised that the Seminary will continue to support the Archdiocese and equally promised to continue to re-dedicate the Seminary to the work of God that the Church has given to the Seminary.

V. Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele called for the extension of the Seminary's heartfelt gratitude to all the parishes in the three Deaneries for the wonderful show of generosity with a promise to write personal appreciation letters to the three Deaneries.

He prayed for the blessing of God for the Archdiocese, the Archbishop, Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan.