The Foundation Stone of the permanent building of Church of Annunciation Umuguma in Owerri West LGA, Imo State has been laid.

Archbishop A.J.V. Obinna laying the foundation block as Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Opara and other parishioners observe

His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri who laid the Foundation Stone on Thursday, April 3, 2014 also blessed the newly completed Marian Grotto and Chapel at the occasion.

The prelate who commended both the priest, Christ faithful as well as the council, saying: “We are co-workers with God charged to carry out his work in humility”.

In his homily at the end of the readings, Archbishop Obinna recalled how French and Irish missionaries brought the gospel of Christ to Igboland amidst a lot of hardship.  He enjoined present day Catholics of Annunciation Church to rejoice that they have been called to play some role in sowing and watering the word of God there.

The Most Rev. Obinna pointed out that although Christ’s faithful  are building a quality house of worship to God, what mattered most was the building of their own faith.  He explained that it was the strong faith in God among Catholics that made it possible for the church in Igboland to bounce back to its feet after the devastating Biafra/Nigeria war that tried to destroy the Assumpta Cathedral.

He reminded the faithful that as the Catholic Church is an embodiment of the mysteries, they should strive to learn her teachings so as to stand firm in faith always.

Archbishop Obinna then blessed each of the structures. Firstly, the on-going permanent church building, cut its tape and laid the foundation stone amidst loud oration.  Then the blessing of the Marian Grotto and finally the Chapel.

Responding to the address read to him at the reception, the prelate expressed expectations of how the Annunciation Special Jurisdiction would henceforth grow to supply catechizers who will animate the faithful at the grassroots.  The Annunciation Special Jurisdiction is henceforth expected to produce animators for other Catholic parishes, he indicated.

In the Address signed by Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Opara, Priest-in-charge and Ezekiel Ihionu (KSJ) Chairman of the Council who also did the reading, expressed immense gratitude to the Archbishop for coming and narrated the journey of the centre so far from April 6, 2010 when the first Mass was celebrated at the temporary site.

He commended the priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. Opara whom he described as a” dynamic” shepherding guide to the faithful there.  The achievements of the centre so far included: perimeter fence round the site, building of church office consisting of a meeting parlour, chapel, father’s sitting room and administrative office, convenience for worshippers, water borehole, purchase of 50 KVA generating machine and a Marian Grotto.

The council as well as individuals presented gifts to the chief shepherd at the occasion to assist in the spread of the gospel.

Speaking also, the priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Opara, who thanked the Archbishop for coming assured him that the young church is blessed with a lot of committed Catholics.  He promised that Christ’s faithful in the Special Jurisdiction will henceforth do whatever is necessary to support the church in its evangelization work.

Other priests who graced the occasion were: Frs. Victor Eleba, Cletus Eboh and Fr. Gilbert of the Don Guanella Centre.

It would be recalled that he had earlier on arrival announced the elevation of the Annunciation Catholic Centre to the status of station.  However, after going round to see what the young church had achieved in so short a time (barely four years of existence) in terms of structural construction and  teeming number of worshipers, the prelate during the reception accorded him later promoted the new station to a Special Jurisdiction, as will likely be announced at Thursday (16-04-2014) Chrism Mass.

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