VOL
9. NO. 17 September 18, 2010 PUBLICATION
Bishop
Okeke Calls Christians To Responsible Stewardship
St. Paul’s
Parish Okija Receive’s Bishop Okeke
Benedict XVI: He Who Finds God, Finds Everything
Chad Archdiocesan CWO Commends Nnewi Diocesan
CWO
Celebrations
Mark 100th Anniversary of Mother Teresa's Birth
Bishop Okeke Opens Rectory Of St John The
Baptist, Ozubulu
Cardinal Arinze Calls For Prayerful
Life Among Christians
Mary The Queen Ihiala Celebrates Feast
Day
Ansiec Promises To Look Into Voters'
Register
Egyptian Catholic Convert Fights For
Asylum In US
Lourdes Evacuated For Bomb Scare, Evening
Events Uninterrupted
Awka Diocese Ordains 13 Priests
President Obama To Visit Catholic University,
Commemorate Hurricane Katrina
Bishop Okeke Pays Pastoral Visit To St Mary's, Nnobi
Sacred Signs, Gestures And Active Participation
At Mass (3)
COMMUNIQUE
MORE...
BISHOP
OKEKE CALLS CHRISTIANS TO RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP
* Blessed Fr's Rectory At St Jude Egboka
Unubi
By
Chinonyelum Ojiaku
The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Hilary Okeke
has called on Christians to be responsible stewards in
their various endeavours.
The Bishop who made this call at St Jude Egboka Unubi,
an out station of St Patrick's Catholic Parish Unubi,
reminded Christians on the need to use their talents in
the service of God and humanity.
Quoting St Paul, “What have you that you do not
receive,” “All gifts, money, land, material
things should be used for the service of God,” Bishop
Okeke who spoke from his this year's Pastoral Letter,
“Responsible Stewardship: Faith In Action,”
which reflected on the day's reading, noted that whatever
comes to one is God's gift and should be used for the
good of all and for the greater glory of God.
The prelate commended Chief John Obiorah (KSM) for his
magnanimous gift to the church.
According to the Bishop, “Chief John Obiorah understands
that whatever he has is for the service of God and humanity.
“It is not that he did not know what to do with
his money, yet he utilized it for the service of God.
“Some use their money to commit all sorts of atrocities
but one who has wisdom and understanding knows that what
God gave to him or her is for the service of God and humanity,
and that was exactly what Chief John Obiorah has done
by using his money to build the magnificent father's rectory
and also contributing heavily towards the completion of
the church.
“The efforts we make as responsible stewards is
what will take us to heaven,” the Bishop emphasized.
He further called on the entire congregation to contribute
their own quota toward the completion of the church. He
advised them not to leave everything for Chief Obiorah
but should help in building the Church. “The efforts
we make as responsible stewards is what will take us to
heaven,” the Bishop reiterated.
Bishop Okeke thanked the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Peter Muojekwu
whom he described as “Oji nwayo aga” for his
immense efforts in both the parish and the out-station.
Speaking after the communion, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr
Peter Muojekwu thanked God for his benevolence in the
parish especially for bringing to fruition the completion
of the Father's Rectory and for other major projects in
the parish.
Rev Fr Muojekwu thanked the Bishop, Most Rev Hilary Okeke
for his fatherly love. He also thanked Chief John Udewulu
Obiorah and family whom he described as “a rare
personality, a very big asset, a generous man to the core,
a man who is thirsty for the good and betterment of his
people.”
He equally thanked all former St Patrick's parish priests
who worked before him. “I thank you for the tremendous
work you did in the parish. I am only lucky to be reaping
what you sowed,” he noted.
Chief John Obiorah in an interview was full of thanks
to God for giving him the opportunity to work for him.
The occasion witnessed the blessing of the Father's Rectory
by the Bishop and the reception ceremony of Rev Sr Ogonna
Amaka Umeh, DMMM by the parish.
ST. PAUL’S PARISH OKIJA RECEIVE’S BISHOP OKEKE
By Chinonyelum Ojiaku and Vitalis Nwagbaso
August 28th and 29th 2010 marked another
historic event in the history of St. Paul’s Parish
Okija as the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese Most Rev.
Hilary Okeke pays his second pastoral visit to the parish.
The ceremony which started on Saturday 28th 2010 with
the arrival of the Bishop, football match competition,
Reception among others continued till Sunday 29th 2010
with the celebration of Holy Eucharist, where about one
hundred candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation
and a grand reception given to the bishop.
Delivering the homily Bishop Okeke highlighted the need
for the faithfuls to shun pride and embrace humility.
Stressing further he used Christ as a perfect example
who never counted his equality with God rather humbled
himself to the point of dying in the cross and God exalted
him.
He urged the candidates for confirmation to be witness
to Christ through their behaviour.
In a vote of thanks the parish priest of St. Paul’s
Parish Okija Rev. Fr. Luke Nworah thanked the Bishop for
his visit and for various works he is doing in the cathedral.
Highlights during the Mass included blessings in a special
way all those who are contributing towards the church
building and various projects in the parish towards the
construction of St. Gabriel’s Secondary School Okija.
Highlights during the mass included blessing in a special
way contributors towards the church building and various
projects in the parish.
In an address of welcome, the secretary pastoral committee
Mr. Victor Obi lauded the efforts of the bishop in both
spiritual and physical growth of the Cathedral.
In a grand reception that follows the chairman of the
occasion and chairman St. Paul’s parish Lagos branch
Mr. Gilbert Efubesi thanked the Bishop for his visit while
he urged all the parishioners for up keep with their faith.
In an interview Sir Leo Chris Udemezue (KSM) (Isiaku n’
Okija) whose family built a grotto thanked God on behalf
of the family.
According Sir Udemezue “what one has is from God
and must be given back to him also”
Also another contributor towards the church building Engr.
Charles Obi noted that whatever he has comes from God
and must be given back to him.
Chief Emeka Ndianaefo, Chairman Planning Committee in
a interview equally thanked the bishop for his visit,
the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Luke Nworah for his great works
in parish.
Highlights of the occasion included blessing of the grotto
of Our Lady built by the family of Udemezue.
^
TOP
BENEDICT XVI: HE WHO FINDS GOD, FINDS EVERYTHING
Reflecting
on where man's true satisfaction and fulfillment lies,
Pope Benedict wrote last week to attendees at the Rimini
Meeting in Italy.
The "great things" for which man strives, the
Holy Father said, can be found in God through prayer.
The message from the Pope, transmitted in a note sent
by Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to Bishop
Francesco Lambiasi of Rimini, was read at the end of the
inaugural Mass for the "Meeting for Friendship Amongst
Peoples.
" The week-long encounter is titled, "That nature
which pushes us to desire great things is the heart."At
the root of this title, observed the Pope, is the reminder
of an "unsuppressible anxiety" in every man's
nature which spurs him to find answers for his longings.
"Every man," he said, "perceives that in
the realization of the most profound desires of his heart
he can find the possibility of ... truly becoming himself.
"Man is pushed "outside of himself" to
fulfill the entirety of his desire, a desire not just
for "any" thing, but for "great things,"
explained the Holy Father. And, while he is often tempted
to stop short and settle for "little things,"
that offer a moment of satisfaction and pleasure, "God
alone is enough.
He alone satiates the profound hunger of man. "Whoever
has found God, has found everything," he emphasized,
adding that "finite things can give glimmers of satisfaction
and joy, but only the Infinite can fill the heart of man
... ""Man only needs a single thing that contains
everything, but first he must learn to recognize, also
through his desires and his superficial longings, what
he truly needs, what he truly desires, what is capable
of satisfying the capacity of his heart.
"This desire for "great things," explained
Pope Benedict, must be transformed into prayer, which
the Fathers of the Church maintained was changing one's
very self into a powerful desire for the Lord.
Citing St. Augustine who defined prayer as an expression
of desire and asserted that God responds by extending
our heart towards him, he said, "Of God we can ask
everything, all that is good. The goodness and the power
of God know no limits between big and small, material
and immaterial, earthly and celestial things.
"In dialogue with Him - bringing our lives before
his eyes, we learn to desire the good things, in concrete,
God himself.
"The Rimini Meeting has taken place annually since
1980 and seeks to "create points of contact between
experiences and people of different faiths and cultures
who share a positive desire for knowledge and reciprocal
enhancement.”
^
TOP
CHAD ARCHDIOCESAN CWO
COMMENDS NNEWI DIOCESAN CWO
NNEWI- The Catholic Women Organization (CWO), St. Mathias
Mulumba de Paris-Congo, Archdiocese of N'Djamena, Chad
has commended the CWO Nnewi Diocese for their great assistance
to the church and for their numerous projects.
A member of the CWO of the Archdiocese of Chad, Madame
Dadmal Antionette N' Doubade in her recent visit to Nnewi,
expressed her admiration on the extent the CWO in the
diocese has gone toward helping the church.
According to her, the Nnewi Diocesan CWO has achieved
significant successes to be compared with the CWO in her
country.
Madam N'Doubade promised to ginger the CWOs in her country
once she gets back home and make them to understand that
women play significant roles in the growth of a church.
She commended the catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most
Rev. Hilary Okeke for his hospitality.
Madam N' Doubade who was on a visit to Nigeria to see
the impact of women in the church, especially the Catholic
Church, equally visited Onitsha Archdiocese, the Bethany
House, and Awka Diocese where she saw many structures
women had single handed erected for the growth of the
church which she said is far above what is attainable
in Chad.
She was accompanied on the visit by priests from Nnewi
Diocese on mission to Chad including Rev Frs. Henry Chukwujekwu
and Benette Anigbogu. Speaking in an interview Rev. Fr.
Chukwujekwu recounting his experience in Chad, noted that
the church in Chad has a very long way to go to be compared
with the church in Nigeria, adding that the visit will
serve as an eye-opener to women in Chad so that they will
see that women play important roles in church development.
Also contributing, the Diocesan CWO President Lady Vero
Ilika pledged on behalf of her members to support the
Archdiocesan CWO of Chad to grow while urging the visitor
to utilize all she has learnt in making the CWO in Chad
Archdiocese to grow...^
TOP
CELEBRATIONS MARK 100TH
ANNIVERSARY OF MOTHER TERESA'S BIRTH
Celebrations
of the 100th birthday of Mother Teresa began early in
the morning of August 26 in Calcutta, with a solemn Mass
at the chapel of the Missionaries of Charity, and Cardinal
Telesphore Toppo lighting a candle at the tomb of the
revered nun.
While pilgrims-Christians and non-Christians-filed past
Mother Teresa's tomb, across town Cardinal Toppo and Archbishop
Lucas Sirkar of Calcutta presided at the opening of a
film festival dedicated to Mother Teresa's memory. Sister
Prema, the superior of the Missionaries of Charity, formally
opened the event. Later in the day federal government
ministers launched the “Mother Express,” a
train carrying a mobile exhibition on the life of Mother
Teresa, which will tour around India. In a message to
the centenary celebrations, Pope Benedict XVI said that
Mother Teresa was an “inestimable gift for the Church
and the world.” He said that the celebrations in
her honor were “an occasion of joyful gratitude
to God for the inestimable gift that Mother Teresa was
in her lifetime.” ^
TOP
BISHOP
OKEKE OPENS RECTORY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, OZUBULU
OZUBULU- It was a moment of joy and to heave a sigh of
relief recently for the parishioners of St John the Baptist,
Ozubulu since they can now boast of having a Rectory.
The Father's house which was promised to be built by the
family of Mr. Silvanus Unigwe on the occasion of their
thanksgiving on 27th December 2010 was finally completed
and opened by Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Okeke Catholic Bishop
of Nnewi.
The celebration began with the blessing of the building
and the cutting of ribbon to declare it open.
In the well-decorated reception arena, the Vice Chairman,
Parish Council, Mr. Emma Anughere made a profound welcome
to all who were present as well as those who sent representatives
and those who sent gifts.
In the welcome address, Mr Anughere thanked Bishop Okeke
whom he disclosed, laid the foundation stone of the Rectory
on March 25th, 2009 and made St. John the Baptist an outstation
parish on October 2009.
He also thanked Rev Fr. Solomon Ugochukwu who piloted
the creation of the new parish from St. Joseph Ozubulu
in 2009 just as he equally thanked most Rev. Fr. Martins
Uzoukwu for his guidance and Fr. Theo Odukwe for his financial
and spiritual support and finally the Unigwe family for
building such an edifice as he called it.
Mr. Sunday Unigwe speaking to The Christian Outlook said
that their family built the rectory in fulfillment of
their father's heart desire who had wished to build for
the Lord but couldn't make it.
He said, “Our family is just like David's; David
who wanted to build the temple for the Lord but couldn't
which his son Solomon later built as was directed by the
Lord.
In expressing his feelings, he said, “It was a thing
of joy for our family to see this day, a day in which
our family can say, 'we built for the Lord', despite all
odds.”
Speaking to The Christian Outlook, Parish Council Vice
Chairman said the whole congregation on 27th December
2008, stood agape when the Unigwe family took over the
plan of the Father's rectory to sponsor the building,
adding that, “when I heard this, I was dumb-founded;
I couldn't imagine that but reality happened. I was overjoyed
because our parish has crossed the Rubicon.”
He prayed God to bless the family for building the magnificent
rectory, which would have posed a great problem to the
parish purse.
Mr. Anughere equally told the faithful that whoever could,
should come and help them out so that they could build
the church and fence the whole compound and possess the
government school near the parish.
It was a great surprise and a thing that boosted the spirit
of the people when Rev. Fr. Marc. Dictta and two missionary
Sisters of Mary, Messenger of Love and visitors in the
cathedral from France made their donations.
^
TOP
CARDINAL
ARINZE CALLS FOR PRAYERFUL LIFE AMONG CHRISTIANS
NNEWI- Francis Cardinal Arinze has called
on Christians to be prayerful. He stated this during Holy
Mass in a visit to Immaculate Heart Sisters (IHM) at their
Regional House at Nnewi.
The Cardinal who is on his annual leave described prayer
as “lifting up one's heart and mind to God.”
He stated that adoration is the best form of prayers but
that often times Christians give more priority to supplication
rather than adoration, “the praise of God is very
important in prayer”.
In her vote of thanks, the Regional Vicar of Nnewi IHM
Region Rev. Sr. Mary Anthoninus thanked the Cardinal for
his visit.
Highlights of the occasion included various gifts given
to the Cardinal by the IHM Sisters,
^
TOP
MARY THE QUEEN
IHIALA CELEBRATES FEAST DAY
By Vitalis Nwagboso
IHIALA- August 22, 2010 was another memorable day for
the parishioners of Mary the Queen Ihiala, as they celebrated
their feast day; the feast of Mary the Queen.
The celebration commenced with a Eucharistic Mass presided
over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbaebie.
Speaking during the homily, Fr. Mbabie told the congregation
that the feast was to celebrate the assumption of Mary
into heaven and her Queenship of Heaven. This queenship
he said, is not that of pride but that of an intercessor
which counter the view of the Jews that only the Jews
will be saved but now, Mary as a mother, intercedes for
all.
He further told the faithful that they were sons and daughters
of the kingdom, admonishing however that, “We all
are the sons of the kingdom, but we the sons and daughters
of the kingdom may lose our position in heaven if we do
not strive to retain it.”
He also told the congregation to follow the narrow path
which leads to heaven and be detached, leaving all to
God. He said “In the very moment you lose love in
your life, automatically you are no longer a Christian;
do not take vengeance, for vengeance is for God.”
The Parish Priest thanked God for His doing to them and
thanked all who made it possible coming for the feast.
Speaking to The Christian Outlook, Mr. Fidelis Okani,
the Vice Chairman, Parish Council said that the feast
was an annual celebration but this year's coincided with
the send off event of the seminarians who worked with
them for six weeks. He cited building of the Father's
Rectory as their greatest achievement so far; theirs being
a young parish.
Speaking about the general affairs of the parish he said,
“We lack fund; that's why this celebration is being
done in a low key; we also lack fund for the construction
of the new church, and we are seriously pleading with
public-spirited philanthropists to please come to our
aid so that we can build for the Lord.”
Highlights of the event included CWO dance, brigade by
the CWO band group and the Ufie dance (dance of the old
by the young) by some guests.
TOP
ANSIEC PROMISES TO LOOK INTO VOTERS' REGISTER
By Chinonyelum Ojiaku
Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission
(ANSIEC) has promised to look into the voters' register
ahead of the December 4 local government election in the
state.
Chairman of the commission, Prof Titus Eze stated this
at Nnewi North and South LGAs respectively during the
familiarization and sensitization tour of the areas. He
said that based on the agitations and complaints of the
people that the present voters' register was marred with
so many irregularities, ANSIEC has decided to look into
and see what can be done to rectify it.
Prof Eze assured the people that ANSIEC is doing something
positive towards it; but however noted that the commission
will not wait for the new register which INEC Chairman,
Prof Attahiru Jega is fighting for. “We will not
wait for Jega to finish as Jega's own is for 2011 while
our own election is for 2010.”
Prof Eze called for massive support from the people in
the forthcoming election and advised all to shun all forms
of irregularities during the election.
In an interactive session that followed, Dr. Dozie Ikedife,
OON pleaded with the commission to grant the people free,
fair, credible and acceptable election and to avoid any
form of election malpractices.
Responding, Prof Eze promised the people free and fair
election and called on all to come out and vote on the
day of the election and after voting, that people should
make sure their votes are counted and the results are
entered in the result sheet before leaving the arena and
that each political party should go with the result.
He further called on political parties to endeavour to
notify ANSIEC of the date and venue of their ward and
local government primaries.
On the display of voters' register for which Hon. Francis
Okeke (Omo) pleaded, Prof Eze noted that it is the function
of INEC to display voters' register but that if ANSIEC
must display it, they will get permission from INEC.
At Nnewi South local government secretariat Ukpor, in
an interaction, Hon Rommy Ekedozie who noted that the
local government comprises of 10 towns and 20 wards, pleaded
for adequate dissemination of information in the next
meeting to enable many towns attend. On this, ANSIEC chairman,
Prof Eze advised that if the local government can organize
themselves together next time and call the commission
to come and talk to them, they will not hesitate to do
so.
Another speaker, Hon Rommy Okoli pleaded with ANSIEC to
provide adequate logistics for the election as this will
reduce irregularities. To this Prof Eze assured the people
that adequate logistics have been provided.
In his contribution, Head of Administration, Nnewi South
local government area, Hon. Emmanuel Chinyere Nwabuagha
thanked the Governor of Anambra State Mr. Peter Obi for
the caliber of people in the commission.
Describing February 6, 2010 election as the most authentic
election in Nigeria, he expressed hope that the forth-coming
local government election will be also authentic and that
the Nnewi South will produce the best, free, fair and
credible election.
Giving the vote of thanks, ANSIEC commissioner in charge
of security and Nnewi Zone, Mrs. Patricia Nnamezie called
for support from all to attain a credible election in
the zone.
^
TOP
EGYPTIAN
CATHOLIC CONVERT FIGHTS FOR ASYLUM IN US
A
human rights law group reported on Tuesday that a Muslim
convert to Catholicism and his family in the U.S. could
face deportation back to Egypt despite documented attacks
from the man's family members in his home country as well
as death threats.
The Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty issued a press
release on Aug. 24 announcing their intervention in the
federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia
after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied
asylum to Walid Salama, an Egyptian convert to Catholicism
and his wife and child, who are also Christian.
“The Department of Homeland Security says it can't
tell the difference between a convert who deserves asylum
and just another religious minority,” said Becket
Fund National Litigation Director Eric Rassbach. “But
Mr. Salama's relatives sure can they repeatedly beat Mr.
Salama, tried to kidnap Mr. Salama's wife, vandalized
their car, and tried to kill their baby daughter.”
“They consider converts to be traitors to Islam
and therefore deserving of death, and the police have
been complicit in Mr. Salama's torment. If Mr. Salama
is forced to return to Egypt he will not survive,”
Rassbach added.
The Becket Fund argued in their brief that the decision
to deny asylum and send Salama and his family back to
Egypt disregards evidence detailing the persecution of
both Christians and Christian converts from Islam in Egypt.
The brief also cites Salama's testimony of having faced
violence and death threats and additionally argues that
asylum is required under American law if one is forced
to conceal one's faith.
“In this country, if the local sheriff sits on his
hands while a lynch mob attacks a minority, we'd call
it an outrage and a crime,” Rassbach added. “But
DHS doesn't seem to care that Mr. Salama, as a convert
to Christianity, faces the same fate should he be forced
to return to Egypt.”
^
TOP
LOURDES EVACUATED FOR BOMB SCARE, EVENING EVENTS UNINTERRUPTED
Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate
the Marian Sanctuary in Lourdes on Sunday because of a
bomb threat. Allowed to return later in the day, the faithful
returned to the programmed schedule of worship and took
part in the traditional afternoon procession.
The estimated number of pilgrims in Lourdes on Sunday
was put at about 30,000 by local media, with large delegations
coming particularly from both France and Italy.
According to Agence France Presse (AFP), at around noon
an anonymous call was made to the local police station
warning that four bombs would explode at 3pm.
Having evacuated the sanctuary, police conducted a search
of the site with bomb-sniffing dogs . It was reopened
to the masses at around 4pm when no explosive ordinance
was found.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year
at the sanctuary, for its importance as a Marian celebration
and also for the practical reason that it takes place
within the summer holidays of August. Many French Catholics
take part in the National Pilgrimage organized every year
to coincide with the solemnity.
Speaking of the bomb scare afterwards, a local police
spokesman called it a "cruel hoax," saying that
the caller did nothing more than cause additional problems
for those already suffering from illnesses and handicaps.
While a prayer for France and the world and a chaplet
originally scheduled to be said at the grotto had to be
observed from outside the gates of the sanctuary, the
evacuation did not keep people from taking part in the
National Pilgrimage-organized Eucharistic procession at
5pm.
^
TOP
AWKA
DIOCESE ORDAINS 13 PRIESTS
By Chinonyelum Ojiaku
The
Catholic Diocese of Awka on August 21, 2010 added thirteen
more priests to their presbytery.
Preaching the homily during the occasion, the Catholic
Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor reminded
the candidates on the need to be faithful to their vows
of poverty, celibacy and obedience.
Bishop Ezeokafor urged them to put in their best in service
of God and humanity.
He thanked all who worked in one way or the other towards
the actualization of the candidates' dreams such as their
formators, sponsors, parents, relations and friends praying
that God will replenish them back.
The newly-ordained priests included Rev. Frs. Peter Paul
Anyiam, Felix Nwosu, Ephraim Udoye, Bartholomew Ezenwelem,
and Emmanuel Oformata. Others are Boniface Ezeokeke, Edwin
Ezeokeke, Emmanuel Udu, Valentine Ezenduka, Anthony Okafor,
Jeremiah Okafor, Augustine Oguine, Christopher Nduefuna
(M.Ss) and Geoffrey Nwafor (M.Ss).
.^
TOP
BISHOP OKEKE PAYS PASTORAL VISIT TO ST
MARY'S, NNOBI
After Hundred Years of Existence
ONITSHA - On Sunday, August 22, 2010, the Archbishop
of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, His Grace, Most
Rev Dr Valerian Okeke paid a pastoral visit to St Mary's,
Queen of Heaven Catholic Parish, Nnobi. The visit came
one hundred clear years after the last pastoral visit
to the parish.
The pastoral visit was kick-started with a concelebrated
Holy Mass presided by Archbishop Okeke, flanked by the
Vicar General, Msgr Basil Onwuasomba, the Parish Priest
of St Mary's, Rev Fr Lawrence Ezeolisa and the Bishop's
Secretary, Rev Fr George Adimike.
His Grace, Archbishop Okeke in a homily urged the congregation
to always live according to the will of God and that God
is not the God of Israel alone.
According to him, “He is God of everybody; what
you are in the society will not make you enter the kingdom
of God; rather, it is the way we live holy and exemplary
life styles that will guarantee us the kingdom of God
so that at the end, we will not be among those to whom
He will say, 'Go I don't know you'.”
It was during the Mass that the Archbishop administered
the Sacrament of Confirmation to eight five (85) candidates.
In a welcome address, the parishioners expressed their
joy and satisfaction with the Archbishop's visit and pleaded
with him to help them in the completion of their church
project.
The chairman of the occasion also thanked the Archbishop
for the visit and for giving them such a wonderful parish
priest in the person of Rev Fr Ezeolisa.
Giving the vote of thanks, Rev Fr Ezeolisa while expressing
his gratitude for the visit, appreciated Archbishop Okeke
for all his assistance to the parish; just as he thanked
the entire parishioners for ensuring that the visit was
successful.
Fr Ezeolisa pointed out that the last pastoral visit to
the parish was in 1910 thus making it an interval of one
hundred (100) years.
The pupils of St. Mary's Nursery/Primary school and the
Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON) among other
groups, presented songs and gifts to the Archbishop.
^
TOP.
President Obama To Visit Catholic
University, Commemorate Hurricane Katrina
On
the fifth anniversary of the devastation of Hurricane
Katrina, President Obama will be visiting New Orleans.
His visit includes a stop at Xavier University, the nation's
only historically black and Catholic university.
“We are pleased and grateful that the President
has decided to include a visit to the Xavier University
campus as part of his visit to New Orleans on August 29
to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,”
said Dr. Norman C. Francis, President of Xavier University,
in a statement provided to EWTN News.
“Mr. Obama will get to see firsthand why we are
so proud of the progress we have made here at Xavier during
the five years since Katrina, not only restoring our campus
but expanding our facilities and services since then in
order to fulfill our mission established eighty-five years
ago,” the university president added. Xavier University
was founded by St. Katherine Drexel and the Sisters of
the Blessed Sacrament as a high school for African Americans
in 1915. In 1925, the school added a four-year college
program.
The school features an enrollment of 3,400 students, and
boasts one of two pharmacy schools in the state of Louisiana.
The university is also particularly proud of its strong
recovery from the damage of Hurricane Katrina, which it
cites as one of the reasons for the president's visit.
“There are some anniversaries we celebrate because
they conjure up wonderful memories, and there are other
anniversaries people commemorate because they want to
remember what they endured and survived,” the university
said in a press release about the visit.
“August 29 is one of the latter for New Orleans
residents, and for institutions such as Xavier University
of Louisiana.” University officials added that five
years after Katrina, “the Xavier campus is fully
recovered physically growing in fact.” Enrollment
is solid, and “while many important capital projects
around the 'Big Easy' continue to languish five years
after Katrina, that is hardly the case at Xavier."
When asked about what impact the school's Catholic identity
had on accepting the offer of a presidential visit, Warren
Bell, Warren A. Bell, Jr., Associate Vice President of
University and Media Relations, told EWTN News, “no
other comment at this time.”President Obama has
visited the campus once before, when he was still a senator.
In 2006, he gave the commencement speech at the first
graduation ceremony after Hurricane Katrina struck.
SACRED
SIGNS, GESTURES AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AT MASS (3)
By Fr. Hygi Aghaulo
In the last
edition of our on-going reflection on the Sacred Signs,
Gestures and active participation at mass, we saw that
Standing before the Mass begins is a sign of respect and
reverence before God; while beating the breast signifies
our repentance physically, in body language; Sitting shows
attentive listening, readiness to be instructed; whereas
Folding of hands is a sign of steadfast subjection and
obedient homage to God. In this last part of our reflection,
we shall be looking at the significance of kneeling for
the Eucharistic prayer, walking up to communion and receiving
communion.
Kneeling for
the Eucharistic Prayer
After the Gospel and the homily (if there is one that
day), after the Preparation of the Gifts, the Great Prayer,
called "the Canon" or "the Eucharistic
Prayer", begins. During this time we kneel. Since
this gesture has a somewhat complicated history, it's
worth spending some time on it.
The meaning of this gesture of kneeling is manifold:
-humble submission before the majesty of God
-penance and a spirit of repentance
-adoration and reverence in prayer
The use of this posture in the Mass developed gradually.
a. In a seventh century document, the Ordo Romanus I,
it says that during the Canon only the Pope stood upright,
while all the others in the sanctuary remained bowed for
the entire Eucharistic Prayer. The sign for standing upright
again was the phrase nobis quoque peccatoribus near the
end of the Canon: that was the sign also for the deacon
to go about their preparations for communion. In fact,
in the old Mass, that phrase was said out loud while the
rest of the Canon was said quietly, as a remnant of the
ancient practice of bowing during the Canon.
b. From the ninth century onward, there is historical
evidence for the posture of kneeling during the Canon.
The Synod of Tours (813) described this as the characteristic
posture of the faithful, although for Sundays and feasts,
it was the custom to stand.
c. In the thirteenth century, because of developments
in Eucharistic theology and various movements of Eucharistic
devotion, the practice of kneeling at the consecration
became the norm.
d. In 1502, the Ordo Missae of John Burckhard prescribes
kneeling for the prayers at the foot of the altar, and
for the consecration. Our present rubricsby way of the
post-Tridentine liturgical bookshave their origin in this
Ordo Missae of Burckhard.
The history of this gesturewhether in liturgical prayer
or in private prayeris rather complex. For our purposes,
it is enough to stress the importance of doing it well.
Guardini says:
“Let not the bending of our knees be a hurried gesture,
an empty form. Put meaning into it; to kneel, in the soul's
intention, is to bow down before God in deepest reverence."
The bodily posture of kneeling is above all a sign of
reverence for Christ present in the Eucharist.
Which reminds me of a story I must tell you concerning
the experience of a chaplain in a girls' school. According
to him, in January 1993, he was serving as substitute
chaplain at a small Catholic college. It rained there,
and that particular day, there was a lot of mud outside.
The Blessed Sacrament is reserved not only in the main
church, but also in the students' chapel. Now, during
the Christmas vacation, since no one is around, the Blessed
Sacrament is removed from the dormitory chapels, and when
the students come back, it is brought back again. So he
was walking with the Blessed Sacrament from the church
to the girls' dormatory, covering the pyx with cope, because
it was windy. An altar server with his candle accompanied
the Blessed Sacrament. As they approached the door of
the girls' dormatory, two of the students happened to
be coming out at the same time. They weren't expecting
them, but as soon as they saw that he was carrying the
Blessed Sacrament, without a moment's hesitation, they
knelt down in the mud in honour of Christ present in the
Eucharist. This gesture made a profound impression on
me.
In these our days, when the Catholic understanding of
the Eucharist is becoming very weakwhen there are some
people who don't even know what it is that they receiveit
is imperative that we show by our gestures the faith we
believe. Actions speak louder than words! So let us kneel.
Carefully, deliberately, and reverently. That will reinforce
our own belief in the Real Presence of Christ, it will
teach our children by example, it will inspire our fellow
Catholics, and it will scandalize a world that does not
believe.
Walking
up to communion
After the Eucharistic Prayer and the Great Doxology, it
is time for communion. How do you get from your pew to
the sanctuary? You have to walk. Now, it's not as self-evident
as it seems. How to walk with dignity, to process? Guardini
addresses this question also.
Walking. How many people know how to walk? It is not hurrying
along at a kind of run, or shuffling along at a snail's
pace, but a composed and firm forward movement. There
is spring in the tread of a good walker. He lifts, not
drags, his heels. He is straight, not stoop-shouldered,
and his steps are sure and even.
When you walk up to communion, don't look all around you
this way and that. Concentrate on what you are about to
do, on whom you are about to receive. With this kind of
walking, you draw near to presence of God. Be conscious
of what you are doing, and walk with calm reverence and
a spirit of recollection and prayer.
Receiving
Communion
Once you arrive at the sanctuary, what then? It depends,
of course, on how the church is designed, whether you
kneel at the altar rail to receive communion, or receive
standing. I would like to say a few words about receiving
on the tongue or receiving in the hand.
It's true that the more ancient way of receiving communion
was in the hand. Listen to what St. Cyril of Jerusalem
(fourth century) has to say about this.
"After this, ye hear the chanter, with a sacred melody,
inviting you to the communion of the Holy Mysteries and
saying: O taste and see that the Lord is good. Trust not
the decision to thy bodily palate; no, but to faith unfaltering;
for when we taste we are bidden to taste, not bread and
wine, but the Body and Blood of Christ.
Approaching, therefore, come not with thy wrists extended,
or thy fingers open; but make thy left hand as if a throne
for thy right, which is about to receive the king. And
having hollowed thy palm, receive the Body of Christ,
saying after it, Amen. Give heed lest thou lose any of
it; for what thou losest is a loss to thee as it were
from one of thine own members. For tell me, if any one
gave thee gold dust, wouldest thou not with all precaution
keep it fast, being on thy guard against losing any of
it, and suffering loss? How much more cautiously then
wilt thou observe that not a crumb falls from thee, of
what is more precious than gold and precious stones?"
Think of it! You are about to receive the Lord God Himself.
Be on your guard, therefore, against any lack of reverence.
Here is a very practical point. Those who are ordained
may take the Holy Eucharist themselves. Those who are
not ordained receive the Eucharist; they never take it.
Don't reach for it, wait until the Body of Christ is given
to you. And take to heart the words of the centurion:
"Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under
my roof, but speak only a word, and my soul shall be healed".
Along with sentiments of unworthiness there should be
sentiments of joy and gladness. For as the psalm says
(Ps 35).
How precious is thy steadfast love, O God! The children
of men take refuge in the shadow of thy wings. They feast
on the abundance of thy house, and thou givest them drink
from the river of thy delights.
The ancient way of receiving communion in the hand gradually
changed, however, as a response to occasions of abuse.
For with communion in the hand, it is easy to slip the
host into your pocket or your purse and, whether with
innocent or evil intent, commit sacrilege.
By the early middle ages the custom had changed, and communion
on the tongue was the rule. Here again, we have to be
taught. Some people barely open their mouths, and it is
difficult for the priest to place the host on their tongue.
Some people open their mouth too wide and stick out their
tongue too far, and there is the danger that the host
will fall off onto the paten or, God forbid, onto the
floor.
Let's avoid both extremes! Open your mouth wide enough
and extend your tongue far enough so that the priest can
place the host easily on your tongue.
Be aware of what you are doing. Remember the vision of
Isaiah the prophet:
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord
sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train
filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim; each
had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with
two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one
called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is
the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice
of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a
man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people
of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord
of hosts! Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having
in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs
from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: `Behold,
this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away,
and your sin forgiven'." (Is 6:1-7)
The Holy Eucharist is a burning coal, which the seraphim
places upon your tongue. It will sear your heart with
its heat, and you will be inflamed with the blaze of Divine
Charity.
A
Reminder
Now, I've said nothing new, I've told you nothing you
don't know already. This has been just a reminderboth
to me who write and to you who listenthat the sacred signs
and gestures of the Mass have a great power to open us
up to the holiness of God.
We must always remember, therefore, what the Prophet says:
"Serve the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11), and again:
"Sing praise wisely" (Ps 46:8); and "In
the presence of the angels I will sing to you" (Ps
137:1). Let us consider then, how we ought to behave in
the presence of God and his angels at mass because at
the sacrifice of the holy mass, heaven and earth do embrace.to
you who listenthat the sacred signs and gestures of the
Mass have a great power to open us up to the holiness
of God.
We must always remember, therefore, what the Prophet says:
"Serve the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11), and again:
"Sing praise wisely" (Ps 46:8); and "In
the presence of the angels I will sing to you" (Ps
137:1). Let us consider then, how we ought to behave in
the presence of God and his angels at mass because at
the sacrifice of the holy mass, heaven and earth do embrace.
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