…Confirms 952 at Ijede Deanery
The Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins has reminded Catholics to prepare themselves for the second coming of Christ, by reading the Scriptures and acquainting themselves with the Word of God, as well as receiving the Holy Eucharist regularly for their salvation. Archbishop Martins gave the charge while delivering the homily at Mass and confirmation of 952 candidates, during his Pastoral visit to Ijede Deanery, held recently at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Ijede, Lagos.
The Archbishop noted that only about five percent of the lay faithful receive the Holy Eucharist in places he visited as the churches are packed with people, as he reiterated the importance of the body and blood of Christ to Christians. He therefore, charged the faithful of the Deanery to ensure that they partake in the food of the angels, which strengthens them as they journey through the world, and aids them in transforming the face of the earth wherever they go. The Chief Shepherd urged the people to bear witness to Jesus and allow the Eucharist they have received reflect in their relationship with others as they live on the face of the earth.
He tasked the newly confirmed to bear witness to Christ like Prophet Isaiah and the apostles, adding that the gifts of the Holy Spirit is being given to them freely, and they must bear the fruits as evidence that they received the gifts. Archbishop Martins asked them to ensure that they defend their faith and stand up for the Lord wherever they go, as they become soldiers of Christ. “Normaly, soldiers are not children. And that is why you are no more children. You are being recruited into God’s army. As soldiers of Christ, the arms that you will be carrying with you are the Word of God. And the knowledge that you have of the teachings of the Church”, he said.
The Archbishop urged the people not to use their phones for social media activities alone, but as avenues for learning and reading the Word of God and the teachings of the Church, calling their attention to the Lagos Archdiocese website and social media handles, that of the various deaneries, and online presence of Catholic Herald, the Archdiocesan newspaper. Speaking on the occasion, Very Rev. Fr JoeBen Onyia, the Dean and Parish Priest, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Ijede, thanked God for His faithfulness and growth of the Deanery from a total of seven communities of one parish, five quasi-parishes and one chaplaincy at Inception, to 16 parishes/ quasi-parishes, as he also noted the increase of priests, religious and lay faithful.
Appreciating the Archbishop for his care, he asked for continued support, so that the work of evangelisation reaches every corner in the deanery, every child of God there, as he disclosed that there are still many towns and villages that are yet to have Catholic presence in the area.
