Fides Media Living the Faith
By Precious Ukeje
In a massive turn out of people, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, marked the Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary alongside other celebrations at the parish centre in Egbengwu, Nimo, Sunday, August 15, 2021.
In addition to that, the event featured other tripartite ceremonies including their annual Block Rosary Feast, 2nd Anniversary of the Dedication of their Church and Love Feast Day.
The Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr Innocent Muomegha in his homily, among other things, reflected on the need to be devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who he described as a humble woman, urging the congregants to emulate her ways while being committed to the welfare of others.
In an address of welcome co-signed by the Parish Priest, Vicar, Rev. Fr Callistus Nworgu, Mr Kevin Nwambu, Seminarian and Chairman of the Planning Committee, as well as Chinwendu Mbelede and Obianuju Onwubiaogu, during the reception, the parish told people in attendance that it was a parish whose Block Rosary centres had continued to flourish in numbers because of the presence of children and the need to make available centres at the doorsteps of everyone.
Fides reports that the parish has ten functional centres of the Block Rosary with active members evidenced in the number of persons who participated in the variety of programmes and competitions among the ten centres.
The parish noted that each of the centres were organized by some devoted young ones, mothers and fathers of the parish, and their aim was to train children to emulate the Blessed Mother Mary, so they would0 grow in the right faith required of them as Catholics.
They appreciated the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Valentine Obiora Anona, for singlehandedly sponsoring the food and drinks for the year’s Feast Day, and beseeched God to replenish him abundantly.
In the same light, they expressed gratitude to Rev. Fr Sebastian Ngene who teamed up with his siblings to donate some money in memory of their parents. The money, N150,000 was meant to be given to the centres that emerged 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in the competitions.
Concluding the address, the parish noted that they were faced with some challenges including being in need of a set of marching bands, uniforms, mobile public address system and five sets of cups, noting that the ones they used for the day were borrowed from a school.
They appreciated Fr Muomegha and the Parish Vicar, Rev. Fr Callistus Nworgu for what they described as their tireless efforts in the parish growth.
Responding, Hon. Anona, who was the Chairman of the occasion, promised to take up the purchase of the marching band as well as uniforms.
The event was laced with many competitions among the different centres of the Block Rosary including quiz, fashion parade, presentation of Igwe and Lolo of each centre; and march pass where Queen of Peace centre emerged first position.
Meanwhile, Mother of Divine Grace Block Rosary Crusade, Nkwoyeoji Egbengwu, emerged overall first position and went home with the cup.