Fides Media Living the Faith
By Sunny A. Ijomah
Joy rented the air at St John Bosco Chaplaincy Obosi last Sunday as the Archdiocese of Onitsha Catholic Church Most Rev. Valerian Okeke paid a one day Pastoral Visit to the Centre.
The event witnessed the administering of the Sacrament of Confirmation to over three hundred candidates.
In his Homily, Archbishop Okeke urged the people of God to live a life of forgiveness embedded in good heart and spirituality, emphasizing that those who lived above the flesh by living in the spirit could conquer death at the end of time.
He also advised Christians to always be thankful to God, no matter the circumstances, adding that life of thanksgiving paved way for God’s miracles to flow in their lives.
The Prelate also enjoined the faithful to be honest with their friends and never betray true friendship.
The Chief Shepherd shortly after the Holy Mass, toured JOBITECH Training facilities; Electrical/Electronics Department, Mechanical Craft Practice Department, Solar and Renewable Energy and other sectors of the community.
He commended the Salesian Community of Obosi for their exploits in the area of technical and vocational skills as well as training of the young people.
The congregation intends to build an outstanding Technical Institute for the holistic formation and training of young people.
He described the Archbishop as a dynamic Prelate who is making waves by investing in the training of the youth, stating that they were only trying to complement his developmental strides.
The Rector of the Salesian Community, Rev. Fr. Donatus Ikeanyibe Ndozianyichukwu (SDB), in appreciation, poured encomiums on the Archbishop for his visit, describing his presence as a spiritual uplift and a true sign of love.
He thanked the Archbishop for giving the Salesians of Don Bosco a piece of land at Charles Heerey Technical and Vocational College, Ogidi, where St. John Bosco, he said, was a father, teacher, and friend of the youth; highlighting that wherever the Salesian Community was situated, the youth of the area and beyond gained holistic formation and training; academically, morally and otherwise.
He further disclosed that Jobitech engaged the students in 70% practical work and 30% theories, describing it as the edge they had over Nigeria Universities, which, he said, did the opposite. According to him, their motto is, “Per Aspera ad Astra” (strive to get to the height through hard work). Don Bosco promised the youth three things: work, bread and heaven, which summarized what the youth stood to gain at Don Bosco Centre.
Fr Ikeanyibe informed interested candidates who desired for competent technical training skills that forms were available at the centre. Also, he urged parents who desired to give their wards best secondary school education to enroll them at the centre, disclosing that entry forms were available too.
The Salesians of Don Bosco Community is located at Km7, Onitsha-Owerri Road, P.O. Box 314, Onitsha. Phone +2348068789369; +2348061220623; +2347042081895. www. donbosconigeria.org; email sdbonitsha@yahoo.com.