December 15,2024 was the 3rd Sunday of Advent in the Catholic liturgical calendar. It was a day of special rejoicing as the faithful arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation was now half over and they are close to Christmas.
By a stroke of chance, this liturgical celebration turned into a surprisingly deeper and memorable socio-spiritual experience in the life of the parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa, Ikorodu Lagos-Nigeria. Just as the liturgical celebration was coming to an end, the Priest-in-Charge, Rev. Fr. Augustine Echefu mounted the pulpit to appreciate the visiting priest - Rev. Fr. Amaechi for anchoring a successful Christmas retreat in the Church.
In doing this, Father Echefu off handedly invited one parishioner each from the four liturgical groups in the Church and celebrated them as the best among their equals throughout the year 2024. This instantly drew down tears of joy from the awardees as well as the congregation.
Recipients of the awards were Miss Joy Nwachukwu - Lector, Master Chukwuka Louis Anurue - Mass Server, Mr. Peter Nworie - Church Warden, and Miss Elizabeth Okoh - Chorister. High Point of the recognition was an exclusive lunch hosted by Rev. Fr. Echefu in appreciation of the contributions of the liturgical groups towards the spiritual growth of Church.
Later in the day, Father Echefu made a surprise appearance at Judoway Memorial Event Centre, Imowo-Nla, venue of the 2024 end-of-year gathering of Ndi Anambra Catholic Community Association, Ijede being hosted by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa.
The event witnessed large turnout of Catholic families who came together to celebrate and rejoice in the Lord who has graciously brought them to the end of the year 2024. Highlights of the celebration were Igbo folklores & quiz competition, cutting of Christmas cake by the children, couples dance, and of course general entertainments.
The quiz competition produced several children who went home with various cash prizes. Top on the list were Master Ifeanyi Nwankwo - N40,000.00, Miss Amarachukwu Okafor - N10,000.00, Miss Izuchukwu Inyiagu - N10,000.00, Miss Ifunanya Chukwuebuka - N10,000.00, and Miss Chimamanda Nwaogueze - N10,000.00.
Chairman of the association, Ambassador JohnPaul Nwaogueze said the group was formed to facilitate spiritual and physical growth of catholicism within Ijede deanery. In doing this, he said it became necessary to mobilise memberships from towns and states unions, and evangelise them through their familiar customs and values.
It will be recalled that in late January 2022, Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa was engulfed in crisis following the banning of Igbo songs in the church by the then priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. James Anelu. The ban was contrary to the Second Vatican Council document which "recognises that religious paractices are all the more significant when they are celebrated in the individual's language".
Upholding this authority of Vatican II, Archbishop Adewale Martins of Lagos archdiocese suspended, recalled and finally transferred Father James Anelu from the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Before his removal however, Father Anelu had created so much conflicts based on mundane fault lines that negatively impacted on the spiritual and physical growth of the young parish.
However, barely two years after the unfortunate event, and through the dynamic pastoral leadership of Rev. Fr. Augustine Echefu, Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa has recovered, and over taken the lost grounds in terms of spiritual and physical growth. Peace and unity as never before has returned. Structural developments has taken place, and the parish is fast becoming a pilgrimà ge centre within the Ijede deanery.
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Recipients of the awards were Miss Joy Nwachukwu - Lector, Master Chukwuka Louis Anurue - Mass Server, Mr. Peter Nworie - Church Warden, and Miss Elizabeth Okoh - Chorister. High Point of the recognition was an exclusive lunch hosted by Rev. Fr. Echefu in appreciation of the contributions of the liturgical groups towards the spiritual growth of Church.
Later in the day, Father Echefu made a surprise appearance at Judoway Memorial Event Centre, Imowo-Nla, venue of the 2024 end-of-year gathering of Ndi Anambra Catholic Community Association, Ijede being hosted by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa.
The event witnessed large turnout of Catholic families who came together to celebrate and rejoice in the Lord who has graciously brought them to the end of the year 2024. Highlights of the celebration were Igbo folklores & quiz competition, cutting of Christmas cake by the children, couples dance, and of course general entertainments.
Chairman of the association, Ambassador JohnPaul Nwaogueze said the group was formed to facilitate spiritual and physical growth of catholicism within Ijede deanery. In doing this, he said it became necessary to mobilise memberships from towns and states unions, and evangelise them through their familiar customs and values.
It will be recalled that in late January 2022, Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa was engulfed in crisis following the banning of Igbo songs in the church by the then priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. James Anelu. The ban was contrary to the Second Vatican Council document which "recognises that religious paractices are all the more significant when they are celebrated in the individual's language".
Upholding this authority of Vatican II, Archbishop Adewale Martins of Lagos archdiocese suspended, recalled and finally transferred Father James Anelu from the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Before his removal however, Father Anelu had created so much conflicts based on mundane fault lines that negatively impacted on the spiritual and physical growth of the young parish.
However, barely two years after the unfortunate event, and through the dynamic pastoral leadership of Rev. Fr. Augustine Echefu, Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa has recovered, and over taken the lost grounds in terms of spiritual and physical growth. Peace and unity as never before has returned. Structural developments has taken place, and the parish is fast becoming a pilgrimà ge centre within the Ijede deanery.
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