Be Not Intimidated by Challenges of Life, Archbishop Val Okeke Urges Faithful at Laity Week Flag-off

By Sunny A Ijomah

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke has urged the faithful not to be intimidated by the vissitudes of life but rather face them with courage and prayers inorder to surmount them.

The Archbishop spoke through Rev. Fr. Mike Okagbue while delivering a sermon at a mass to mark the Flag-off of the Archdiocesan Laity Week at the Holy Spirit Parish Omagba last Sunday.

According to the Archbishop, the Church is calling on all to the prophetic witnessing as a challenge and urged them to preach the word in and out of season.

“You should develop the capacity to be resilient and steadfast in your faith in-spite of challenges for you to conquer your difficulties”, the Archbishop said.

While unveiling the Laity Week Manual, the chaplain of the Onitsha Archdiocesan Laity Council, Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniofor commended the Laity representatives and other members for turning out en mass for the flag off ceremonies.

He pointed out that the theme of the Flag-off was properly chosen as it reflected on the prevailing difficult situation in the Country.

Fr. Aniofor thanked the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke for his commitment towards the material and spiritual well being of the lay faithful and the support he’s been giving to the Archdiocesan Laity Council.

At the reception, the Chairman of the day, Hon. Sir. Evaristus Uba spoke on the need for parents to bring up their children with the fear of God.

According to him, the decay in the society emanated from various families which has led the youths to all kinds of criminalities.

Also speaking, the Onitsha Archdiocesan Chairman of Laity Council Engr. Leo Obiefuna urged the various Parish Laity Council branches to wake up from slumber and ensure that children are properly thought catechism so that they begin to imbibe good morals from childhood.

Earlier, the Priest in charge of Holy Spirit Parish Omagba had welcomed the Laity members and thanked them for chosing his Parish for the flag-off.

Highlight on the event was the unveiling of the Laity week manual by the chaplain Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniofor and launching of the manual by various zones.