Fides Media Living the Faith
..Holds Investiture of Patrons, Patronesses
By Chioma Ndife
Plans to commence Ambulance services has been concluded by Catholic Men Organization, CMO, Awka II Deanery, during its 2021 convention organized to assist CMO become more visible in the affairs of the Church.
The convention, which was held on the 28th of August at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Awka, featured investiture of patrons, patronesses, presentation of awards to outstanding contributors to the deanery and fund raising for CMO projects.
Speaking to Fides, the Deanery of CMO Awka II, Comdr. Nathaniel Anierobi, explained that the convention which he described as educative was organized to enable members gain insight into some new areas of life especially as it entails health implications of certain habits and raise funds for deanery projects.
He maintained that the Deanery hopes to float an ambulance service, water production project among others, saying that the returns that would flow from the investments would help the CMO contribute more effectively in the work of the church without having to levy members.
Comdr. Anierobi said that the deanery CMO had started monthly adoration mass every second Saturday of the month in order to evangelize the members on the need to be prayerful as pillars of their respective homes and make them take active part in the church. He stated that the monthly adoration had impacted positively on the turnout of members.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Sir Sunday Nweke, emphasized that the need for the convention was to look out for new modalities on how to engage youths who had been wedded in the church to become active members of the organization. He maintained that youths can only become active members of the organization if the older members can draw them closer by showing good example and coming up with youth-friendly activities to spur them into joining the organization.
He commended the intention and initiative behind the convention and praised the organizers for coming up with the idea, saying that such was a welcome development.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Awka Diocesan CMO, Comdr. Joseph Onuegbu, said that the diocesan body instituted the convention at deanery level to bring about participation of the men in the church. He regretted that the CMO were mostly overshadowed by the CWO. The president, announced the intention of the group to bring younger fathers into the organization.
Reacting to the honour, one of the newly invested patrons, Mr. Lawrence Adigwe, thanked the organization for deeming him fit for the honour and promised to continually support the CMO affairs for steady growth. He called on the newly wedded men to join the association, saying that sacrament of matrimony makes one an automatic member.
For her part, Caroline Ijeomah expressed happiness over the award and encouraged members to become more active in the affairs of the church.
Earlier during the Holy Mass to mark the event, the Chaplain, Awka II CMO, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Nwaka, underscored the importance of the convention, noting that nothing was impossible as the success of the event depended on the fathers. He noted that there was need for the CMO members to draw fallen members back to the faith.
He said that the convention was a way of awakening the consciousness of the fathers to what they ought to be in the church and expressed optimism that the fathers would draw some lessons from the coming together.