Christians have been enjoined to develop a heart of compassion, the type that enables one to feel for others and take their pains as one’s own.

Rev. Fr. Vitalis Anyanwu, Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church Ikembara in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, gave this injunction in the homily he delivered during a Sunday Eucharistic celebration.  The occasion was the grassroots evangelization visit of the Owerri Chapter of Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba (KSM) to the KSM Uzoagba Zone 5.

Rev. Fr. Bertrand Ujunwa (L) and Rev. Fr. Vitalis Anyanwu during the Mass.

The clergyman and principal celebrant, who concelebrated with Rev. Fr. Betrand Ujunwa, said that this was the kind of heart displayed by Prophet Elijah when he earnestly prayed God to bring back to life the only son of the Zeraphat woman who had cared for him during his pastoral work.  This kind of heart does not shun the needy but brings words of comfort and joy.

He drew distinction between the true prophet of God,  such as Elijah who was full of love and concern for fellow man and false prophets, such as many around us today, who specialize in harming and exploiting unwary Christians and others who fell into their traps in quest for one form of assistance or another.

He reminded Christ’s faithful that by their baptism, each and every one of them received the grace to live the life of a true prophet in whom no deceit is found.  Developing a heart of compassion was a challenge to every Christian whether in their family, place of work or other public places, adding that even at difficult moments; God knows how to make a way for his children

Fr. Anyanwu while welcoming the knights to the parish, observed that this was the first of its kind to St. Michael’s Church and hoped that their visit will not only result in assistance in the ongoing church building under construction but impact positively on the spiritual lives of the parishioners.

He commended those knights and ladies who took part in the just concluded Pro-Life Conference and Rally, adding that every true Christian must abhor the evil practices of abortion, same-sex marriage and the like.  He prayed that more parishioners may join the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba.

In his speech at the end of the Mass, Fr. Betrand Ujunwa, who is also the Principal of St. Columba’s Secondary School Amaimo, while thanking the knights for their generosity recalled their similar visit to his former parish at Ntu. He drew the attention especially of the alumni of the college to the infrastructural decay at St. Columba’s Secondary School that government handed back to the Church.  He decried the encouragement of examination malpractice by parents and urged them to speak up against such social vices.  He called on Old Boys of the college to breast up to the task of restoring the lost glory of their alma mater.

In his speech, Bro. S.A. Mbara, Chairman KSM Owerri Archdiocesan Chapter and Leader of Uzoagba Zone expressed delight to welcome knights and ladies to the zone, the first of its kind in the area.  He thanked KSM Zone 5, stating that the chapter will ever remain grateful to them and praying that the visit will bring a lot of blessings to Ikembara and more members into KSM.

A mini fund launch was organized in aid of the ongoing church construction.  Bro. John Bosco Uhie was the Master of Ceremony.

Dignitaries present included, the Chapter Chairman, Brother S.A. Mbajah, Grand Knight (GK) Ikeduru Sub-Council, Bro. O.J. Edohasim, Liaison Grand Knight, Bro. Chukwukere and the Supreme Assistant Secretary, Bro. H.C. Chukwudire.

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