… Dedicates Chapel
By Daruwana Daku and Ebube Edieh
The Society of Catholic Apostolate (SAC) under the Heart of Jesus Province, Germany-Austria, through her Nigerian Delegation, September 29, 2024 made a remarkable achievement in Mbaukwu/Umuahulu as they got the much anticipated Youth Centre and Mother House inaugurated, and dedicated her chapel
Attracted by priests, religious, monarchs, politicians and people of different walks of life, the inauguration ceremony and dedication of Our Lady of Queen of Apostles Chapel, was officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor.
In a concelebrated Mass, the Bishop in his homily acknowledged the efforts of the Pallottines and Missionaries all over the world in bringing development and reforms in Nigeria. He said that their desire to assist the growth of the church in Nigeria was very exceptional.
He also appreciated the beauty of the chapel, just as he encouraged the people of God to emulate the aesthetics of the church to be beautiful by adhering to what was expected of them as Christians.
While he reminisced on the hey days of the apostolates in Nigeria, especially with the late Rev. Fr. Peter Jacob Hillen, SAC, Bishop Ezeokafor appreciated the efforts of the Igwe of Mbaukwu Kingdom, HRH, Igwe Peter Anugwu, whose continuous love to the Pallottines, and his welcoming spirit, according the Bishop, made the construction of the facilities in Mbaukwu possible.
In their respective remarks, the Provincial, Heart of Jesus Province, Germany-Austria, Rev. Fr. Markus Hau, SAC, and the Delegate Superior-Nigeria, Rev. Fr Cosmos Onwukwe, SAC, both expressed joy at the successful completion of the Chapel and Youth Centre, noting that more were in the offing to be explored by youths and people of goodwill in the Mother House.
Fr Hau noted that what was started with the First Pallottine Missionary, the late Rev. Fr. Peter Jacob Hillen, SAC, and the Igwe of Mabaukwu Kingdom, had now metamorphosed into a glory to behold. The Provincial, however, added that it was time for the people to be transformed through the Youth Centre just as he appreciated the efforts of the Igwe of Mbaukwu for what he was doing for the Pallottines in Nigeria.
For his part, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State. Dr Gilbert Onyekachi who spoke as a representative of the Governor of the state, Gov. Charles Soludo, appreciated the good works of pallottines and assured them of the state’s support in anyway they could .
Dr Ibezim however, cautioned the people to jettisoned any form of hate to the investors especially on social media noting that unguarded utterance could scare away well meaning investors out of the state.
The Youth centre amongst other things would be a place for personal development and skill acquisition, support for young careers, social interactions, community engagement and spiritual formation.
Part of the dignitaries who graced the event were the Deputy Governor of Anambra Sate, Dr Gilbert Ibezim; the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke; and Igwes of different towns and communities.
Highlights of the event included blessing and inauguration of the Youth Centre which was named after the Igwe of Mbaukwu Kingdom, planting of memorial tree, light entertainment and group photographs.
