…Felicitates family of Late Chief Louis Afuecheta
By Amarachukwu Opkunobi
The parishioners of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Obeagu Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on 8th September, played host to His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, in their parish. The event which started with a concelebrated Holy Eucharist, was graced by priests, religious and a good number Agulu People.
The day which also doubled as the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was also a day of Thanksgiving for the parishioners, as they thanked God for the gift of the Cardinal to the Church and the massive growth they had experienced in the parish, both in numbers and in structure.
In his homily, the Cardinal extolled those who had been instrumental to the building of the chapel, especially the Family of Sir Gabriel and Lady Rita and also the Family of Chief Sir Paulinus and Lady Chinyere Winifred Aniagboso, who had single handedly taken over the construction of the father’s house in the parish. He also lauded all others who had contributed both intellectually and otherwise to the growth of the church.
Cardinal Arinze further reflected on the readings of the day, highlighting the importance of surrendering oneself and one’s sufferings to God, especially in the face of what he described as the epileptic economic meltdown being experienced in the country. He reminded the lay faithful of the miraculous words of Christ, who, he said, had the authority to heal and remove all sufferings on earth but chose not to heal everyone while he lived as man among men.
He therefore called on the congregation to desist from taking their problems to man-made gods, bearing in mind that God did not forget his own and knew his people by name even in the midst of suffering and hardship.
His Eminence thereafter, told the congregation, of the need to visit the hospitals and clinics, especially for their healthcare. According to him, those institutions were ways by which the Church helped mankind and spread the gospel of Christ.
Cardinal Arinze exhorted the lay faithful to always make use of such institutions, especially, when they were sick, rather than searching for healing in the house of man-made gods.
Finally, he felicitated and condoled the family of the late Chief Louis Afuecheta, especially with Bro Gabinus Afuecheta, who is a brother of St Stephen’s and one of the children of the late Chief Louis Afuecheta.
While praying for the family, he thanked them for their doggedness in the things of God and the Church in general, noting that his coming down to Agulu was primarily for and through the family.
Speaking on behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council, the Vice Chairman, Mr Bartholomew Okafor, thanked God for His blessings over the Cardinal, praying God to continue to bless him with good health to continue with the work of God.
Similarly, he thanked their Parish Priest, Rev.Fr. Jude, for what he described as his strength and readiness in propagating and shepherding the affairs of the Parish and the lay faithful.
Giving his vote of thanks, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, of Awka Diocese, who was ably represented by the Dean Agulu Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Anaekee, thanked the Cardinal for his presence and for charging them specially to live even more like Christ. He also lauded the Parish Council who had prepared tirelessly for the coming of the Cardinal and for making it a huge success.
Finally he appreciated the parishioners who had geared their efforts to see that the event was smooth and successful.
Other highlights of the event were the blessing of the crucifix and gift presentation to the Cardinal.
