Having declared open the 2024 Christmas Carol at the Archdiocesan level on Sunday, 1st December, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke Ado, Ibadan, the Choir of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan held its own 2024 Christmas Carol on Sunday 8th December, 2024.

The event which commenced shortly after the Sunday Mass was declared open with prayer said by the Head Catechist of the Parish, Catechist (Mrs) Elizabeth Ibimiluyi, followed by praise and worship

The event which had the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun, the Sisters of Jesus the Saviour Ogbere, Josephite’s Seminarians and parishioners in attendance was later joined by the Archdiocesan Choir Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi.

Some of the Choirs that participated at the Christmas Carol included the Host Choir, CAN Choir in Ona Ara LGA, St. Maria – Faustina, St. Cecilia Choir of Our Lady of Fatima, Eleta, Voice of Angels, Gbedu, Josephite’s Seminarians and other individuals who made presentations to remind all of the season of Christmas and the need to be fully prepared for the coming Messiah.

The Choir Master, Mr Sam Kama gave a vote of thanks where he appreciated all the invited Choirs, the parishioners and above all, the Parish Priest. He thanked those that have sent messages and those that are still going to send message in terms of financial assistance to the parish’s Choir.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun also thanked all in attendance with admonition to the parishioners to always prepare adequately for any event in future, to make such event more colourful. Thereafter, the Archdiocesan Choir Chaplain, Fr. Ibimiluyi gave the closing prayer and the blessing.

Earlier at the day’s Mass, the Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ikechukwu, CSJ has said Christ’s coming is not going to be physical because He never left us but always with us. “He will come in another dimension, we are going to witness Him in another dimension in the Eucharist, in our brothers and sisters and on the last day.” The priest therefore, urged that Christians act on the day’s second reading which called for levelling the rough road and the valley, as the preparation for Christ’s coming is not going to be easy. “The sin of selfishness, lack of love, hatred, gossip etc weigh us down in life. All our pains come from accumulated hatred. Hence, period of advent is for an intensive preparation, when we overhaul ourselves by going to confession.”

The priest challenged all thus: “The joy of the season is not about an individual issue but communal. If you’re happy and those around you are not, it is nothing; but if you’re happy and others are happy, you’re happier. Buying a bag of rice and three chickens is not complete if those around you are hungry.”

Fr. Stephen Balogun appreciated Fr. Ikechukwu for celebrating the Mass for the day in the parish.