CISA NEWS REPORT:
ONITSHA, October 5, 2012 (CISA) -Jubilee is a period of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God, a time to take stock, a time to look back on the past, a time of renewal and a time to recall the initial zeal, purpose, vision and mission and begin again, forgetting all the mistakes associated with youthful exuberance and forging ahead with courage.
Speaking in a sermon on Sunday September 30 to thousands of the faithful at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Onitsha, Nigeria to mark the foundation of the sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Archbishop Valerian Okeke recalled that the Jubilee was designated by God himself as a year of favour when injuries and hurts are forgiven, freedom granted to captives and slaves and special prayers are offered for and by the people.
Archbishop Okeke said that for an Institution, Diamond jubilee is only a foundation, an opportunity for the Institution to lay a solid foundation which would sustain it for the many years ahead.
Archbishop Okeke asked the Immaculate Heart Sisters to rediscover the initial vision and mission of their Father Founder, Archbishop Charles Heerey who is also his predecessor; and to rediscover the zeal and sacrifices of the Foundation members, who embraced the religious life when it was a taboo to do so in most parts of Nigeria.
“Keeping such memories alive would assist the Congregation to justify the sacrifices of the past and achieve the dream and aspirations of Archbishop Heerey,” he added.
Addressing the crowd, the Superior General, Rev. Mother Claude Oguh remarked that the age 75 is a mature age, a time of stocktaking and a time to “take a deep breath and forge ahead”.
She thanked all who had come to participate in the celebrations and also those who had come to witness how the sisters are determined to continue their journey of faith in God, “As we bear prophetic witness in a world that is in dire need of authentic and courageous prophets.”
For the IHM Sisters, it has been along week marked with various activities which include symposium, sports, a day with the elderly, a day with the youth, mission exhibition, a day with their fathers and mothers in faith, planting of diamond trees etc.
The congregation was founded in 1937 by an Irish Archbishop who served the people of Nigeria till his death in 1967. So far, there are over 900 sisters working in 11 countries.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
Speaking in a sermon on Sunday September 30 to thousands of the faithful at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Onitsha, Nigeria to mark the foundation of the sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Archbishop Valerian Okeke recalled that the Jubilee was designated by God himself as a year of favour when injuries and hurts are forgiven, freedom granted to captives and slaves and special prayers are offered for and by the people.
Archbishop Okeke said that for an Institution, Diamond jubilee is only a foundation, an opportunity for the Institution to lay a solid foundation which would sustain it for the many years ahead.
Archbishop Okeke asked the Immaculate Heart Sisters to rediscover the initial vision and mission of their Father Founder, Archbishop Charles Heerey who is also his predecessor; and to rediscover the zeal and sacrifices of the Foundation members, who embraced the religious life when it was a taboo to do so in most parts of Nigeria.
“Keeping such memories alive would assist the Congregation to justify the sacrifices of the past and achieve the dream and aspirations of Archbishop Heerey,” he added.
Addressing the crowd, the Superior General, Rev. Mother Claude Oguh remarked that the age 75 is a mature age, a time of stocktaking and a time to “take a deep breath and forge ahead”.
She thanked all who had come to participate in the celebrations and also those who had come to witness how the sisters are determined to continue their journey of faith in God, “As we bear prophetic witness in a world that is in dire need of authentic and courageous prophets.”
For the IHM Sisters, it has been along week marked with various activities which include symposium, sports, a day with the elderly, a day with the youth, mission exhibition, a day with their fathers and mothers in faith, planting of diamond trees etc.
The congregation was founded in 1937 by an Irish Archbishop who served the people of Nigeria till his death in 1967. So far, there are over 900 sisters working in 11 countries.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
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