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Vocationews VOL. 4  NO.2   APRIL 1994 - OCTOBER 1994.    

THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN THE LIFE OF A CLERIC:

(By Mrs. Grace O. Amobi)

Women as Relations, Friends/Co-Workers:

Women who saw you through as mothers and teachers still have vital roles to play in your lives as clerics. You will meet them in different capacities and in different church groups with you now playing the role of "Father", even to your mothers, (Nne Fada) to friends and relations. These people will certainly influence your live as a cleric.

 The priestly vocation should not be seen as a money making profession. There was the story of a young priest whose mother lashed with words calling him a stupid priest because he was not able to build a house in his home after "three whole years" as a priest like "Fr. A" was able to do in his own village. Should we say to such a mom: "Do not lead your son into temptation." What about relations who think that becoming a priest means taking over all family responsibilities?

Your sisters, unties, nieces could make difficult demands which you are unable to fulfil. Remember that they are women who have some roles to play in your lives whether positive or negative. You should let them know when their demands are beyond your reach. It is not appropriate to please them even when it means displeasing your conscience.

Never allow yourself to be dragged into family politics because of your mother, your untie or your sister. Whenever you visit home it could happen that someone starts to enumerate a catalogue of offenders in your family and then instead of playing the role of a peace maker, the role of the "Father" that you are, you join in the fight and then use your influence as a priest to subdue the course of justice.

Women, be they "Nne Fada", Sisters, Unties etc. occupy important positions in your lives as clerics, such positions should help you positively rather than negatively.

Shall I now take a look at you once again from another perspective - the perspective of a youth with all your youthful exuberance. This means that as a youth you are fresh, vigorous and daring. You are full of joyful, high spirited, unrestrained and overflowing prolific enthusiasm. As youths you are characterized by such positive qualities.  Such qualities could also be put into negative use.

As youths you are in the midst of friends, well wishers and admirers, women inclusive, Catholics and non Catholics alike. With these groups you would find genuine friends and well wishers but since we are in a sinful society, temptations come in one form or the other. That should not be surprising, after all Christ Himself was tempted. The most important thing is to realize when the tempter comes and how to fight the temptation. The place of a woman in the life of a cleric could be that of a temptress, so watch out!

For the Christian mothers and women in general you had better watched out and be careful of our gossips, character assassination. sycophancy, formation of cliques and gangs to disrupt the smooth running of the parish or any place of your work. Be careful of such groups that may wish to mortgage your conscience with riches and promise of earthly pleasures.

The place of women in the life of a cleric is not all stones of woes. Women are referred to as "sweet mothers" and indeed they are sweet - very sweet. Women are wonderful advisers, encouragers, helpers, psychologists. A mother immediately identifies when her son has some problems. Like the Holy Women in the bible, who played positive roles to enhance the teachings and work of Christ, women in our society today also play active roles that help to enhance the work of the cleric in various capacities. Their roles range over a wide area - from feeding the priest, cleaning the church, active participation in harvest, bazaars and other fund raising activities.  Women engage in laudable projects both short term and long term - all geared towards effective envangelization; make regular contributions to the poor, the motherless, the prisons, etc., encourage the spiritual growth of members through seminars and workshops. Women play innumerable roles either working as members of church groups or working in other areas.

When women are well mobilized and sufficiently motivated and sensitized they can become real asset to the effective growth of the church. The place of women in the life of a cleric should therefore be positively assessed. Women should help the priest grow both physically and spiritually. We should enable the priest fulfil the purpose of his calling so as to enjoy a fulfilled life for the greater glory of God. The priest on the other hand should help the women achieve their goal.

 ( These are excerpts from the talk given by Mrs. Grace Amobi, President General of Catholic Women Organization Aba Diocese, to candidates of diaconate ordination, Aba Diocese, on December 27, 1993).

    NEWS FROM ANNUNCIATION SEMINARY AMAUDARA

Annunciation seminary  played  host to the father from February 28 - March 7, 1994. The fathers of the diocese spent these days in meditative retirement at the seminary for their annual retreat. The retreat was moderated  by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. G. G. Ganaka the Archbishop of Jos. The retreat moderator shared his immense experience and spiritual life with the priests. He brought home to the fathers in a very simple but captivating manner the implications of the need for forgiveness for the life of a person. The five days of retreat were highly treasured by the fathers. The Rector, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nwokonko and his team worked tirelessly to make this period very memorable for the fathers. He used the  opportunity also to intimate the fathers  with his efforts and that of his assistants to make the seminary a true training ground for future priests.  Judging from the serene outlook of the seminary one would certainly realize the enormous discipline and hard work  that must be the other of the day in the seminary.  The rector narrated with excitement that with the provision of portable water to the seminary, some illnesses that have been the order of the day among his seminarians have almost vanished. He expressed great joy at seeing the seminarians concentrate at their formation instead of wasting precious time in water fetching as this used to be the case.  He let the fathers also know that the town of Amaudara will very soon be  connected to the main grid. He hopes that  the seminary will be among the first beneficiaries of this  electrification project.  The fathers expressed their satisfaction at the efforts the rector and his team are making. They pledged their continued support to the seminary.

 FROM OUR APOSTOLIC WORK REPORT

As advised by the parish priest, I carried out my functions well. I did my best to call  people together  for holy communion, baptism, marriage and confirmation.  I lived  with the villagers happily  and  in full attention to their problems. The  father in charge, whom I consulted sometimes, also helped me. He gave me corrections which I happily effected. I have to mention that I centered most of my preaching on the theme given us "The poor amongst us". I carefully pointed out to the faithful the need to help the poor and  I witnessed some changes in them. I avoided in every way being in enmity with the people, but made them feel at home with me. I think I pleased God and the people in the way I worked with them and for them. (Matthew Erilim S.M.M.M at St. Hyacinth Ogwe via Ngwaiyiekwe - Asa Parish).

I did not embark on home to home visitation because of the erroneous view the people had about the program. In my first week in the parish, about three Christian Mothers came to me advising me to embark on home visitation if I want to go  back with enough money. Thus I did my best to correct such impression. The parishioners are generally lovely and hospitable. I enjoyed my stay among them. (Basis Onyia at St. Margaret Umuokpoji).

Those of them who were  not yet baptized were enlisted for the sacrament of baptism, while a few others were enlisted for the reception of the First Holy Communion. This therefore made for the grouping of the classes into two. One, comprising of those for baptism and general catechism. While the second was for  the first holy communion candidates. This grouping depended on the attendance for each day. The classes began at 3.30 P.M. and concluded at 5.30 P.M. daily followed by prayers and sing songs, which the pupils never dreamt of missing. Even those who never would have attended, would quickly jump in from all nooks and corners, the moment they heard the enchanted songs of their colleagues. ( Jude Mary Nwaubani at St. Theresa's Umuaja-Amankwu,, Osokwa - St. Odilia's parish Osokwa).

I saw in the people of Omoba that "I don't care attitude". This may be traced to the fact that there exists in this little town people from different parts of Igbo land. This is a "little Eden", a town with many good things, but with one serious problem and that is the materialistic outlook of the people.  In the Church and outside the church, they only understand the language of money, and any attempt to castigate this problem always makes  a person an object of derision. This demoralizing attitude has been gradually imbibed by the youth who are hardly enthusiastic about religious associations. On a positive note, the people love liturgical exercises with the choir towering high. It is however sad to note that they are less enthusiastic about the Eucharist. From my little interview, I noticed that they hardly had confessions and some do not make efforts to reach their parish priest for this. On the whole, there is still progress in this Catholic community. The faithful at Umuoko are generous. They make every effort to see that their seminarian feels comfortable. A founding member of this community Mr. J. Njoko (85yrs) has been a great comfort to his brethren. Till date he has been making every effort to see to the growth of the Church at Umuoko. (Emmanuel Anaba at St. George's  Station  Omoba and St. Mary's Umuoko - Amairi Parish).

Constant visitation and prayers were rendered to the poor and the sick in the church. This good gesture helped in reducing their difficulties. At St. Mary's Church Oberete Asa, there was hatred and disharmony among the members. When the move for Unity was made they accepted it. The move made by the vocation ministry for this year's apostolic work titled "the poor amongst us"  made them have a sense of belonging. It should be encouraged. (Domnic Agbara at St. Mary's Station Oberete Asa - Holy Trinity Parish Obuzor).

In St. Luke's station Ntigha Okpuala, I was privileged to be the first seminarian to work there since the advent of the Catholic Church in that  place. There are many protestant churches in that place. The station has about seven Catholic families. They have no land on which to build their own church and the parish in general is planning seriously to acquire land for them.  Our separated brethren there were very happy to see a Roman Catholic seminarian for the first time  living among them. Besides I worked at St. Peter's station . Both stations receive strangers  well. (Mbahaotu Paul C. at  St. Luke's And Peter's stations  - St. Benedict's Parish Ntigha).

I  worked at St. Patrick's Ntigha,  St. Peter's Umuhu and St. Theresa's Umuetagha. At. St. Theresa's Umuetagha I discovered that many of our church members have left the church due to the attitude of their fellow members during the burial of some of their  family members. According to them, these people have refused to attend the burials because they are afraid to contact the disease that killed the  dead person. I lived well with the people in these three stations and I never regretted being sent there. They  organized a nice send-off for me. (Ogwuegbu Nelson at St. Patrick's Ntigha, St. Peter's Umuhu and St. Theresa's Umuetagha - Nvosi Parish).

As  the theme of this year's apostolic work is "the poor amongst us",  at Catholic community Ohuhu Nsulu I stressed the need to be charitable especially to those who are materially poor. The result of this appeal is that monetary gifts, clothing and food items were given to some individuals in the community who could not afford them. The need to internalize the gospel  message was  also emphasized because certain people still employ pagan methods to settle disputes. Besides, I worked at Umuakwu a  small and poor community with about 30 Catholics. The catechist travels quite a long distance to minister to the people only on Sundays. Their Church building is still under construction and the people are willing to make sacrifices. They however complained that for the past two months holy mass has not been celebrated in their station and appealed to the parish priest to take note of this. They regretted their numerical strength but would wish to host seminarians in future. I was the one and only seminarian they have ever lived with. They made donations to the poor. ( Agbara Felix at Catholic Community Ohuhu Nsulu and  Catholic community Umuakwu ).

On  arrival the parish priest received us very warmly and gave us the keys to our  rooms. We organized a one week retreat for  the parents and youth in the parish and that retreat brought our apostolic assignment in the parish to an end. Certain  things are however very pertinent: First and foremost there seems to be a sort of segregation between  members of one pious society and another and this ugly development has brought much misunderstanding in the parish. Secondly some parishioners live very far from the parish and this affects their punctuality and regularity. We are of the opinion that  the out-sketch of World Bank Parish needs a station which can as well be under Holy Cross parish. This will help ease the burden of the parishioners living within that area. ( Onwutuebe Emmanuel and Nwambu Paul at Holy Cross parish Umuocham  Aba).

All  Saints station Mbutu Nta  is the youngest station of St. Odilia's parish Akpaa I. It has a numerical strength of less than seventy people both young and old. The station is made up of   four villages namely Amuzu, Umuimo, Ibeku with Mbutu Nta as the centre. Some of these villages have one or two Catholic families. Mbutu Nta herself has four Catholic families. Since I had no bicycle , my apostolate was mainly on foot. I made serious efforts to strengthen the spiritual life of the people during my short stay there. However, the people are very much after their farmlands and business. This is why land disputes, court cases, complaints about poisoning etc. are very prevalent. If they are insistently instructed on the need of brotherly love and virtuous life they would surely make better Christians (Aloka, Kenneth Okechukwu at  Mbutu Nta - St. Odilia's parish Akpaaa)

We conducted a general  retreat which lasted one week. After the retreat, those for first holy communion received the sacrament on  August 8, 1993. We did house visitation also and were able to fish out many children for catechism classes. The sick and the aged benefited a lot because we were able to console them. ( Boniface Omattah C.S.Sp.  and Francis Opara S.M.M.M at St. Jude's Parish Amapu Ntigha).

I had a lot of experiences. I encountered a lot of pagans and had some of them converted. Also, with the help of the Lord, I put many Catholics who were not wedded  in place to wed soon. Most of the people find it difficult to contribute to build the parish on account of their "thick skulled" nature. ( Bonaventure Akwarandu at Ss.. Peter and Paul Mbutu Ngwa).

I gathered a lot of experiences. Most of these people are lukewarm with regard to Christianity. Many of them are merely camouflaging, though  an encouraging number of them are faithful. The poor among them were well cared for and strategies that would maintain the care were set up ( James Ndukwe at Ss. Peter and Paul Mbutu Ngwa).

I  wish to call attention to the  hypocritical activities of members of some societies  in this parish. These include the C.B.I.U., C.B.M. or Charismatic Renewal  Movement. Some  of them see visions during consecration  and often make one queer noise or the other thus causing distraction. In fact these menaces go unchecked. I am yet to find an atom of system in the way things are done in this parish. It seems anything goes. How I wish  the  parishioners attend Masses and other activities in some other parishes in the diocese like C.K.C. and Our Lady of Lourdes and learn how time is respected, how things are regulated, ordered, planned and executed. ( Canice Okere at Our Lady of Fatima, Umuagbaghi, Aba).

The  three stations are made up of mostly strangers. Most of the indigenes told me that they have no concrete reason for not coming to church. They just decided not to come to church. Others maintain that they can't meet up with the church's demand, in terms of contributions.  All these notwithstanding, most people contend that the reason for lack of faith in this locality is owing to the fact that other Christian denominations had long been established before the emergence of the Catholic church. It is quite unbelievable to find out that most of them do not know the simple Catholic teaching. I definitely, took time to explain some  of these teachings. (Emedolu Christian at St. Paul's Owaza; St. Mary's Obibor & Umu Elechi - Holy Trinity Parish, Obuzor).

One thing is very peculiar about this people: Many of them claim to know but only few were in minimal possession of the basic Christian truth. Some prefer remaining prisoners to their pharisaic attitude and as such are stunted in their Christian knowledge of God. The undue quest for autonomy by the individual stations is very prevalent. This constitutes a major destabilizing Factor to the healthy growth and progress of the parish in its totality. ( Alaribe Felix at St. Gabriel's Nnentu - Our Lady of Fatima Parish Umuagbai).

Obohia people are generally good and generous but the proliferation of protestant Churches is hampering the growth of  Catholicism in the community. There were so many broken families and the members belong to different churches. I taught catechism and prepared more than fifty-four candidates for baptism, first holy communion and confirmation. I equally organized Block Rosary Crusade and centres were opened at different places. Chaplets were distributed to the less privileged members of the community. I reorganized the Alter boys and a series of instructions and more training programs were given them. I conducted morning prayers for  the faithful every day after which we had morning mass. I suggest that viable parishes help small ones like Obohia Station with a population of about six hundred and sixty Catholics. ( Akwari Godwin at St. Pius Church Obohia Ndoki).

I was assigned to teach Catechism, help out in the Catechist's office, visit pious associations and above all assist at masses. The orderliness during offertory and Holy Communion is really commendable and I therefore call on other Church-Warders to copy from their C.K.C. counterparts. Secondly the idea of combining the evening prayers (vespers) with Benediction is really commendable and I call on other parishes especially the urban ones to copy it. (Donatus Ironuma at Christ The King Cathedral Parish Aba).

Though it is a very small station with a total population of 68 members together with children, yet they are not lagging behind in their responsibilities as Catholics, they identify with each other. They accorded me a warm stay and came to my assistance each time I needed their attention. As a result of their little number and their age they lack the personnel to constitute the local church council. This  made it more difficult for them to have able leaders. The activities of the station teacher is not encouraging to the poor station. He is too engrossed in his other engagements. I am very optimistic that they will do better if attention is given them as to eradicate their problems and more instruction on the Catholic faith given them. (Charles Ikeocha at St. Joseph's station Amator - St. Odilia's Parish Akpaa).

The stations were hospitable to me. Their general problem is that they are not at home with the doctrines of the church, especially the youth. ( Uko Fidelis Nnaemeka, at. St. John's Umunagalagu, St. Peter's Ndiolumbe and St. Michael's Mgbokonta - Sacred Heart Parish Nvosi).

St. Peter's Asa-Amator has the potentiality of growing when properly taken care of. For  instance, the faithful attributed their lukewarm attitude towards morning prayers and other evening activities to non-availability of the station catechist. Expressing his views about this year's apostolic work, the vice chairman of the station said that infant churches should be given more attention and visited regularly to encourage them spiritually. He suggested that seminarians should live in out-stations, while all support towards their welfare should come from the parish centre. At St. Michael's Umuocheal there was poor attendance at everything even Sunday Services.  ( Peter Ali at St. Peter's Asa-Amator and St. Michael's Umuocheala - St. Mary's Parish Abayi Ariaria).

I  was assigned the Umuezi group of St. Jude's Catholic Church Ohuru consisting of 7 stations.  In all, the stations were really trying especially in spiritual matters. The problem of polygamy however persists. I warned them on the matter and proved the idea of one man to one wife for them on the basis of the scriptures. I conducted a retreat to strengthen their faith. Visitations were done in the evenings. (Stanley Anozie (S.M.M.M) at St. Gabriel's Ofokobe; All Saints Umuaba; St. Mary's Umuette; St. Joseph's Umuocha; Ss. Peter & Paul Ikpuala-Umuasakwo; St. Mary's Amano and St. Michael's Umuezi - St. Jude's Parish Ohuru).

The parishioners are not so many compared to other parishes in the Urban area of the diocese.  We did some home visitations and encouraged the faithful to be committed to their  duties as Christians and help the parish priest whose work is very difficult. (Stephen Chilaka and Joachim Nnanna at Corpus Christi D.D. Estate, Aba)

CHRONICLES

 December 26 - December 28, 1993: The vocations ministry organized a three day recollection for the candidates to the diaconate ordination. Very Rev. Msgr. Innocent Alaribe spoke to the candidates on the life and expectations of a deacon. Mrs. Grace Amobi examined the place of women in the life of a cleric with the candidates. The vocations director discussed canons 1040 - 1049 with the candidates.

December 28, 1993:  The candidates for  diaconate ordination were incardinated into the diocese and the  code of conduct for the diocese administered to them.

December 28, 1993: Ezeh Gabriel, Omotu Charles, Iroh Anthony, Nwoko Ignatius, Okite Chiemeka, Uwasomba Chikezie and Donatus Ironuma were ordained deacons.  Okonkwor Alexander and  Ezeh Christian were installed acolytes.  Those installed lectors were:   Omenihu Anthony, Adiukwu Richard, Alaribe Felix, Ali Peter, Nwosu Fredrick, Onyia Basil, Umeh Emmanuel, Uwakwe Epenesius, Uwalaka Francis and Ezennabudo Chinedu.

February 28, 1994:  Posting of seminarians on apostolic work after their senior secondary school.

February 28 - March 4, 1994: Fathers' annual retreat at Annunciation Seminary Amaudara. The retreat was moderated by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. G. G. Ganaka the Archbishop of Jos.

April 6, 1994: The vicariate examination was held.

April 7, 1994: The annual workshop on apostolic work and welfare of seminarians was held. The primus Rev. Anthony Iroh sat in for the vocation director.

SCHEDULE:

July 4, 1994: Apostolic work for senior seminarians begins (Duration 6 weeks). This is once again an opportunity for seminarians and  the faithful to interact. They should enrich each other from the treasures of their experiences and faith.

July 23, 1994:  Priestly ordination at Christ The King Cathedral, Aba. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. V. V. Ezeonyia will ordain the following deacons priests: Rev. Chikezie Uwasomba, Rev. Emeka Okite, Rev. Gabriel Eze, Rev. Ignatius Nwoko.

August 6, 1994: Priestly Ordination at St. Thomas Parish Eziudo Mbaise. Rev. Anthony Iroh will be ordained priest in his home.

August 13, 1994: The priestly ordination of Rev. Charles Omotu at his home parish St. Patrick's Parish Ekwerazu Mbaise.

August 16, 1994: Apostolic Work for senior seminarians ends.

August 17, 1994:  Annual Consultation with the Bishop for  all  senior seminarians.

August 20, 1994: Rev. Donatus Ironuma will be ordained at Regina Pacis Parish Ihioma, Orlu.

VOCATIONS COORDINATION COMMITTEE

will meet on Monday September 5, 1994. All religious communities resident and working in the diocese are to send representatives. Venue is the chancery. Time is 8.30 a.m.

1994 PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS:

The Vocations Ministry  thanks God for the increase in vocation in Aba. Between July 23, 1994 and August 20, 1994 seven deacons will be ordained priests for Aba diocese (see schedule). Let us join in prayer for our new priests

OFFICIAL POSTING

The vocations ministry congratulates the following on their first official posting on apostolic work after class six: Nwokoro Cyril (All Saints Obigbo) Nwokeukwu Uchenna Charles (ST. Mary's Ariaria) Eneogwe Ambrose Ikechukwu (St. Margaret's Umuokpoji) Nwaogwugwu Dozie Declan (St. Anthony & Jude, Aba), Ifedigbo Charles C. (St. Eugene's Parish Aba) Enweremadu Cyprian I. ( St. Pius Parish Obohia) Ike Felix  (St. Joseph's Aba/ Bishop's House) For Annunciation Seminary, Amaudara: Onwunjiogu Valentine M., Ajanma Emmanuel I., Alozie Eugene I.,  Udah Nicholas C.; Okoye Uchechukwu E. (St. Paul's Abaukwu),  Onumadu Emmanuel Obinna. (St. John's Iheorji, Aba.) Muoghalu Christopher C.  (Our Lady of Lourdes, Aba.) Onwuma Damian Ifeanyi (Ss. Peter and Paul Mbutu Ngwa )            

IN UNION OF PRAYERS WITH OUR BENEFACTORS/BENEFACTRESSES 

St. Ann Aba Urban( Nigeria), Lady Knights of St. Mulumba (Nigeria), Chief  Sir A.E.N. Izuwah and Family (Nigeria), Mr. Fabian Ajere (Nigeria),  Rene Scheidegger and Family( Switzerland),  Mrs. Inge Meier (Switzerland), Gruppe Weltkirche (Feldbach, Austria), Mrs. Sylvia and Dr. Peter Saladin and Family (Switzerland), Mrs. Kunz Margrit (Switzerland), Mrs. Schaller Martha (Switzerland), Mrs. Bianca Zurkinden (Switzerland), Mrs. Spahni Ruth (Switzerland), Mr. Holenstein Paul (Switzerland), Mr. Scherrer Joseph (Switzerland,  His Excellency Bishop Johann Weber (Austria), Dechant Johann Leopold (Austria), Kanonikus Gottfried Lafer (Austria).  St. John's  Catholic Community, Muensingen (Switzerland). Sir and Lady Innocent Okoroama (Nigeria),  Mr. Bill Mills (U.S.A.), Chief and Mrs. Grace Amobi (Nigeria). We thank our benefactors and  ask God to reward them abundantly. Always pray for your benefactors!!

Sponsorship: The vocations ministry is always happy to have people  or groups that are willing to train a seminarian or support priests. This is an opportunity to show your gratitude to God in a special way.

Congratulations And Farewell: The vocations ministry congratulates all seminarians who passed their B.Phil., B.D.  and SSSC exams.

Mr. Onwumere Cornelius and Mr. Ihejirika Innocent have left the seminary. We wish them God's blessings and guidance in their choice of alternative vocations.

INTER-DIOCESAN APOSTOLIC WORK

We heartily welcome these seminarians to our diocese: Innocent Amasiorah , Eugene Nwankwo, Okwara Emmanuel, Emmanuel Ozuma, Gabriel Ude, Francis Chukwuma, Romanus Ebonyi, Lawrence Maduagwu, Akajiofor Pius, Paul Obiji.

Those from our diocese on Inter-diocesan Apostolic Work: Omenihu Anthony, Adiukwu Richard, Alaribe Felix, Ali Peter, Nwosu Fredrick, Onyia Basil, Umeh Emmanuel, Uwakwe Epenesius, Uwalaka Francis and Ezennabudo Chinedu.

1993 ANNUAL CONSULTATION WITH THE BISHOP

      All  seminarians on six weeks,  six months, one year apostolic work  together with spiritual year students and those on probation are to report to the C.K.D., chancery, Aba on Wednesday August 17, 1994 for the annual consultation with the bishop.  All are expected to  be seated in the conference hall at 8.30 a.m.

CONSULTATION WITH THE VOCATION DIRECTOR

All those wishing to consult the vocations director can do so every first Monday of the month. The venue is the C.K.D. chancery and the time is from 7.30 a.m. to 9 .30 a.m. His address is P.M.B. 7526, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

MEMENTO MORI -  OUR DEAD:

The Vocations Ministry regrets to announce the death on November 6, 1993 of Rev. Sr. Adline Ojukwu. Until her death she was the principal of Mercy Secondary School, Ogbor Hill, Aba. Rev. Fr. Sylvester Nnabugwu died on December 13, 1993. He was the pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul parish Mbutu Ngwa. The diocese of Aba equally mourns Very Rev. Msgr. Elias Makolu who died on March 23, 1994.  He was the parish priest of St. Paul's parish Aba-Ukwu. The Lord has called Pa. Edmund Burk Okoro the Father of Rev. Fr. Ebeneza Okoro, and Pa Fred Atunzu the father of Rev. Fr. Kevin Atunzu. Mr. Emmanuel Umeh a seminarian of Aba diocese lost his brother Mr. Christian Umeh in a ghastly motor accident. Mr. Kenneth Aloka lost his grandmother. May the souls of our departed brothers and sisters and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. 

 Articles for publication in the Vocationews should be submitted early enough to the Vocations Director for editing.

 Hearty Congratulations for very fruitful ministry in the Lords vineyard for:

  20 Year:                                    

Rev.  Fr. Onyebarachi N.