…As league of Sacred Heart of Jesus marks Centinary
Catholics have been urged to live lives of sacrifice and assist fellow humans who are in dire need of help with the wealth which God bestowed on them. This was the position of Rev. Fr. Chukwuebuka Aforma, Associate Priest at Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town while delivering a talk at a symposium organized by League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Catholic Church of the Nativity, Festac Town. Fr. Aforma posited that God will not judge people by their weaknesses, but by their strengths, as he added that God expects those that are financially blessed to use that which He has given them to uplift others. He said: “God does not make people rich for themselves but for those who are poor, so that that they (the poor) can benefit from the rich.” He urged women especially to be modest and desist from spending frivolously on clothes and fashion accessories as a form of show-off. He urged members to emulate the lives of the missionaries who planted the seed of the society. He added that the society has achieved all it had in the last 100 years because of the sacrifices made by the founders. Urging members to be active in the activities of the society, he noted that the league was founded to propagate the kingdom of God, the love for the Heart of Jesus and the love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Also speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ignatius Anaele, Chairman Archdiocesan Planning Committee for the Centenary celebration said the association which is 100 years in Nigeria started in Lagos where the centenary celebration is taking place. Speaking on the activities marking the event, he disclosed, “The celebration started with Eucharistic Adoration that took place at Holy Cross Cathedral, thereafter, we held a quiz competition for the entire Archdiocese at Christ the king Catholic Church, Ilasamaja. Today, we have successfully held our symposium which is targeted on the history and origin, challenges and the way forward for our society in the Lagos Archdiocese. We want to see where our association will be in the next 100 years. That’s what we have come to re-strategise. Speaking on the history of the League of Sacred heart, he disclosed that the society was brought in by the early missionaries into the Church in Nigeria 100 years ago. He urged those who are not members to join as they are missing a lot outside the society. He added that of the twelve promises of the Sacred Heart, the one that touches him most is the promise of enabling grace at the point of death.
Mr. Anthony Nwaneri, Archdiocesan Vice President, Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Apostleship of Prayer, League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus said the association prays for the intentions of the Church, its Clerics and lay faithful, as well as Nigeria, especially as the country is being burdened by corruption and security problems. On the benefits, he said: “There’s a lot of benefits both spiritually and physical because the more you pray for people, the more you receive your own gift or healing. Most of us have testimony to give when we devote our time in propagating this devotion. Speaking on unity, he disclosed that the society is united despite members having their individual differences. He advised leaders to lead by example and be transparent in all dealings, especially in the area of finance. He urged members to check their attitude and show love to their fellow humans. For his part, Mr. Donatus Ihuoma, President League of Sacred Heart, Catholic Church of the Nativity, Festac Town, said unity is paramount and key to progress of any people or group. He urged the members as apostles to possess the sterling qualities that stands them out from the crowd.
