Fides Media Living the Faith
… Ends 2023 Parish Convention with Honours to 48 Distinguished Individuals
By Michael Nnebife and Gloria Ibesi
Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Parish, Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, will soon become a centre of attraction as the Catholic Women’s Organization, CWO, of the parish has put in motion arrangements to construct an ultramodern podium befitting a 21st Century regional church headquarters in the parish.
This is coming in the instance of the 2023 Parish Convention of the CWO held on Saturday, 26th August, in Nimo.
According to the President of the organization, Mrs Maureen Mbubah, the essence of the project, estimated to the cost 80 million Naira, is to give the parish a befitting look as regional headquarters and worthy edifice for God.
The President therefore solicited the continued support of affluent individuals and that of the husbands of the CWO members to enable the organization to achieve this goal.
Mrs Mbubah, who said that the convention which comes once in three years, was an opportunity for women to come together and rub minds for the best way forward, urged CWO member to reposition themselves against the challenges facing contemporary society as regards immortality and social vices.
Earlier in a homily during a Holy Mass celebrated to bless the epoch-making event, the Parish Priest, St Mary’s Parish, Egbengwu, Nimo, Rev Fr Innocent Muomegha, admonished women to emulate the ideal virtues of the biblical Naomi and Ruth for enduring peace in their households in particular and entire society in general, as worthy ambassadors of Christ.
Stressing the power of women in nation-building as regards peace-making, the cleric charged Nimo CWO to utilize their God-given potential to influence the ruling elite and their children to bring about lasting peace in the community.
In the interview with newsmen, the Dean, Nimo Deanery, Rev Fr Alfred Anazodo, who led at Mass, also expressed belief in the power of women to influence the desired peace in the community earnestly yearned for presently.
He said when the women stood for peace, lived in truth and loved as Naomi and Ruth, lasting peace and unity would exist in Nimo Community.
In his remarks, the Episcopal Vicar, Nimo Region, and Parish Priest, Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Rev Fr Shedrack Anunwa, thanked God for making the convention a huge success and also the priests, the religious, the award recipients, among others, for honouring his parish CWO’s invitation, praying God to reward them.
The convention, which featured march past by the Assumption CWO zonal groups; crowning of the CWO Queen, Mrs Ogechukwu Inyiagu; cutting of convention cake, and presentation of awards to 48 distinguished personalities, climaxed with a fund-raising for the construction of the ultramodern podium.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Sir Chika ThankGod Moore, praised the Assumption CWO for the choice of constructing a podium, which, he said, would enhance service to God in the parish.
He enjoined them to make use of the power in the tongue only to support and build their husbands and their children for peace in society.
The chairman congratulated the individuals that received various awards of honour as Pillar, Mayor, Onwa, Adadioramma, Ochiora, Nneijele, Nneora, Adaife, Ugochinyere, and Ugosimba of CWO, charging them to continue to uphold the sterling virtues that earned them the awards.
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, a visibly excited Sir Arch Dan Okpoko appreciated the parish priest and the CWO of Our Lady of Assumption Parish, for finding them worthy of the awards and expressed their readiness to continue to support the organization and the Church at all times.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Convention Organizing Committee, Mrs Cecilia Isineyi, expressed gratitude to the parish priest and the entire members of Our Lady of Assumption CWO for their support; the guests, and everyone who contributed in one way or the other, for the success of the convention.