By Paul Adebusuyi
Members of Christ the King society at St Rita Catholic Church, Obadeyi, on Sunday, November 22, rolled out the drums to celebrate their feast day. Although the annual procession around major streets with the Blessed Sacrament, during which Catholics danced proclaiming Christ as the Universal King, was missing, members, adorned in their ankara uniform, gathered after the Mass in the Church’s hall to feast and listen to Very Rev Fr. Emmanuel Ogunleye, a visiting priest, who concelebrated the Mass with the Priest in-charge of the Parish, Rev. Fr. Philip Uchendu, as he reminded them on what needed to be done to keep their families together. The society, formed about three years ago, was established to promote Christian family virtues among members, who are wedded couples. Describing the human family as “God’s project”, Fr Ogunleye thanked the members “for sustaining the human family.
“ He said, “I’m happy about what you said your society is doing to uphold the virtues of Christian family. Your marriage must be built on Christ. Without marriage, there is no family. If your family must last long, you must pray together at all times and have faith when you pray. The family that last must be family that is loving, adorable, caring, prayerful and live above satanic traditions.” Warning the members against “satanic tendencies”, he advised that couples should avoid anything that could lead them to sin, such as anger. “You can be annoyed but don’t sin; value your family. Every creature created by God has a family. Treasure one another, there could be reasons for disagreement; live out your marriage vows. Don’t make your children orphans; give birth to children you can take care of.” He also warned against maltreating wives, describing the weaker vessel as God’s gifts to their husbands who must be cherished at all times.
Members who spoke at the brief, but fun-filled ceremony included the Vice Chairman of the Church’s Parish Pastoral Council, Lady Winifred Omodara, the Chairman of the Parish Laity Council and the President of the society, Mr. Paul Adebusuyi, Dr. Michael Amosu, a former Chairman of the Laity Council, Mr. Stephen Igiewe, Mr Otuogo and Engr Emmanuel Adegoke. All the speakers stressed the need for parents to build their families on Christ. Dr. Amos stressed the need for peace and sincere love in the families. Mr. Otuogo, who said he had learnt a lot from experienced couples in the society, described family life as a “wonderful institution that should be honoured.”
Mr Igiewe, who was the Laity Chairman when the society was formed, commended the leadership of the society for keeping the “flag flying” saying the society had achieved a lot within its short time of existence. Lady Omodara congratulated the members on witnessing another feast day, urging them to make Jesus Christ the King of their homes. In his welcome address, the President of the society, Mr. Paul Adebusuyi, said members had reasons to thank God especially for sparing the lives of members. He pleaded with them to continue to rely on God for everything because He is the only one that cannot fail them. He pleaded with parents to teach their children the doctrine of the Church in order to catch them young and make them remain in the Church
Feast of Christ The King: 65 Candidates Receive First Holy Communion at St. Cyprian’s, OkoOba, Agege
The celebration of the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, November 22, 2020 took a different dimension at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos when 65 candidates were fully initiated into the Church with the reception of first Holy Communion. With the cancellation of the traditional procession of Corpus Christi in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos owing to the COVID-19 pandemic protocol, the people gathered in all the Masses to thank God for sparing their lives, even as they prayed for Nigeria in distress which climaxed with what they tagged ‘Evening with the Lord’ in place of the normal procession around the community to proclaim Christ to the world.
In his homily, the Dean of Agege Deanery and Parish Priest, St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, Oko-Oba, Agege, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Nnaemeka said the Kingship of Christ can never be compared to that of earthly kings, queens and rulers who dominate their subjects and do not care for them. In his word, ‘they will pass away only to be read in history books.’ Only Christ the Universal King, he noted is merciful and compassionate to the point of dying on the cross to redeem the whole world. His kingship is everlasting one, he said.
Later in the evening of Sunday the people of God came together dressed in white attire reminiscent of the angels to praise and adore the Universal King with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Assistant Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Anyanwu in a brief remark enjoined the people to remain steadfast in serving God. “Open your heart physically, spiritually and let Jesus pass through, He will fight the battle for you.” He admonished.
