The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) has been charged with the responsibility of helping fellow lay faithful to discover their spiritual gifts, and use same for spiritual renewal and fruitful living of the Christian faith and vocation. The charge was given by Rev. Fr. Osbert Egbe, SMA, Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Apapa, Lagos, at the 30th anniversary celebration of CCRN, Sacred Heart, Parish Apapa. Fr. Egbe said the CCRN is an essential group in every parish community, especially in evangelisation, adding that the members’ prayers ensure that the community in which they exist has constant and unrelenting intercessors.
Stating that the world is currently inundated with serious threats to righteous and virtuous living, the priest urged the people to remember the task ahead as they celebrate, asking them to let the light shine always and double their efforts, relying on the help of their Master, Jesus. Fr. Egbe commended the Coordinators, Service Team leaders, past and present, as he thanked God on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the CCRN in the parish. While delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Charles Nwosu, Assistant Chaplain, CCRN, Apapa Deanery, quoted the names by which God was addressed in the scripture, as he spoke on the mighty works of God.
He said: “Whenever you are discouraged, celebrate God as we celebrate Him today. I keep telling people of the goodness and mightiness of God. God is good. Our creator is good. May the Lord always bless his words in our heart.” Fr. Nwosu asked the people to pray against things that will discourage them from serving God, as he urged them to call upon the Holy Spirit for help and guidance any time they are faced with frustrating situations. For Bro Nicodemus Nwali, CCRN Coordinator, Sacred Heart Community, the group is celebrating the abiding presence and faithfulness of God towards the community for the past 30 years.
He said the community’s spiritual journey and destination is to transform the people, by complete change of their minds through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they will be able to get closer to God. He expressed gratitude to God for the wall of protection built around the coordinators, past and present, who are still waxing strong in the Lord. Bro. Matthew Owoh, Anniversary Committee Chairman, said the event is a moment to show gratitude to God for sustaining the community with the grace of his presence all these years. He thanked Fr. Egbe, the Spiritual Director, for his encouragements and support towards the success of the ceremony. He said the event tagged “Celebrating His, Presence”, implies, giving adoration unto the Lord of host for His abiding presence, even in the most difficult times in the country.
