*Joy As Church Mission In Locality Elevated Full Parish
By Sam Musa, in Kuchikau
Congregants of St. Matthew Catholic Mission, Kuchikau, Nasarawa State, erupted in jubilation as Bishop of Lafia Diocese, which oversees the mission, Bishop (Dr.) David Ajang, elevated the mission to the status of a full parish.
It was a moment of immense joy, thrills and great fulfillment for the faithful and the priest in-charge of the mission, Rev. Fr. Paul Peter Onah, and his associate, Rev. Fr. Jude Eze.
Bishop Ajang announced the elevation last weekend during his second visit to the mission. The visit lasted three days, kicking off on Friday.
He also commissioned a church building and undertook several activities to promote and project the work of God Almighty in the locality.
Rev. Fr. Onah, Rev. Fr. Eze, and a full congregation were on hand to receive the Bishop as he stepped into the church premises on Friday amid an atmosphere colourfully spiced up with cultural dances by church members.
The church premises was filled to the brim with resplendently dressed members as well as many invitees and others from the community,which came to life on account of the spectacle in the mission.
At a benediction later, Bishop Ajang prayed for the congregation, invoking God’s grace and guidance on them and the work ahead.
Delivering his homily, he dwell on the immeasurable fruits of loving Jesus Christ as well as humanity.
Bishop Ajang urged the Catholic faithful to graciously exercise love to neighbors as Christ enjoined everyone to do always.
After this, the Bishop proceeded to dedicate and bless the church rectory, described by many in the congregation as a significant step in strengthening the parish leadership.
The rectory, which was newly built, is the residence of the priest.
On the second day, Bishop Ajang instituted and commissioned 81 lectors.
A lector’s primary duty is to proclaim the Word of God by reading the assigned scripture readings during Mass, excluding the Gospel.
In his homily, Bishop Ajang urged the faithful to emulate the life of Naomi in the Scripture and her husband Boaz, narrating how she was living with her daughter in-law, Ruth, who after her husband’s death, still lived with Naomi, her mother in-law in peace, before she remarried and gave birth to Obed, her only son.
Drawing from the narration, Bishop Ajang charged daughters in-law to learn lessons from the close relationship between Naomi and Ruth in order to build character to be better accountable people in society.
The climax of the visit was the Bishop’s blessing of the congregation with powerful acts of consecration.
He also performed the ritual of blessing the altar and the church as a place of prayer, refuge,healing and love for all humanity.
To the joy of the congregation, Bishop Ajang then pronounced the mission a full parish and elevated the priest in charge to Parish Priest.
Aside these, during the visit, the Bishop also said special prayers for the land; blessed and commissioned the parish’s new building complex; oversaw the wedding of four couples by proclaiming the sacrament of matrimony on them; visited and interacted with the faithful of St. Mary’s, St Mathias, St Monica and Martyrs of Uganda Outstations of the Diocese; and conferred the sacrament of confirmation on catechumens –who are young Christians receiving instructions in preparation for baptism or confirmation.
PHOTO CAPTION: Bishop Ajang (top left) about to receive the keys to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Kuchikau, from the Parish president, Engr. Sunday Adamu (with mic) while newly-promoted Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Peter Onah (right) watches.
