Bishop Onah visits Ascension Parish, Iheakpu-Awka, confirms 1215 brethren

 By Alphonsus N. Ogili

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Reverend Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, on July 30, 2016, embarked on a pastoral visit to Ascension parish, Iheakpu-Awka during which he administered the sacrament of confirmation to no fewer than 1215 brethren.

The day had already begun on a joyful note for the receivers of the Sacrament as well as other members of the parish and the early morning rain did nothing but add the much-needed lustre and grace to the day.

The newly recruited soldiers, mostly clad in white clothes, happily thronged into the parish centre to receive the Sacrament which is meant to enrich the receivers with a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit which enables them to increasingly practice their Catholic Faith in every aspect of their lives and to bear witness to the teachings of the Church in every situation.

Delivering his homily during the celebration of the Holy Mass that marked the commencement of the confirmation, bishop Onah, in his bid to win as many souls  for Christ as possible, prayed God to help the receivers of the Sacrament to bear witness to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, urging them (the new ambassadors) to lead lives worthy of emulation as true Catholic Faithful who have been equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit.

"Let us live our lives like those who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you are sons and daughters of God, you need to behave like Him. Jesus taught us how to be like Him. Be a peacemaker," he said.

While admonishing the brethren to strongly remain committed to the Catholic Faith Father Bishop remarked: "even pagans know that the truth lies in the Catholic Church, but it is our deeds that discourage them. Let us endeavour to live in love and unity with one another."

In the same vein, cautioning the newly anointed ambassadors of Christ on the need to always bear witness to the sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ, bishop Onah noted: "if you are not totally willing to receive this Sacrament, do not come out. Remember that during baptism, you promised you have rejected Satan and all his misleading deeds. If you do not understand that which you are about to receive, do not come out."

Immediately after the confirmation, the parish priest, Reverend Father Donatus Ajibo, just like other members of the Parish was very delighted and during his address was very grateful to God and Father Bishop for making out time to embark on the first pastoral visit to the Parish, and also expressed his utmost gratitude to all who played one role or the other for the success of the occasion.

This came shortly after a heart-warming welcome address was presented by the Parish in honour of Father Bishop.

"It is with hearts full of joy that the entire Catholic Faithful of Ascension Parish, Iheakpu-Awka welcome you in our midst today, our able and dynamic Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Reverend Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, on your first pastoral visit to Ascension parish since your installation as the Catholic bishop of Nsukka diocese.

"We thank the almighty God in a special way for the health of mind and body granted to you, making it possible for you to effectively paddle the ship of this great Diocese in their journey to meet Jesus. Once more, we are grateful to Him for leading you safely to this parish," the address stated.

Speaking with our reporters, one of the newly recruited soldiers, Mrs. Evelyn Ugwu, expressed her utmost gratitude to God for being part of the activity noting, "great miracle happened in my life today. From today hence forth, I am a complete child of God. The most joyful aspect of bishop Onah's teaching to us today is that I have realized that the catholic church is the best in the world. Everything is complete in the catholic church."

The pastoral visit witnessed a stylish reception in the honour of bishop Onah and his entourage during which outstanding performances by some cultural and traditional groups were used to spice up the ceremony which also saw the presentation of various gifts to Father Bishop by members of the Parish, but more significant was the awarding of scholarship to Jacintha Ogbonna by bishop Onah throughout her secondary education for tactically leading in a rosary procession before the beginning of the Holy Mass.

Ascension Catholic Church, Iheakpu-Awka presently has 3 stations and was formerly a station under Saint Mary's Catholic Parish, Ibagwa-Aka before its creation by the Emeritus Bishop of the Diocese, Most Reverend Doctor Francis Ogbonnaya Okobo.

Bishop Onah and the priests in attendance

From left- Fr. Paul Ali (Assistant Parish Priest), Bishop Onah and Fr. Donatus Uchenna Ajibo (Parish Priest)

FOR LEADING IN THE ROSARY, WHEN IT SEEMED NO ONE ELSE WOULD DURING THE CONFIRMATION TODAY AT ASCENSION PARISH IHEAKPU AWKA, THIS LITTLE GIRL, JACINTA OGBONNA, WAS GIVEN A SCHOLARSHIP. ACCORDING TO BISHOP ONAH, THE GIRL WILL BE TRAINED BY THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT HER SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION.