…As EHJ Sisters celebrate jubilee of vows
Catholics have been enjoined to make heaven their focus in all that they do, in all that they say, in their actions, decisions, as well as relationships and friendships that they keep. This was the position of Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos while delivering his homily during the jubilee celebration of vows of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (EHJ) at Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos. Archbishop Martins urged the celebrants and other religious to hold onto the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience which are evangelical counsels that they consciously took upon themselves. Thanking God for the grace of fidelity to the counsels over the years he commended them for cooperating with God in order to witness to the values of the evangelical counsel. He said: “Dear sisters, you have been witnessing evangelical counsels of the world that is very cynical; the world that wants to do everything it can to water down the values of poverty, chastity and obedience. “We urge you not to relax on your vigilance concerning fidelity to the evangelical counsels so that the humans may continually see that there is an alternative way to the greed and the selfishness that we find in our world.”
The Archbishop advised the sisters to continue to bear witness to the fact that there is much more to life than seeking and striving after worldly pleasures and indulgences. He urged them to be strong in faith as they continue in their life as Sisters of the Eucharistic heart of Jesus The Archbishop commended them for their perseverance, long suffering and ability to cope with the challenges along their path in their years of service as religious sisters. Delivering the vote of thanks, Rev. Sr. Cecilia Nduaguba, Regional Superior, EHJ Sisters thanked God for making the day possible as she thanked Archbishop Martins, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, Emeritus Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, clergy, religious and lay faithful present on the occasion. Speaking exclusively with Catholic Herald newspaper, Rev. Sr. Josephine Odorwike, Director of Social Communications, EHJ Sisters and silver jubilee celebrant, sharing her story said her journey in the sisterhood has been an amazing period of thanks to God for the gift of life and vocation.
She thanked her family who set the basis for her, as well as her friends and formators whom she said have been wonderful. “God has always sent people my way to be of good support in this vocation and am ever grateful for His goodness. I appreciate my institute, my Superior General, Rev. Sr. (Dr.) Mary Fausta Manafa, my big sister Sr. Kate from my family and my home town”, she said. She prayed for the repose soul of her dad, adding that he is in heaven praying for her. Expressing her feelings, she said, “I’m joyful. I’m happy and thankful. It’s not been easy, but God has been sustaining me. There has been ups and downs like any other walk of life. We know what it’s like in Nigeria, especially the stress, but God has been there for me. 10 EHJ Sisters celebrated their jubilee of vows, comprising one diamond, four golden and five silver.
