By Nna Anulumadu
The auxiliary bishop of Onitsha and substantive bishop of the Aguleri Diocese, the Most Rev Denis Isizoh, last Sunday charged Christians to form the habit blessing themselves by doing the sign of the cross regularly.
Isizoh, who gave the advice during a Sunday evening instruction at St Theresa’s Parish, Umunya, explained that Christians have the opportunity of blessing themselves each time they observe the sign of the cross, adding that parents should also bless their children every now and then since such a habit has a lot of spiritual benefits for children and will create a brighter future for them.
The prelate also reminded the faithful of the need to attend Sunday Masses with good intentions and avoid being a churchgoer. According to him, when a faithful attends church without good intentions, such as being ready to worship God with all sincerity, thanking Him for the gift of life, asking for forgiveness of sins and placing our heart desires before Him, then the person is just a mere churchgoer who may end up wasting his or her time by attending church every Sunday.
He stressed the need to take out take time regularly to visit the sick, whether related to you or not, and he described such a mission as an apostolic one that encourages the sick spiritually. He added that paying visits to people who are ill brings succour and spiritual wellness to them.
Bishop Isizoh also explained the importance of praying for priests, family members and relatives each time we attend holy Mass and each time we pray, for God uses prayers said for the next person to save such a person in times of trouble.
The parish priest, the Very Rev. John Anosike, who spoke to Trinitas, commended Bishop Isizoh for visiting and joining them in the Sunday evening instruction, describing that singular act as grassroots evangelism. He also thanked the parishioners for trooping out en masse to receive the bishop.
