…As KSJI Lagos Commandery holds Thanksgiving Mass
Christians have been charged to shun gender-based discrimination, as they are urged to strike a balance and ensure that both the girl and boy child are nurtured and trained in respective families to become responsible and committed persons who in the future will not only follow guidelines, but build and maintain godly marriages. The charge was given by Rev. Fr. Terseer Ubi, while delivering the homily during the Thanksgiving Mass of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI), Lagos Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary, held recently at Catholic Church of Transfiguration, Lekki, Lagos. Speaking on family life, and rate of divorce in the present time, Fr. Ubi said God gave humans the manual on how to live together as man and woman, but many discard these guidelines which is supposed to make life easier for them.
According to him, from the Gospel reading, Jesus makes us understand that marriage is meant to be forever, and divorce is not part of God’s plan for married couples. He urged parents to nurture their children, expose them to prayers, and make their marriage and family life a bedrock and shining example for the young ones to emulate. Speaking on the occasion, Very Rev. Msgr. Anthony Obanla, Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and representative of Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, commended the Knights and Ladies for the services they render to the Church and care for the less privileged. Msgr. Obanla expressed gratitude to God for a charitable arm like the KSJI that is functional, and meets the needs of many.
Brig. Gen. Paulinus Nwankwo, the Grand President, thanked God for establishing the new leadership in the Order, as he pledged to lead with justice, integrity, and serve the Church and humanity with unwavering devotion. Giving assurance of the Order’s fidelity to the faith, obedience to the Mother Church and commitment to the timeless ideals of charity, unity and Christian discipline, Nwankwo said his team will enhance spirituality, brotherhood, and works of mercy, as he encouraged members to maintain discipline and do things right at all times. For her part, Noble Sr. Okwui Sidney-Moka, Grand Respected President, Lagos Grand Ladies Auxiliary, ably represented by Noble Sr. Dorathy Remi-Eluyefa,1st Grand Vice President, called on members to cooperate with the leadership, to strengthen unity, deepen spirituality, and reposition the Order on a path that reflects its noble heritage and sacred mission over the next four years and beyond.
Presenting the new Executives for blessings, Major Gen. Joachim Chuks Amamgbo, the Supreme Subordinate President, expressed joy, as he disclosed that Very Rev. Fr. Michael Omoghele, KSJI National Chaplain; Lt. Gen. Patrick Igwilo, number three Knight in the world; himself (Amamgbo), number one Knight for brothers in Nigeria and Lady Nonye Okafor, number one Knight, Ladies Auxiliary in Nigeria are all from Lagos Archdiocese. He said: “So, what more can we ask of God that he has not done for us. For 30 years, Lagos has never taken the national presidency, now is our time and we have it double. We give God all the glory for it.”
