Fides Media Living the Faith
…Awards Parishioners for Contributions in Church
By Adejumoke Aminat Alebiosu
The beautiful edifice of St Michael’s Catholic Church, Abagana in Njikoka LGA, Anambra State, was dedicated to God as a holy place of worship by the Catholic Bishop of Awka , Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, last Sunday, August 14, 2022.
The Holy Mass, which was presided over by Bishop Ezeokafor, was graced by the clergy, religious and people from different walks of life.
The dedication featured anointing and blessing of the altar and pillars of the Church, litany of the saints, lighting of candles, blessing and sprinkling of holy water which attracted the presence of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, in the church.
During his Homily, Bishop Ezeokafor, speaking on the essence of church dedication, described the Church as a physical building where Christians collectively worshipped and communed with God, hence the need to have befitting buildings as places of worship.
Speaking further, he encouraged the people of God to continue to support the Church by contributing to the buildings in the Church like grottos, among others.
Talking to Fides, Rev. Fr Anselm Okechukwu Otie, Parish Priest, St Michael’s Catholic Parish, Abagana, described the dedication as a reality come true.
‘Words cannot express how I feel about this dedication. This is my first time being a parish priest and within 4 to 6 years, the church is being dedicated. I am so glad that God used the people here as support to finish the building of the church,’ he explained.
The church, which was also described as one of the last among others under construction in the community, was said to have been completed in not less than 10 years of its construction.
Mr Emeka B. Okajiegbe, chairman, Church Dedication Committee, expressed gratitude to God, Bishop Ezeokafor, Fr Otie, Parishoners and others, for making the dedication a reality.
Awards of excellence were also presented to members of the parish for their contributions to the Church.
Highlight of the event was empowerment of 8 women in the church by one of the awardees.
