There was so much joy written all over the faces and in the hearts of the clergy and lay faithful of St. Louis, Catholic Church, Egbeda, Lagos, Saturday, February 4, when their newly completed church building was dedicated by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos. The memorable occasion, which saw parishioners in their numbers dressed in clourful uniform, also had an array of clergy, guests and friends from far and near join in the festivities. While delivering the homily, Archbishop Martins expressed happiness to see, hear and feel the atmosphere of joy among the people, in spite of the problems and difficulties confronting Nigerians and country. He said: “I looked at the faces of the people of God who were waiting at the entrance to receive me, looked at the faces of the priests of St. Louis, Egbeda, I saw joy. As I listened to the chatter that went on, and eventually to the scene, I heard joy. “I was wondering in my head, why is there so much joy, particularly at this point in time when there is so much pain in the land, when people are going through sufferings. Why is there so much joy when the ordinary things that gives joy is in short supply?” The Archbishop noted that aside from the hike in petrol and food prices, insecurity, kidnapping, killings among other problems have become part of the life of the country and people.
He said that the people have the joy of the Lord, which no adversity can take away, adding that the Lord will ensure that their sufferings and pains are not in vain. Archbishop Martins said that apart from the joy of the Lord, the people of St. Louis Egbeda are joyous because by the grace of God, and hard work of priest and people, they have brought to completion and are dedicating the house of God, in which they will worship the Lord. He commended them for the sacrifice, self-denial, hard work and generosity of heart, thanking the Lord for all the graces he gave them to begin, continue and bring the project to completion. He equally thanked all those who God had used all the years in founding the community of God’s people in Egbeda, as he congratulated all the priests who ministered to the people, and made the community a vibrant one, as well as those who motivated the people and started the church building project. He praised all the lay faithful, especially those who occupied leadership position that God has used over the years to see to the building of the community and the execution of the building project.
He lauded all benefactors, Sir Emmanuel Nwakamma in particular, who he said donated the piece of land referred to as Emmanuel land that the church building stands on. Expressing joy on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Simon Iduh, CM, Parish Priest, St. Louis, Catholic Church, thanked God for being with him and the parishioners, and giving them cause to celebrate. He thanked the Church Dedication Committee for allowing God to use them in planning the event and the parishioners for their generosity and openness in giving to see to the completion of the building. The event also witnessed the relic of St. Therese of Lisieux deposited on the altar.
