…lays foundation of new Church at Ritaland
Parishioners of St. Rita, Obadeyi, Agege, were filled with joy when the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins on Saturday, August 27th 2022 visited the Church to grace the 20th priestly anniversary of their Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Afrifa and also perform the ground breaking ceremony of the new church. The Archbishop, who was welcomed by a large crowd, including the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Afrifa, the Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Lady Winifred Omodara, the Chairman of the Parish Laity Council, Mr. Paul Adebusuyi and leaders of statutory organisations at the gate of the church, was full of smiles as the parishioners sang and danced to the music by the Boys Brigade to usher in the Chief Shepherd of the Lagos Archdiocese into the Church. At the mass, celebrated by Fr. Afrifa and attended by four other priests and a seminarian, the Archbishop expressed gratitude that Fr. Afrifa was building on what others before him have done. Recalling the two occasions he had visited the Church, the Prelate congratulated Fr. Afrifa on his 20th priestly ordination, emphasising that twenty years working in the God’s vineyard is not a joke.
He added, “In these 20 years you have had all kinds of experiences; palatable or otherwise. But in all God has been kind to you. ” Fr. Afrifa, thank you for the work you did at St Lawrence, Isheri Olofin with regard to the physical and spiritual growth of St Lawrence Catholic Church. We thank God for putting you at His service. While commending the parishioners at St Lawrence, who graced the occasion in large numbers, decked in the Ankara uniform for the occasion, for supporting Fr. Afrifa during his 10 years as their parish priest, equally admonished the parishioners of St. Rita Catholic Church to cooperate with Fr. Afrifa, to enable him develop the Church physically and spiritually. Delivering his sermon, with four other priests, including the Dean of Agege Deanery and Parish Priest of St Kizito Catholic Church, Iju, Very Rev. Fr. Sebastine Ngene, and a seminarian, the Parish Priest of St Raphael Catholic Church, Ajegunle-Ilo, Rev Fr. Anthony Owusu Boateng, described Fr. Afrifa as dedicated, courageous and selfless, adding that “sometimes he cries more than the bereaved because he wants to see your comfort first.” He added, ” Anywhere he goes, his deeds follow him. His courage and dedication made him to build three Churches when he was at St Lawrence.” While charging the parishioners to support their priest, the homilist said “by sending him here, the bishop wants him to do what he did at St Lawrence and surpass it here.” While addressing the congregation, Fr. Afrifa described himself as “blessed by God.” He said the anniversary mass was meant “to thank God for what He has done through me to the people of God for the past 20 years.” Fr. Afrifa who was ordained in Ghana, had worked at St. Charles Olodi Apapa and St Lawrence, Isheri Olofin before his posting to St Rita last year.
