By Polycarp Ifeanyi
The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria ( CLCN) of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, New Haven, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State has ended Laity week with awards and installation of patrons and patronesses to some parishioners.
However, the one week program tagged ” Politics and The Common Good In Contemporary Nigeria, Catholic Social Teaching, Stand Point” was held at their Parish premises and attracted virtually the presence of all the parishioners.
In the welcome address which was delivered by Mr. Nwankwo Joseph on behalf of the parish laity council Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Onyiriuka, he revealed that Laity council of the parish was reactivated on May 15, 2022 through the effort of the Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Sampson Ogbuebune.
He also stated that the council inherited huge debts both at the region and Archdiocesan levels from their predecessors which he said was cleared through the support of Parish Priest Fr. Ogbuebune, just as he hinted that the Council equally undertook the building of parish tabernacle worth of ( ₦1.5million) and additional (₦500,000) pledged for the parish school building.
He, however, solicited to the spirited individuals, families, groups and communities to assist the Council in order to remit the remaining amount pledged for the parish school building.
Speaking shortly after the event, the Parish priest, Fr Ogbuebune noted that no magic was applied to reactivate the Laity council of the parish, saying that not even his efforts but normal pastoral work and grace of God which he said has began to work in the Parish.
The cleric disclosed that Laity council at various levels are trying their best, stating that there must be a total synergy among all the statutory bodies in the Church to enable Laity Council to function effectively as one of the organs of the Church.
He urged his parishioners to always propagate duties of Laity Council like gospel of God, pointing out that nobody should ignore Church activities as it could contribute to ones ticket to Haven.
Commenting, the parish Laity Council Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Onyiriuka identified Laity as set of people in the Church who are not ordained. He praised Fr Ogbuebune for his unflinching support to his regime as well as other executives and planning committee members who he said contributed to the success of the event.
Equally speaking, the planning Committee Chairman, Hon. Sir. Ifeanyichukwu E. S. Nnajiaku expounded that Laity week is annual event in the Church which he said comes up before the Easter feast, even as he noted that they supposed to hold the event on March 12, 2023 but due to reasons best known to the parish, it was not held.
He was specifically elated over the theme of the event which according to him would be an eye opener to those who graced the event especially in post election matters in Nigeria, saying that at least one should not see politics as a dirty game rather a necessary evil that needed to be done to deliver the dividend of democracy.
He eulogized the priests in the parish for their mutual collaboration with the parishioners to move laity council forward, stressing that laity council has come to stay in their parish and lauded other planning committee members for their efforts.
Some parishioners who received different honours and awards included; Mr. Donatus Nnam, Hon. Sir. Ifeanyichukwu E.S. Nnajiaku, Mr. Patrick Nwaugwu, Mrs. Nne Nne Nwokeji, Bro. Basil Alikaekwe, Bro. Hycienth Nwankwo, Mrs. Chinwe Ohika, Evangelist Emmanuel Nwode, Mr. Stephen Ezeokafor. Others are Mrs. Azonta Dike, Mrs. Mary Rose Nwaigbo, Mr. Charles Obinna Izuogu, Mr. Augustine Ugbala, Mr. Azubuike Igwebuike, Mr. Ifeanyi Chibuoke amongst other.