IGBO Catholic Community Celebrates Clergy and Religious

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The Igbo Catholic Community in Hayward (ICCH) celebrated the ministry of clergy and religious on Sept. 4

By Ugo Ubili

Sunday, Sept. 4 was a special day for the Igbo Catholic Community in Hayward (ICCH), Diocese of Oakland. The community honored all Catholic clergy and religious serving us in all spiritual matters and working hard for our salvation. The community modeled the day to be like activities and memories of Mother's and Father's Sunday. The Church honors fathers and mothers; therefore the Igbo Catholic Community determined to honor clergy and religious for their committment regarding our spiritual matters. 

Special guest was Father Lawrence D'Anjou, diocesan vicar general. Father Osita Modestus Mgbaramuko was the chief celebrant and more than 20 priests concelebrated with him, along with two deacons on the altar and three religious sisters were present. 

Father Alfred Amos, a member of ICCH, preached the homily. He focused his teaching of the day on the gospel according to Luke 14:25-33 to analyze how Jesus Christ uses "a short and simple story that teaches a religious or moral lesson." He said that God's words are full of wisdom and cannot be read or understood literally. He cited this example: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." Father Amos said that Jesus never commanded anyone to hate his or her family members or friends. He explained what Jesus is teaching to us is that nobody -- be it father, mother, wife, brothers, sisters and children -- should deny you the love of Christ. In essence, we should not place anyone or any situation between us and God. That God should always be number one in our situations, all the time and in all seasons.

On behalf of the community, the president of ICCH, Sir Austin Uwakwe, exceptionally thanked Father D'Anjou for his ministry. The presidents of the men's and women's organizations respectively, Sir Ambrose Nnamede and Dr (Lady) Ugochi Amuzie, jointly presented the clergy with gifts. Lady Onyinyechi Udeh, the director of youths and adults ministry, presented gifts to religious women. 

Following Mass, a celebration in the parish hall included a dance performance by the youth ministry. This was followed by a lively entrance and breaking of a beautiful handcrafted cake by Father Mgbaramuko and Father D'Anjou. A women's characteristic and organic worldwide known dance dominated the entire space with electrifying entrance. 

The organizing group entertained the gathering with a popular Nigerian song call Buga. With the recorded success and its joyful impact on our clergy and religious, this celebration has become an annual event holding on first Sunday of September every year. 

Igbo Catholic Community, Hayward, was inaugurated in 2004 to address the spiritual and social needs of the people of Igbo descent from Nigeria living in the Bay Area. The Igbo Mass is held on every first Sunday of every month at All Saints Catholic Church Parish, Hayward at 230 pm. The Mass features Igbo ethnic liturgical hymns, charismatic songs and music with exotic musical instruments. Membership of this community is open to every Igbo Catholic living in the Bay Area.

For inquiries, please contact us through info@igbocatholicorg.