There was great joy and merriment among members of Serra International, District 130-C Nigeria, Saturday, May 14 during the eighth annual district convention and installation of Serran Tessy Etok as the District Governor. The convention which has as its theme, “Preserving vocations” took off with Mass where the homilist, Rev. Fr. Peter Iloji expressed happiness that the Serrans made themselves available to serve God by training priests and religious. He commended the group for their dedication in making sure that the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, despite the situation of things in the country. He said: “It is a thing of joy.
It is something that God has ordained and we are glad that we are all gathered to celebrate this wonderful mission of Jesus Christ being carried out by Serrans. “It is by your actions and this special work of yours that priests are trained who go out to minister to different parts of the world. We are very glad that you make yourself available for this single honour to serve God.”
Also speaking during Mass, Msgr. Patrick Obayomi, Chaplain, Serra Club of Lagos, prayed that God who has given the Serrans the opportunity to serve him will allow them to keep on with their good works. Stating that there are a lot of beautiful things that Serra Club is known for, Msgr. Obayomi prayed and hoped that they (Serrans) do not allow any of these to slip through their fingers. “It’s not a lecture day, rather, it is a day to rejoice with you all”, he said. In his goodwill message, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins noted that the Serrans have applied themselves diligently with devotion to the service of the Lord in fostering and promoting vocations. He said that the convention is an opportunity for members to renew their response to the mission of evangelization, which they are called by virtue of their baptism. He challenged the group to seek ways and means of helping young men and women in the priesthood and religious life to persevere in their vocations as they (Serrans) encourage and support clergy and religious in their sacred ministry.
“Through constant prayers and other forms of support, we can be said to be actively involved in promoting the Church’s mission of evengelisation”, he said. While speaking on “Challenges of discernment of priestly vocation”, Rev. Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, Guest Speaker on the occasion disclosed that materialism is one of the challenges that can influence the discernment of vocation. He listed materialism, sexual abuse, Protestantism, secularism, consumerism among others as challenges currently facing the priesthood. Quoting the Holy Father, he said taking care of young people is not an optional task for the Church, but an integral part of the people’s vocation and mission in history. He said: “Just as our Lord Jesus Christ walked along with his disciples on the journey to Emmaus, the Church is urged to accompany young people every day, without exception towards the joy of love (Luke 24:13-35). With the presence of young people in the world, the Church and the face of the Church can be rejuvenated.” In her acceptance speech, Serran Tessy Etok said it is with great honour that she has been given the privilege to serve Serra International. Speaking on what the Order is all about, the DG said Serra International is the only lay organization aggregated to a primary pontifical work.
She said: “A pontifical work is an organization instituted by the Vatican to advance a particular role of the Church. We are privileged to be blessed. We have so many societies in the Church and God has picked us to serve him in this noble Order. She assured that she and her team will ensure spiritual advancement of members, as well as introduce concepts to increase membership of the Order. Serran Etok was former Charter President of Serra Club of Festac Town, District Governor Elect, District officer Vocation, District Officer Membership, District Treasurer attended several International conventions where on behalf of District 130- C presented two clubs in-formation to Serra International with the recommendation of Serra International Trustee Africa/ Nigeria, Serran Mark Anthony, as Serra Club of Ago and Serra Club of Bomadi were charter by Serra International President.