By Emma Ihemeje
The Archbishop of Onitsha His Grace, Most Rev Valerian Maduka Okeke last Sunday charged faithful to form the habit of visiting God in a dedicated church at least once in a week.
The prelate made the call while preaching a Homily during solemn dedication of Joseph Catholic church lba Pope, Awada.
According to him, every Christian should form the habit of paying God a visit in dedicated church at least once a week apart from attending Sunday Masses. He made it clear that God dwells in a dedicated church, adding that who ever needs to feel the real presence of God should always visit a dedicated church. “Parents should go with their wards while paying such visit, explaining that blessing and favour one can receive from such visits are inestimable. He extolled the parish priest Fr Collins Okoye and Parishioners for their contributions and commitment towards the building and completion of the church edifice. The dedication planning committee chairman and his lieutenants Bro. Okechukwu Ogbu, the CWO chairlady and her members, Mrs Adaku Rosita lfegbo, the vice chairman parish council Chief Anthony Ezenwata, the CMO leader Mr.Obiora Adimora and the Parish Priest of the church were all commended by the Archbishop for their respective roles towards the completion of the church building.
Also, the members of the parish knights of St John lnternational, including a retired respected teacher and the celebrated manager of kedi medical Products in Anambra state, lady Florence Egbeada graced the event. Speaking to newsmen at occasion the vice chairman of the Parish council, Chief Anthony Ezenwata thanked God for his grace towards the building and completion of the church, noting that good works have rewards from God. He asks for God’s blessings and increase of faith to the Parishioners, just as he prayed God to redirect our youth to the path of moral rectitude.
The CWO chairlady, Mrs Rosita Adaku lfegbo in her speech expressed optimism that the church dedication to God will bring more good to the Parish just as she commended the priest incharge of the church Rev. Fr. Chigozie Okoye for a job well done at the parish. She most importantly advised parents and guardians to resocialize their children and our youth to the ways of God in view of the moral decadence pervading our society these days involving our youth.
Earlier in his speech about the days event, the dedication committee chairman, Bro Okechukwu Ogbu gave God all the glory for what transpired about the building, and dedication of the church to God almighty.He specifically commended their Parish Priest for his commitment towards the completion and dedication of the church to God.