The Catholic faithful have been urged to reaffirm their love for Christ.
This was asserted during the feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary according to the Catholic calendar which is usually celebrated to imitate the love and virtues of the heart of Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus by sharing in her faithfulness to Jesus despite all odds.
It’s a period of sober reflection on the love and sacrifice of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the birth Jesus Christ. It also reminded Catholic faithful to reaffirm their love for Jesus as depicted through the life of Mary who despite her experience of joy and sorrow remained faithful to God.
The Catholic parish at Orji which derived its name from the Immaculate Heart of Mary used the ceremony to commemorate the inception of the parish at Orji in Owerri North LGA in 1985 from the Holy cross parish Uratta.
The parish marked the Anniversary of the church with lots of activities.
It recognized the founding parish priest and the founding members as well as those who held various positions in the parish.
Speaking at the epoch ceremony, the pioneer parish priest, Rev. Monsignor Kelvin Akagha in his admonition told the congregation that God prospers those who contribute to the prosperity of the church.
He disclosed that the pioneer worshipers at the parish were committed, enthusiastic and showed maximum cooperation when the parish was founded.
He expressed joy over the progress the parish has made over the years in birthing other independent jurisdiction of Blessed Tansi, St. Mark’s and St. Vincent. He urged the worshipers not to relent in their efforts in serving God and humanity.
The parish priest, Rev Fr Cosmas Edochie stated that the church is growing in leaps and bound by the right foundation that was laid and still growing to the glory of God.
He thanked those who founded the church from Holy parish Uratta and prayed God to continue their efforts while asking God to grant them success in life for their services to the house of God.
Some of the parishioners who spoke to News Echo expressed delight over the growth of the parish and thanked God for granting them the privilege to witness the annual celebration.
The parish pastoral council chairman, Dr. Fidelix Nwosu urged the faithful to use the celebration of the Immaculate heart of Mary to continue to be steadfast even in the place of insecurity challenges and charged them to endeavor to emulate the life of Mary the mother of Jesus.
Barr. Sir Vincent Annebunwa KSJ disclosed that there was relative peace and unity in the parish as there’s no discrimination of being an indigene or not and urged them to maintain the status quo of the founding fathers of the parish.
The financial secretary, St Joachim CMO, Comrade Okonkwo Callistus thanked God for the success of the ceremony and advised the worshipers to continue to do the work of God as they will be rewarded in due course.
In his remarks, the former General Secretary of the church, Ugwumba Cosmas Ohaeri advised the members to continue to serve God and the church diligently and prayed for the formation of new out stations.
Chief Sir Theophilus Duru, Ezeji Desmond Mmadu in their separate speeches prayed for the continuous co-operation and collective responsibility of the members to ensure that the church moves forward.
Ezeji noted that the recognition of the founding members and functionaries is commendable and expressed hope that the gesture will inspire the beneficiaries to render more services to God and the church.
The chairman planning committee of the program, Sir John Bosco Uhie thanked God for the success of the event while expressing thanks to the pioneer parish priest and the current parish priest for their contribution towards the growth and development of the church and prayed God to sustain their efforts.
