By Nna Anulumadu
The Catholic community of St Mary’s church Oraukwu was in a jubilation mood today , Sunday September 15th, 2024 as their magnificent church edifice was dedicated to the Almighty God.
The solemn dedication rites which was performed by the Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke, attracted large number of faithful in including the traditional ruler of Oraukwu kingdom His Royal Majesty Barr. Dr. Emeka Onuora and his cabinet members.
In his Homily, Archbishop Okeke described dedication as the total hand over of church building to the Almighty God, emphasizing that once church dedication takes place, an intrinsic change has occurred, meaning that church building has become God’s house as no other activities will take place there except celebration of Holy Masses and church programmes.
Reflecting on the message of St Paul where he opined that the ‘temple of God is Holy and we the faithful are the living temple’, the prelate urged faithful to embrace ongoing purification and renewal in order to keep the temple which is our selves holy. He made it clear that every one that participated in the dedication Mass has undergone rededication process that comes with God’s liberation and blessings.
The local ordinary further charged the parishioners to commemorate the feast of their church dedication every September 15th, describing it as a solemnity.
Shortly after the dedication Mass, the Catholic community in a welcome address rained accolades on the Archbishop for dedicating their church and for his fatherly support to the parish, describing him as a living saint who is sacrificing a lot for the welfare of the faithful under his care.
Responding, Archbishop Okeke commended the parish priest Fr Uchegbusi for his doggedness towards the completion of the church building project/ dedication. He thanked the parishioners for their great support and cooperation, urging them not to relent in their good works.
The parish priest Rev Fr Jude Uchegbusi who is also the spiritual director Olu ndi enigwe adoration ministry in his remarks expressed unalloyed gratitude to the Archbishop for taking time to visit and dedicate their church, describing him as a good shepherd by every definition.
He also thanked all the parishioners including the Lagos branch that donated generously toward the completion of the church building project, asking God to bless them abundantly .
The traditional ruler of Oraukwu HRM Barr Dr. Emeka Onuora ( Igwe Chinyere Eze n’ Oraukwu) who spoke to Trinitas Newspaper expressed joy over the dedication, urging fellow christians in Oraukwu to remain dedicated to service to God and humanity so that the church in Oraukwu will continue to witness progress.
