It was a remarkable event as St. Theresa, Awotan, welcomed the Superior General of Schoenstatt Very Rev. Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello to the Parish. 

Fr. Alexandre is a Brazilian, who until his appointment as the Superior General of Schoenstatt worked in the Vatican as the Head of the Dicastery for Families.

He came to Nigeria for the three in one program of the Community of Schoenstatt namely, Crowning of the Blessed Mother as Queen of our vocations, Deaconate ordination of three (3) brothers and 20th Anniversary of the blessing of the Shrine of the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt in Ijokodo, and the 25th anniversary of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate in Nigeria.

His visit to Nigeria for these outlined programs of the Schoenstatt, was a blessing to the young Parish of St. Theresa, Awotan. With joy the parish welcomed Fr Alexandre on Thursday 31st October, 2024. His visit afforded the parishioners the opportunity to engage the Superior. It was a memorable encounter as it gave insights to the road map of the Parish. 

The Parish Priest Fr. Claudius Uwaoma ISch introduced the Parishioners to the Superior, and the Superior to the Parishioners. In his words, he said, in Schoenstatt, the General Superior is the number one, followed by the Provincial Superiors and Delegate Superiors. A few months ago, the Provincial Superior, Fr. Pablo was here on a visit. While the Delegate superior in Nigeria is Fr. Charles Ozioko. 

The Superior recounted how he welcomed the news of the Parish given to the Schoenstatt to manage with great joy. While appreciating Fr. Claudius, he stated that Fr. Claudius is the Assistant Delegate Superior in Nigeria. He recalled how he made a request to the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin to have a Parish in the Archdiocese. He wrote officially, but did not know that the request would be attended to speedily. 

For them in Schoenstatt, it was a desire to have a parish in their care, and for St. Theresa, Awotan, their desire was to have a priest and God answered both prayers. He thanked the Parishioners for taking care of the Parish and making the mission work possible. His first visit as Superior General was to Nigeria in November, 3 months after his election in August 2022

The Superior was taken on tour round the Church land showing the aspiration of the Parish. The Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, Mr Patrick Ofodile, welcomed the superior on behalf of the entire parishioners calling on the Superior General to assist the young Parish.

Catechist Akpah Patrick, recounted how the Parish got its name through the Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, and what led to the choice of the name; And the role Schoenstatt Father’s played at the very beginning, watering the ground without knowing that they were preparing a place for their future mission. That, he said, is God’s divine plan.

In conclusion, Mr Evans Ekeoba, Head of the Finance Committee gave the vote of thanks which he concluded with a passionate appeal for support from the Schoenstatt Institute. The Superior thereafter prayed and gave the benediction.