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Vocationews VOL.
5 NO. 1 OCTOBER 1994 - APRIL 1995
THESE MEN OF
GOOD WILL!!
By
(Rev. Fr.
During this Christmas the angel
of the Lord will once again proclaims
peace to men of good will. Good will is so important that without it the
harmonious coexistence among human
beings would be difficult. It is the
force underlying certain incomprehensible and baffling actions of men. Frankly speaking, it never ceases to baffle
me seeing the Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin giving the Chairman of
Palestine Liberation Organization Yasir Arafat the fraternal kiss. Perhaps this feeling is shared by many: Here are two men symbolic of peoples whose
interests have for years excluded and often undermined that of the other as
enemies. We can understand the recent steps taken by these two men to bring
peace to their people and their neighbours only in the light of the words of
the angel: Peace to men of good will. Early this year this wind of change
also blew in the
THE
COURAGE TO TAKE RISK
Not once or twice were these men involved in different types of
negotiations towards achieving peace.
In many occasions promises were made and broken, expectations raised and
shattered. The idea of entering into fresh negotiations and signing fresh
agreements that might end in
unfulfilled promises, disappointment and even shame must have been a very
troubling and torturing idea. But to achieve lasting peace and in fact any
laudable objective means taking positive and bold actions the obstacles,
oppositions and even contradictions notwithstanding. This courage to listen to the voice of good will and act
decisively towards reaping its fruits is very characteristic of these men of
good will.
HIGHER IDEALS:
The first thing that comes to mind is that good will devoid of idealism
is soon deprived of its moving force. It is this idealism that makes it
possible for one to break with the limitations
imposed by momentary considerations of
the past. In the case of the
Arabs and the Jews, the destiny of millions of Palestinians and Jews is greater
than the enmity and shattered ego of individuals that has kept both nations
apart. Just as long years of wars and petty considerations have made it
impossible for dreams of many people to be realized, so also has the idealism
of a few made it possible for light to be spotted at the end of a dark tunnel.
THE INSIGHT TO GIVE THE OTHER A CHANCE
It is only through giving a
person a chance to perform that we can determine whether true changes can take
place and indeed whether such changes have actually taken place. A person who is not given a chance to
perform can hardly demonstrate his good will and where we have not the
opportunity to experience people's good will we can hardly experience them as
men of peace.
THE FIRM
BELIEF IN PERFECTIBILITY OF HUMAN NATURE
When people who are engaged in a conflict are not ready to overlook some
irrational moments that made coexistence impossible they can never achieve
peace. This disposition creates the atmosphere of true forgiveness. I overlook
your diabolical activities of the past with the hope that you can make amend
for the future. This is the most pragmatic act of good will since it concedes
the fact that the other can always be re-entangled in wrong doing but is always
ready to enter into dialogue: You enjoy my act of good will whenever you are
ready to desist from your old ways.
These men of good will seem to
be carried by the idea that positive changes can always occur within human
experience. They thus subscribe to true repentance which is not
characterized by mundane striking of the breast but by the
true realization that the ills of the past were occasioned by circumstances
that made a certain type of action and behaviors at a certain time in the past
tolerable but now undesirable. Such realization exposes the ugly implications
of such past actions and seeks ways to hinder their reoccurrence in future.
Such a repentance makes it possible to see the convergence of interest of all
whose interests are at stake such that a disruption of peace is a disadvantage
to all concerned. How abundantly would men reap the fruits of true peace if
they had the will to abhor their wrong
doings from the depth of their hearts proclaiming "Enough is
Enough"!!
NEWS FROM
ANNUNCIATION SEMINARY AMAUDARA
With
the departure of Rev. Fr.
Emmanuel Nwokonko for further studies
the seminary has been blessed with a very young team of administrators to pilot her affairs. Rev.
Fr. Cajetan Uchendu is now the Acting
Rector of the seminary. He is assisted by Rev. Fr. Hedilaha Chiemeka Okite and
Rev. Fr. Anthony Iroh who were ordained
1994. Rev. Fr. Jude Obidum remains the bursar of the seminary. While maintaining the policies of his
predecessors the Rector spoke of subtle adjustments to consolidate the work
earlier begun. Rev. Fr. Okite now assumes greater responsibility by being the dean
of the three senior classes while Fr. Iroh concentrates on the junior classes
as the dean. This administration by segmentation, the Rector revealed, is
paying off since aided by the three senior seminarians and three prefects
posted there the administration has a thorough grasp of the affairs of the
young seminarians. The Rector is very grateful to the Vocations Ministry for
posting to them , Mr. Nwambu Paul and Mr. Agbara Felix Ikeagwuchi, who are on
diocesan assignment at Amaudara seminary.
He see these men together with Mr. Agorchukwu Lawrence, Mr. Eneogwe
Ambrose, Mr. Nwokeukwu Charles and Mr. Okeke A. Canice as very formidable tolls
towards a proper formation of the junior seminarians. He emphasized the need to
instill new life into the seminary choir and hopes to enlist the expertise of
Mr. Chilaka Stephen a second year theologian for this task. With the
appointment of Rev. Fr. Stan Achoromadu as the Spiritual Director of
Annunciation seminary, the young seminarians have now an experienced priest and
a father figure to look towards with
some of their spiritual and personal problems. Fr. Achoromadu sees his
appointment as timely and expresses great satisfaction at the execution of his
duties. He never ceases to recount his wonderful experiences with the pastoral
team he is working with and sees his position as an opportunity to give the
spiritual formation of the young a
specific touch and character. He pointed out that the work in the seminary
chapel which is progressing very fast
would help to consolidate his gains.
FROM OUR APOSTOLIC WORK REPORTS
Many
of the faithful were very
eager in receiving me. However they
still have difficulties in certain practices of the church. On the issue of
wedding, for example, they are more concerned with the feasting surrounding it.
They postpone their wedding to such a time as they would have enough money to
entertain many guests. The youth were very much interested in amusements than
in the things of God. I suggest that people here should be made to be more
aware of the importance of marriage. (Placid Obiji (SMMM) at St. Mary's Kom Kom
in All Saints Parish Oyibo).
I
stayed two weeks and four days at St. Augustine's Avor. They hosted me
in a low key and this is understandable considering the heavy load they are
carrying concerning the ordination scheduled there and also considering the
poverty of the people. It was difficult to get at the people because the
station catechist has gone on retirement
and no one agreed to take up the post. I worked tirelessly to see that the
ordination went well and smoothly. I prepared candidates for first holy communion. At St. Andrew's Umuogele I was warmly
welcomed. I helped the choir, instructed and encouraged the pious societies,
prepared candidates for first holy communion. The catechist was a good hand. (Kenneth Aloka at Avor and Umuogele in St.
Benedict's Parish Ntigha).
The people were hospitable to me.
There zeal in carrying out their work is punctured by the fact that there is
segregation among Catholics in the village. This hinders the work of
evangelization in this area especially among the youth. I strongly suggest that
this problem be looked into. (Fidelis Uko at C.K.C. Umuagu in Amiri parish).
On my arrival, I was given a warm
reception by the parish priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Nneji. He deployed me to my
station of work and I organized my program around this year's theme for
apostolic work "accountability". The program yielded much fruit. In
the first instance, there was a general increase in the number of people coming
for sacraments and morning prayers. More so, different pious societies got
stronger as many of them promised to be more committed in different ways. The
parish priest gave much support to my work and this reinforced my confidence.
(Bethrand Ariuignzo SMMM at St. Benedict's station in St. Benedict's parish
Ntigha)
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 the 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).
I
traversed the whole area I worked both Umuezi and Okpuala Umuosakwu. The
Catholics in both places are highly receptive and welcoming to classes as they
hopefully anticipated the arrival of a parish priest for which they are
preparing earnestly. They have furnished their parish priest's residence. Rapid
growth of the church is being hampered by mutual mistrust and suspicion among
the two villages. I also worked at Umuocha. Unfortunately their chairman died
two weeks before my arrival. This incident dampened their commitment. I
observed that there are no religious societies to take care of catechetical
instructions in this area and seriously recommend that some be established
soon. Besides, I worked at Ofokobe from where I looked after Umuaba. Both areas
were very open and receptive. They decried the little time I spent with them -
one week. I couldn't visit Amano in the same area due to time. The last station
I visited was Umuette. This is a promising station with few members. (Anthony
Dimkpa CCE at Umuezi, Okpuala Umuosaku, Umuocha, Ofokobe, Umuaba and Amano
stations in St. Jude's Parish, Ohuru).
The parish priest himself drove me
to my place of assignment - Amaorji. The people received me well. However the
people have heard the word but are yet to put it into practice. They have seen
the way but are yet to make up their minds about following it. They are yet to
be Christians. I later continued with my apostolic work at the parish centre.
Here, I was well received. I was however pushed to thinking that they have
gossiping as a hobby here. They make free use of their tongues and are never in
control of their feeling. There exists a great disunity between the indigenes
and the strangers. They find it hard to agree on a point without much effort. I
am grateful to the pastoral team of two priests from whom I learnt much
especially in their spirit of
innovation and sense of mission. (Kenneth Mbaagwu at Amaornji and in Regina
Caeli parish Obehie Asa).
I was assigned to work at St.
Lawrence Mkporobe and St. Hyacinth's Ogwe. The people are generally good. At
St. Lawrence, however, there is a visible lack of love, peace and unity.
Visiting and caring for the sick is a burden to them. At St. Hyacinth Ogwe, I experienced
what I may call "barbaric-system-of
life" a far cry to the modern catholic church. Here, disintegration
and dichotomy is the order of the day. A station comprising of strangers from
various parts of Igbo land, with different
types of mentality. This makes the faithful to be divided into smaller
ethnic groups residing in the same station, which has resulted to intertribal
wars. Much work of reconciliation is needed here. (Ebere Francis at
Mkporobe/Ogwe stations in Regina Caeli Paris Obehie Asa).
Imo River station is to say the
least good. The people are mostly peasant farmers with only a few petty traders
or civil servants. They are generally
hospitable and generous in their poverty while remaining faithful to their
faith and belief. They have good relationship with each other and encourage the
fallen Christians in their midst. A good number of them are very sincere and open to receiving
instructions with regard to their spiritual and even social life. Their major
problem is lateness to almost all exercises in the church, this might be due to
the Odagwa market which sells every four days. I also worked at Okohia. The
station has very few members but they are dedicated with deep rooted conviction
about their faith. Their attendance at
morning prayers is very encouraging. Both stations have more non-indigenes that
indigenes. The non-indigenes are apathetic to the church and see it as an
affair of a certain set of people. This situation is unhealthy. More result can
be effected here if they are instructed deeply and constantly in the church's
doctrines. (Jephthah Asuoha at Imo River and Okohia stations in All Saints
Oyibo)
We embarked on home visitation and
census taking. There are so many protestant churches existing here and there
within this one station parish. These churches pull so heavily on the faith of
lukewarm Catholics that in a family you find people belonging to different
denominations. They need to be instructed more on the sacraments because
initially they were very slow in coming for sacraments. They are good and
hospitable, with careful and wise approach they will respond more fully. (Marcellinus
Ihejirimara CMF, Paulinus Nwachukwu CCE, Longinus Onyechesi at St. Jude's
parish Amapu Ntigha).
Many Catholics at Amachi are weak
unto the marrow especially the youth. Some have already left the church and
many more may be leaving. The choir has collapsed. The root of these problems
could be sought in the fact that members of this station bring family and
village misunderstanding into the church. They complain that it is too
expensive to be in the church due to levies. Eziama Nsulu is a Catholic
dominated area but their is a lot of idolatry involving many Catholics. We had
seven new converts during my short stay there. Out of the twenty that were
baptized fourteen were adults. (Alfred Nwaobasi at Amachi and Eziama Nsulu in
St. Anthony's Parish Nbawsi).
I observed that St. Peter's station
Umuekpe is made up of over 94% Catholics yet most of the couples there are yet
to wed in the Church. After marriage instructions, encouragement and series of
advice only a few accepted and registered for marriage. The issue is quite
different in C.K.C. station Eziama where most of the couples have already
wedded in the church. (Godwin Akwari at
Eziama central and Umuekpe in St. Benedict's Parish, Ntigha).
This
is a parish to reckon with. Here the general maxim "united we stand, and
divided we fall" is clearly manifested. Again the rate at which people
turn out for spiritual exercises is worthy of emulation. We pray the good Lord
to bless and sustain the priests and the faithful. (Emmanuel Okwara at Our Lady
of Lourdes, Aba).
While working at the parish centre
with my friend, Mr. Lawrence Maduagwu, I was privileged to be assigned to one
of the outstations - Our Lady of Fatima Mkpumkpu-Evule where I celebrated some
Sunday services with the faithful. Our Lady of Fatima station is a very small
station of about forty-eight members but with a vast expanse of land. Some
Protestants and pagans are imposing some threats to the church and her members.
Some time in the past "thieves" removed a quarter of the zinc used
for the church roof and keep on throwing away their sigh-board. The Catholic
community there is calling on the Diocese to come to her aid. (Peter Nwedo at
Mkpumkpu-Evule in St. John's parish Iheorji).
St. Paul's Mbutu Umuojima is a small
station of about fifty adults, mostly women and few men. Judging from the
achievements they have made in the past which include, building the
catechist's house, the church and its
decoration and other things, I think they must have been in progress in the
past but presently it won't be wrong to say that they are retrogressing. The
number of their members is decreasing.
Few fallen ones when consulted continue making the unfulfilled promise "I
will start coming". St. Jude's Umuoyoro is a station of about twenty
adults and many fallen Catholics. The catechist comes from afar because they
have not finished building the catechists house. Just as in Mbutu Umuojima
there are many Christian denominations here. I was able to count thirteen.
There are many unwed couples and this prevents many from going to communion.
When consulted most of them said that they have no money and promised to wed in future. Anthony Chukwuma
at Mbutu Umuojima and Umuoyoro in Holy Trinity parish Obuzor).
On arriving Aga my first station, a
warm welcome was given to me. They are
devoted Christians though not without problems. Some of them are allergic to
sacraments especially baptism and matrimony. The reason they give is that they
have no money for the wedding ceremony. Those of them who do not attend church
have no concrete reason for keeping away upon interrogation. They said
"let us weigh ourselves on the much we have attended". Ngwaobi my
second station of assignment is the smallest in the parish. There are few
faithful members here but irrespective of that, they are good and cooperative.
The proliferation of protestant churches is hampering the growth of Catholicism
in the community. (Jerome Opuehi at Aga and Ngwaobi in Regina Pacis Parish
Amaudara).
Though a small community, the members of Umuozuo are full of zeal.
However they hardly go to confession and
Sunday masses are irregular due to lack of priests. Many are migrating
to St. Margret's Uratta. His Lordship,
Bishop Ezeonyia at his visit promised to send more priests to the parish. I
love the new method of continuous assessment adopted by the parish priest,
Msgr. Obiego for preparing those for the 1st Holy Communion. The method helps
the candidates touch and know the church's doctrine well. (Innocent Amasiorah
-Inter-diocesan - at Umuozuo and St. Eugene's Aba).
The congregation is often passive
during liturgical celebrations. The choir has a lot to do in this respect: It
should choose those songs that every person can sing for active participation
in the liturgy. Those who teach catechism often find it difficult to absorb the
senior seminarians on apostolic work. They consider the presence of senior
seminarians disturbing and as an encroachment on their privileges to teach.
(Christian Eze at Christ The King Cathedral Aba).
Generally,
the faithful in both stations have the spirit of hospitality and this they
expressed to me throughout my stay with them. Their response was high
especially on the part of the children but there are certain fundamental
problems that are drawing their faith back from God such as polygamy, belief in
idol worship, intermarriage with Non-Catholics and lack of deep knowledge of
some of the Catholic doctrines (Nwagboso Magnus at St. Colman Umumba and St.
Michael's Amapu Na Umueji in Holy Trinity Parish Obuzor).
Both communities were good to me and
their approach to certain issues is also satisfactory. However Ohabiam
Community should endeavor to profess their faith to God, not only through
material support. At Nnentu, there is a huge progress in the house of their
parish priest.. They have the ambition
to be declared a parish before the year 1994 runs out. (Evurulobi Kenneth at
Nativity of Our Lord Ohabiam and St. Gabriel's Nnentu both in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Umuagbai).
Besides teach catechism we were of
uttermost help to families in disputes. We did a lot of counselling which
helped to reunite families. It is
necessary to remark that some of the parishioners tend to abandon their
religious obligations to the parish and attend services at neighboring parishes.
It is necessary to educate the faithful on the need to abide by their parish
and parish priest. A general retreat if organized to this effect could be
effective (Felix Agbara at Corpus Christi D.D. Estate, Aba).
In addition to my catechetical assignment
I did house to house visitation. I gave the faithful words of encouragement to
strengthen their faith while to the lapse I gave 'word of life' in order to
come back to the Lord. During this visitation, the people were happy to see me
in their houses. I prayed for the peace of God to reign in their families. I
also visited block rosary centres. I thank the Almighty God who made it
possible for me to work in this noble diocese. (Anslem Nwagbara on
Inter-diocesan apostolic work at Our Lady of Fatima parish, Umuagbai).
On arrival three of us were warmly
received by the parish priest Rev. Dr. Ralph Nwosu who introduced us to the
faithful the following Sunday. We gathered a lot of experiences while at
Umuocham . We made out time to visit all the pious societies in the parish and
organized retreats for some of them. Since most of the members of this parish are traders we made out time to
visit them at home in the evenings. One thing should however deserves urgent attention in this parish.
This is the issue of sectionalism between members of one pious group and the
other, between one set of people from a particular locality and another. (Anaba
Emmanuel and Joseph Ubani at Holy Cross Parish, Umuocham Aba).
CHRONICLES
July
23, 1994: His Lordship Rt. Rev.
Dr. V. V. Ezeonyia ordained the
deacons priests: Rev. Chikezie Uwasomba, Rev. Emeka Okite, Rev. Gabriel Eze,
Rev. Ignatius Nwoko and Rev Donatus Ironuma. The ordination was well attended
by members of the ordinands' families,
well wishers and over 150 priests from different dioceses. His Lordship in his
sermon emphasizes the duties of the priest and admonished the new priests to
live up to expectations placed on them in the light of the changing world of today. The new priests
were accorded very warm receptions after their ordination and conveyed the
highly appreciated first blessings on the people.
August 6, 1994: His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Victor Chikwe ordained Rev. Anthony Iroh
priest at his home parish in Eziudo Mbaise.
August 13, 1994: The priestly ordination of Rev. Charles Omotu at his home parish St.
Patrick's Parish Ekwerazu Mbaise.
August 17, 1994: The Annual Consultation with
the Bishop for all senior seminarians took place as scheduled.
The seminarians hand ample opportunity to discuss their problems with his
Lordship.
October 8, 1994: Reception of His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Mark Unegbu and Msgr. Moses
Emerenini. Both brethren were received in Aba diocese in commemoration of the
50th anniversary of their priestly ordination.
SCHEDULE
The next recollection of the priests of
Aba diocese is on November 7,
1994 at St. Peter's parish Umueleghele. Rev. Fr. Obineche C.S.Sp. will
speak to the fathers on "The Challenges of Leadership".
- The last recollection of the priests of Aba diocese for the year 1994
is on 5th December at St. Jude's parish
Orhur parish. Rev. Fr. Amadi CMF will speak to the fathers on "Fear of the
Unknown and Social Security".
- The date for the next diaconate ordination and installations has
been fixed for December 17, 1994. The following seminarians
will be ordained deacons: Okonkwor
Alexander and Ezeh Christian. Those to
be installed acolytes are: Omenihu
Anthony, Adiukwu Richard, Ali Peter, Nwosu Fredrick, Onyia Basil, Uwakwe
Epenesius, Uwalaka Francis and Ezennabudo Chinedu. Those to be
installed lectors are: Nwedo Peter, Okwara Emmanuel, Chilaka Stephen, Evurulobi
Kenneth, Efuneshi Callistus, Onwutuebe Emmanuel.
- The annual spiritual conference for the candidates for diaconate
ordination has been scheduled for the period between December 12th and December 16th 1994. Moderators for the
event include: Rev. Fr. J. Ihenacho , Rev. Fr. L. Ezeji C.S.Sp., Dr. (Mrs.) L. U. N. Izuwah, and Very Rev. Fr. G. Chijioke. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Onwumere
will discuss canons 1040 - 1049 with
the candidates.
- FATHERS ANNUAL RETREAT : The annual retreat of the priests of
Aba diocese will take place during the second week of Lent. The retreat
moderator is Rev. Fr. Kevin Atunzu.
- VICARIATE
EXAMINATION
The vicariate examination has been scheduled for EASTER WEDNESDAY APRIL 18, 1995. The examination will be held at the
chancery.
- Each seminary is to send her representatives for the meeting with the
vocations director at the chancery on Easter Thursday April 19, 1995. Issues
concerning apostolic work, welfare and the theme of the vocation year will be
discussed. Each seminary is to work out a theme for the vocation year 1995/96
for presentation. Moreover each seminary is to present a working material for
1995 apostolic work based on the theme of vocation year 1994/95.
- VOCATION SUNDAY: This is an
opportunity to reflect on the special and different vocations to which
Christians have been called. It should be an occasion to imitate both the zeal
of the great missionary Philip and the humility of the Ethiopian Eunuch. We
should start early enough to plan for this great event. Moreover the need for
"togetherness" as a very important disposition to successful Christian
living should be brought to the awareness of the faithful.
- VOCATIONS
COORDINATION
There will be a meeting for the diocesan vocations coordination
committee on Monday March 6, 1995. All religious communities resident and working
in the diocese are to send representatives. Venue is the chancery. Time: 9.
a.m. Agenda: "The First Five Years".
POSTINGS AND
CHANGES
The vocations
ministry congratulates our seven
new priests who have since assumed duties
at their different places of assignment and wishes them very happy apostolate.
Rev. Fr. Edward Okeke-Oraeki C.S.Sp. and Rev. David Atuanya C.S.Sp. who were
ordained this year have since assumed duties in Aba diocese. Rev. Fr. Atuanya
replaces Rev. Fr. Agorchukwu C.S.Sp. at
Ogbor Hill while Rev. Fr. Oraeki is
working at Christ The King Cathedral. We
welcome them to Aba diocese and wish them all the best.
- The two senior seminarians, Nwambu Paul and Agbara Felix Ikeagwuchi,
are on diocesan assignment at Amaudara seminary. Agorchukwu Lawrence, Eneogwe
Ambrose, Nwokeukwu Charles and Okeke A. Canice are on probation. Agorchukwu
Lawrence is a 4th year Theologian while the other three have just finished
their SS 3 exams.
Nativity Spiritual Year,
Ozu-Abam
The diocese is sending a contingent of 21 seminarians for the 1994/95
spiritual year. The seminarians are: Adiegwu Francis, Alozie
Eugene, Amadi Chrysogonus, Chinkere Nwogwugwu, Anene Fredrich, Bede Ukaegbu,
Ifedigbo Charles, Enweremadu Cyprian, Onwunjiogu Valentine, Ike Felix, Ajanma
Emmanuel, Muoghalu Christopher, Nwaogwugwu Declan, Nwokoro Cyril, Obinna
Onumadu, Ohadugha John Bosco, Okeke Ifeanyi, Onwuma Damian, Onyenso Peter,
Uchechukwu Okoye and Udah Nicholas.
First Year
Philosophy 1994/95
With the
creation of Owerri
ecclesiastical province all first
year philosophy seminarians are to continue their studies at Seat of Wisdom
Seminary, Owerri. The first year seminarians are: Alaribe
Theodore, Anakebe Kenneth, Chigbu Andrew, Ekpendu David, OfobuikeMarcellinus,
OhanachomAlphonsus, Okorochukwu Philip Mary and Uzoigwe Henry.
Back to Studies
Rev. Fr.
Emmanuel
Nwokonko after his tenure as the
rector of Annunciation Seminary Amaudara is now back to studies at the
university of Calabar, Nigeria. Rev. Fr. Willy Onwumdi is now in Rome for
studies after many years in Annunciation Seminary. Ndukwe James and Nnanna
Joachim have successfully completed their
one year diocesan assignment at Annunciation seminary Amaudara. The
vocations ministry thanks.
Back from Studies The vocations ministry welcoms
Rev. Fr. Benedict Nwolu back from
Denver U.S.A. after many years of
very intensive studies.
Congratulations And Farewell
The vocations
ministry
congratulates all seminarians who
were promoted in the last year.
- Rev. Fr. George Onyia and Rev. Fr. Peter Nwosu have
travelled to Italy on special
missionary assignment. The vocations ministry wishes them very fruitful
apostolate.
- Our two seminarians Alaribe Felix and Umeh Emmanuel are
now continuing their studies in Austria The
vocations ministry wishes them success.
Christopher
Madugha (Seat of Wisdom Seminary) left
the seminary since June this year. We wish him God's blessings in his future
endeavors.
DOMINICANS IN ABA DIOCESE
With
the posting of
Dominican Fathers to Obigbo in Rivers
State, Aba diocese has once again taken
a further measure towards diversified evangelizations in
the diocese. Speaking at a function
organized for the priests of Aba diocese by the Dominican fathers in Obigbo the
bishop of Aba diocese highlighted the important role the Dominican spirituality
plays in work of evangelization. He urged the priests present to avail
themselves of the opportunity of the presence of the Dominicans to know more of
the spiritual life and special apostolate of this congregation. Speaking of
their deployment in Aba diocese, the Dominicans in-charge Rev. Fr. Charles Ukwe
O.P. expressed great satisfaction with their deployment. He spoke with
excitement concerning their assignment in Obigbo.
APPOINTMENTS:
His Lordship
has appointed
Rev. Fr. Stan Achoromadu the
spiritual director of Annunciation Seminary Amaudara. He has since assumed
office. Fr. Achoromadu was once the parish priest of St. Mary's Ariaria
Aba.
- As the youngest priest of the diocese Rev. Fr. Omotu
Charles has been appointed an honorary member of the editorial board of
Vocationews. He will recount to us his
experiences of one year as a priest sometime next year.
We congratulate them.
IN UNION OF PRAYERS
WITH OUR BENEFACTORS
St. Ann Aba Urban( Nige
ria), 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), Mrs. M. Baehler (Switzerland), Mrs.
Buller (Germany) . We thank our benefactors and ask God to reward them abundantly. Always pray for your
benefactors.
Sponsorship