…Dedicates Jesus The Saviour Church building
Catholics have been asked to see themselves as living stones which converge to constitute the Church, and community of God’s people just as the physical building is designed with gravel, and other building materials by architects. This was posited by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos while delivering the homily during the dedication of the new Church building of Jesus The Saviour Catholic Church, Bucknor, Lagos.
Archbishop Martins reminded Catholics that every one of them is invaluable, adding that no one must be anonymous, as all are expected to play their part in the growth of the Church and community. The Archbishop asked the people to recognise God in one another and in everyone they relate with, urging them to ensure they look out for their neighbour’s welfare at all times. According to him, “The situation in our country is so bad and therefore, we must care for one another. If nobody else does, we must.” He said the building, as well as the people have been sprinkled with holy water in order to tell us that having been baptised by water and the Holy Spirit, we must always be aware that God lives in us. “We must be aware whenever we gather, wherever we may be, that we are temples of the Holy Spirit.
And because we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we must also always dispose ourselves so that God can be present to us. And when He is present to us and is present in us, others can see and feel the presence of God in us”, he said. He thanked the priests who built the community, especially the Oblates of St. Joseph who began the project, for their devoted services, as he commended the Priest-incharge and parishioners who have worked over the years, dedicatedly in building up the community and the Church.
For his part, Fr. Joseph Nwokeforo, the Priest-in-charge, said the dedication marks a significant milestone in the people’s journey as a community of faith, expressing joy and gratitude to all who worked tirelessly to ensure the completion of the Church building. He said: “The moment leaves an indelible mark in my heart as an individual and the parish history. I am honoured to share it with all of you, as we stand to celebrate this milestone. “We remember and appreciate the generation of faithful men and women who contributed to the growth of the Church before going to be with the Lord, we honour their legacy.”
Further expressing joy on the occasion, Fr. Nwokeforo said the event is not just about the dedication of the Church building, but a symbol of the people’s commitment to their faith and to one another. “May this sacred space be a beacon of hope and love in our community. May it be a place where the weary find rest, the lost find direction and the broken find healing”, he prayed. The high point of the event was the elevation of the former Quasi Parish to a full-fledged Parish while the relics of Saint Josephine Bakhita was deposited in the altar.
