A three-day Second Annual National Delegates Conference of the Confraternity of the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague has ended in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The conference which was attended by delegates from 12 Catholic dioceses in Nigeria, took place from June 7-9, 2013 at the Maria Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Owerri

The highlights of the activity-packed conference were: fund raising and the delegates meeting.  These were preceded by a talk delivered by the Owerri Archdiocesan Chaplain of the confraternity, Rev. Fr. Henry Opara, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Umuawuka, Emii on the second day of the event.  Its title was: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10).

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace Most Rev. A.J.V. Obinna was represented at the occasion by the Vicar-General, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Ibole who presided over the Eucharistic celebration which kick-started the occasion.

Fr. Ibole concelebrated with Fr. Henry Opara and Fr. Ilo Didacus, Owerri Archdiocese and Awka Diocesan Chaplains respectively.

In his remarks, the Vicar-General welcomed the representatives of the various dioceses in the country and urged them to make more efforts to propagate the devotion in many parishes in the Owerri Archdiocese, starting from his own, the Sacred Heart Parish Akwakuma.

Preaching the homily, the Diocesan Chaplain for Awka, Rev. Fr. Didacus Ilo, reflected on the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, urged all Christians to imbibe the spirit of humility, piety and love.

According to him, those are the highest instruments to destroy the works of satan.

In his vote of thanks, the Owerri Archdiocesan President of the confraternity thanked Archbishop Obinna, the Vicar-General and all who assisted to make the conference a success.  He prayed the good Lord to grant journey mercies to the delegates as they return to their various destinations.

It would be recalled that the Chaplain of Owerri Diocese, Rev. Fr. Henry Opara at the beginning of the Mass, expressed gratitude to the Local Ordinary for his support for the confraternity and asked the Vicar-General to extend their appreciation to the Archbishop.

The dioceses that participated in the conference are: Abuja, Aba, Auchi, Uromi, Benin, Lagos, Iselle-Uku, Umuahia, Ahiara, Awka, Onitsha and Port Harcourt.

It would be recalled that Fr. Opara in treating the topic: “That I may know Him and the Powers of His Resurrection” (Phil 3:10) adopted the following sub-headings to drive home his points: Was it necessary for Paul to know Christ?  Prayer life, knowing Christ helps you to develop your faith, knowing Christ will help us to aim at Christian perfection, the power of his resurrection and conclusion.

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