Emeakaroha draws Europe to Nigeria as Chinwendu weds Chimaobi

- Bishop Amatu lauds Archbishop Obinna over Odenigbo The wedding between Engr. Dr. Chimaobi Vincent Emeakaroha, son of Prince Sir Mayor Eugene and Lady Juliana Emeakaroha and Miss Chinwendu Peace Ike at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish Umunohu/Amakohia Ihitte/Uboma LGA, Imo State, could best be said to be an international melting pot as a galaxy of Catholic clergy, the religious and academic bigwigs from Europe stormed the ceremony. Most Rev. Solomon Amatu, Catholic Bishop of Okigwe, was the chief celebrant of the Mass.  He was assisted by Permanent Rev. Deacon Othomar Josef  Ableidinger (Austria), Rev. Fr. Dr. Emeka Emeakaroha (Austria) and over 60 Nigerian priests among them Rev. Fr. Dr. Kevin Madu (host Parish Priest) and…

St Micheal’s Parish Umuguma Raises fund for Parish Projects

It was a joyous day for all Christian mothers especially the Catholic Women Organization of St Michael’s Parish Umuguma as they marked the 2014 Mother’s Day Celebration. The ceremony which stated with a Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Justin Mbonu and assisted by Fr. Henry Nwanguma attracted friends and well wishers of the CWO from and around Umuguma community. Delivering the Homily, Fr. Nwanguma reminded Christians that God sees and places more emphasis on the unseen. He urged Christians not to concentrate on the seen. Furthermore, the clergyman condemned the craze by people for material things and eye-service. Reflecting on the Readings of the day, the homilist enjoined Christians to always see the hand…

St. Theresa’s Umunakanu-Owerre dedicated

-As Bishop Amatu harps on sanctity of God’s temple St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish Umunakanu-Owerre, Ehime Mbano, like a mustard seed planted in 1923 as a Catholic mission by late catechist Joseph Nwodu grew into a station in 1952, became a parish-in-building 1996, attained full parish status in 2000, completed and dedicated 1st March 2014 by the Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev. Solomon Amatu. Receiving the keys and other appurtenances of the church from the Dedication Committee Chairman, High Chief Richard Onwuka Egbule and the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, Mr. Mike Anyiam, His Lordship described it as a “miracle church”, going by its humble beginning and fast attainment of apex status.  He paid glowing tribute…

Catholic women display football artistry at St. Joseph Parish Umualumaku

In commemoration of the Feast of Annunciation, members of Catholic Women Organization (CWO), St. Joseph Parish Umualumaku Ehime-Mbano LGA of Imo State took to the field displaying unusual football artistry. At the end of the hilarious match played at the National School ground between Umuihim and Umuoparalum counterparts ended in a barren draw. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, the Umuhim team defeated their Umuoparalum opponents  by 3-2  and thus lifted the glittering trophy with the cash benefit. The football competition involved the women from the four kindreds that make up Umualumaku Umuihim community.  The villages include Umuihim, Umuoparalum, Umudibia and Umuonyia teams.  The last two teams played the third place match with Umudibia Catholic women…

KSM Mbama zone ends recollection at St. Anthony’s Umunkwo

Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Mbama Zone of Ugiri Subordinate Council, Okigwe Diocese, converged at St. Anthony’s Parish Umunkwo, Isiala Mbano LGA, March 23, 2014 for their quarterly recollection at the instance of one of their own, Bro. (Barr.) Emma Osuji and Sister (Lady) Ebere Osuji. The event which attracted friends and colleagues of the host from far and near kicked off with a Eucharistic sacrifice which had Rev. Fr. Dr. Vincent Oguh, Parish Priest, St. Anthony’s Umunkwo as chief celebrant. In his sermon, the clergyman observed with regret that knights, rather than being supported in their good works for the church, are bombarded with barrage of skepticism and criticisms and cautioned against…

Feast of Unborn Child: KSM Owerri Sub-Council carries campaign against abortion to Girls College

The Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, Owerri Sub-Council, celebrated the Feast of the Unborn Child at Owerri Girls Secondary School on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. The pro-life campaign was led by Dr. E.C. Agulana (KSM) Worthy Physician of the Sub-Council and Lady Stella Achunine (LSM) Worthy Vice-President/Health Co-ordinator Owerri Archdiocese. They enlightened the students on the evils of abortion and the need to preserve life at all costs. To drive home the lesson, a video film produced in Kenya was shown to the staff and students of the school.  The film deals with the implications and complications of abortion. Our correspondent said the students were visibly touched by the horror of abortion as evidenced…

Be faithful to your homes and society, priest tasks mothers at St. Paul’s Chaplaincy FHE Trans-Egbu Mothers’ Day Celebration

Mothers have been advised to follow the footsteps of our Blessed Virgin Mary by being faithful to their husbands and society. These were the words of Rev. Fr. Augustine Ihedimma, priest-in-charge of St. Paul’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Federal Housing Estate, Trans-Egbu, Owerri, when delivering a homily during this year’s Mother’s Day celebration Sunday, March 30, 2014. Fr. Ihedinma noted that the world was full of darkness before the mother of God brought ‘Light’, which is Jesus into the world.  He tasked mothers to illuminate their families because every mother is a precious gift of blessing to her family.  He went further to warn children to desist from insulting and being disobedient to their mothers.  Mothers, he…

St. Helen’s Parish Irete – Lady Ngozi Ogba, 8 others bag “Nne Okwukwe” Award

Nine women, including Chief Lady Ngozi Ogba, were on Sunday, March 30, 2014 honoured with the “Nne Okwukwe” (Mother of Faith) Award for their contributions to the growth of St. Helen’ Catholic Parish Irete, in  Owerri West LGA of Imo State. The award ceremony was the high point of this year’s Mothers’ Day celebration organized by the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of the parish. Other recipients of the award include: Mrs. Juliana Eke, Mrs. C.O. Asoluka, Mrs. Monica Okolie and Lady Angela Opara.  The rest are Lady Nwebo Esther, Lolo Justina Iwundu, Mrs. Beatrice Eziohuru, Mrs. Rhoda Ohanyirinwa. According to the CWO President, Lady Duru Chioma who introduced each of the awardees, both the recipients…

Let your light begin to shine from your families – Fr. Ibole advises mothers

As St. Michael’s Parish Amakohia Uratta celebrates Mothers’ day It was another celebration galore as mothers of St. Michael’s Catholic Church Amakohia Uratta, Owerri North LGA, Imo State joined other Catholic women worldwide to celebrate their motherhood. Welcoming the faithful at the Mass, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ibole, Vicar-General Owerri Archdiocese and the chief celebrant said: “Today, as we are celebrating mothers, we remind ourselves the dignity of motherhood and as well appreciate the roles they play in our lives”. He welcomed the con celebrating priests, including Rev. Fr. Miletus Ohanuma, former Assistant Parish Priest. During the homily, Fr. Ibole who reflected on the readings of the day noted that God wants His children to make…

Mother’s Day Celebration – Blessed Tansi Parish Ugwu Orji

- 16 receive CWO Award The Parish Priest, parishioners, friends and well-wishers of Blessed Tansi Catholic Parish, Ugwu Orji on Sunday, March 30, 2014, joined their counterparts around the globe to celebrate their mothers. Preaching a homily during the Mass, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Benedict Oparaugo said that the Sunday marks two occasions comprising the Laetare Sunday and the Mother’s Day. Fr. Oparaugo explained Laetare as joy, meaning that Christians are enjoined to have courage and rejoice even as they mark the commemoration of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The priest differentiated between the Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday.  He said that Mothering Sunday means: mothers exercising their roles as wives…

Women advised to check rising immorality in Imo as Maria Assumpta Parish celebrates Mothers’ day

Activities marking the 2014 Mother’s Day at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Parish Owerri ended with the launching of CWO Revised Directory and Fund-raising for the completion of CWO House project and purchase of a coaster bus. In his homily during the Pontifical concelebrated Mass, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna warned on what he called “spiritual and moral blindness” and discrimination based social status.  He was assisted at the Mass by the Administrator, Fr. Andrew Nkwocha and Fr. Anumudu. Reflecting on the gospel of the day, about a man who had been blind from birth, Archbishop Obinna said that lust, beauty or handsomeness can make man blind while wealth, power and high social…

JDPC Seminar: Why Catholic Church is interested in National Confab – Fr. Osuagwu

-As Okonkwo advises priests not to be partisan in politics An erudite cleric,  and former co-ordinator, Justice, Development and Peace Committee JDPC Owerri province, Rev. Fr. Innocent Maduakolam Osuagwu has given reasons why the Catholic Church is interested in the on-going National Conference in Abuja. In a paper he presented at a seminar organized by the JDPC of Owerri Archdiocese prior to the commencement of the Confab, Fr. Osuagwu gave seven reasons why the Church is interested in the conference: -     The Church wants to compassionately associate herself with the destiny of her host nation and member-citizens, and the effort to do everything to correct anomalies and enthrone uprightness (righteousness); recalling the many years of…

Lay good moral foundation for your children – Lady Nnanna-Okoro tasked parents

Parents have been advised to lay a good moral foundation for their children by living a life of devotion to the tenets of the Catholic faith. Commissioner for Industry ad Non-formal Sector/Supervising Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro who stated this at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church Ogbaku where the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) gave her an award as “Ambassador of Mary” during this year’s Mother’s Day celebration, urged mothers to rise to the challenge of bringing up their children under strict religious guidance as this shall help reduce criminality among youths. Barr. Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro decried a situation where families are in disarray because of disunity caused by running from one church to…

Archbishop Obinna lays foundation stone of Annunciation Catholic Centre

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

Archbishop Obinna admonishes Knights – As KSM PH holds retreat in Owerri

The Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, Stella Maris  Sub-Council Port Harcourt have ended their 2014 Retreat at Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Owerri which lasted from Friday March 28 to Sunday, March 30, 2014. According to the Sub-Council, the purpose of the retreat was to enhance the spiritual growth of the members especially during the Lenten period. The Lenten retreat theme was: “Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength” (Isaiah 40:31).  The retreat was graced by Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri. In his Lecture: “Remain with God for life”, Archbishop Obinna harped on the need to stop same-sex union. The Archbishop said that Knights and Ladies of the Church…

Holy Trinity Parish W/Bank celebrates her Mothers’ day in grand style

The dignity of womanhood restored through the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Trinity Catholic Parish World Bank Owerri last Sunday, March 30, 2014 joined the rest of Christendom to celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day. The highlights of the occasion were the Award of “Men of Divine Destiny” selected members of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and “Faithful Mothers” to some selected members of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) and the cutting of the Mother’s Day cake. The Eucharistic celebration had the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ijemaru as principal celebrant assisted by Rev. Frs. Philip Opara and Francis Onuoha. Preaching the sermon, Fr. Ijemaru, who announced that day’s theme as: “God that searches the heart”, called…

St. Mary’s Parish Obibiezena Celebrates Mothers’ day

Mothers are supernatural gift from God – Fr. Edmund Njoku The Catholic Women Organization (CWO), St. Mary’s Parish Obibiezena, Owerri North LGA, Imo State on Sunday, March 30, 2014, joined other Catholic women nationwide in celebrating this year’s mother’s day. The Mass which started as a grand finale of a weeklong event was presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Edmund Njoku and assisted by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Anorue. Introducing the Mass, Fr. Eddy expressed joy at the level of enthusiasm which the mothers gathered to mark their day.  With that same spirit, he described them as  supernatural gift offered to male folk by God.  He prayed God to instill in them strong faith…

St. Kevin’s Parish Ogbaku Mother’s Day Celebration

-  Mother’s Day took its root from the feast of Annunciation Parishioners of St. Kevin’s Catholic Church Ogbaku in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State have celebrated 2014 Mother’s Day (Sunday, March 30).  It was organized by the Catholic Women Organization, CWO. The Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Igbokwe, chief celebrant concelebrated with two other priests namely, his Assistant, Rev. Fr. Bertrand Nnajiemere and Rev. Fr. Barr. Anthony Ubochioma who delivered the homily. He informed them that Mother’s Day took its root from the feast of Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel brought to Mary the message that she would conceive Jesus Christ in the womb. Fr. Ubochioma challenged the women to evaluate for themselves how…

St. Mark’s Parish New Owerri celebrates 2014 Mother’s Day

-   Mothers, illumine your homes, says priest The activities marking the 2014 Mother’s Day celebration of St. Mark’s Catholics Parish, New Owerr, ended Sunday, March 30, 2014. The occasion began with Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Paschal Onyeneke assisted by Rev. Msgr. Marcellinus U. Ibe, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Mark C. Njoku and a visiting priest, Rev. Fr. Godwin Uzoma. Delivering his homily, Fr. Uzoma recounted Jesus’ marvelous deeds in making the blind see and the anointing of David as king.  Christ, he said, does not look at men’s outward appearance but inward.  He therefore encouraged Christians not to be deceived by physical and material wants but should be more concerned about their…

Igboland, hope of Christianity in Nigeria – Fr. Nkwocha

-As Provincial CMO meets in Owerri Christian Fathers in Igboland have been reminded that the hope of Christianity in Nigeria lies in their hands and should therefore hold on tenaciously to this faith and handover same to their children undiluted. The Administrator of Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Rev. Fr. Andrew Nkwocha gave this reminder at the Mass which kick-started the meeting of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Owerri Ecclesiastical Province held at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Thursday, March 27, 2014. In his homily, Fr. Nkwocha, who represented Archbishop Anthony Obinna said Christians are suffering serious persecution in many parts of Northern Nigeria, and called on the Christian fathers to make sure that the faith is…