… Get New Member, as Another Renews Perpetual Profession of Vows
By Micheal Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
It was a moment of joy and jubilation for the Society of Holy Child Jesus, a SHCJ congregation of Reverend Sisters, in Awka Catholic Diocese, as they gathered at St Felix Catholic Church, Nise in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, on 10th August 2024, for the final profession and silver jubilee of their two colleagues, Reverend Sisters Victoria Dyikuk and Emelda Okolo, respectively.
The ceremony was indeed a triple celebration for the congregation as an international standard secondary school, Cornelia Connelly College, newly established by the congregation in Nise for holistic 21st century education for all, was commissioned and blessed by the Bishop, Diocese of Awka, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, who also presided over the epoch-making religious event.
Speaking during a homily, Bishop Ezeokafor congratulated Reverend Sisters Okolo and Dyikuk, urging them to perpetually live in accordance with the demands of the sisterhood vocation.
‘Now you’ve got into a religious life, you’ve new commandments added to the commandments of the Church.
‘To be fulfilled in this call, you must obey what’s in the new commandments, which include a life of obedience, poverty, chastity.
‘I plead with you, try always to work with the spirit of your congregation; don’t be a bad egg,’ the Bishop advised Sr Dyikuk.
To the Jubilarian, Sr Okolo, the Bishop said, ‘You’ve lived 25 years; that’s wonderful. But we also expect you to do your best to ensure that the remaining part of your life continues to be a blessing to God and witness to the life you’ve taken up.’
The Prelate thanked God for the sisters, asking him to sustain them with grace that would enable them not only to succeed but also to be instruments of salvation for themselves and individuals around them.
Also, the Leader of the Society, Rev Sr Pauline Darby, congratulated Sisters Okolo and Dyikuk, describing the ceremony as a joyous celebration, source of inspiration and an occasion for a renewal of vows by the entire congregation.
Rev Sr Darby, whose message came from Rome, encouraged Sisters Okolo and Dyikuk to continue to grow in grace, and deepen their relationship with God and Jesus Christ whom they served.
Sister Stella Envulu, on behalf of the Society and their African Province Leader, Rev Sr Helen Ebede, expressed gratitude to all that graced the event, especially Bishop Ezeokafor, for not only officiating the ceremony but also for his fatherly care, support and accepting the Society in Awka Diocese.
Among the highlights of the ceremony, were signing of a certificate of perpetual vows, and group photography, after which all roads led to Cornelia Connelly College, Nise, for its official flag-off.
In an interview with Fides, the School’s Administrator, Rev Sr Clarence Uzorgara, and a member of the Society, Rev Sr Ebele Ebedum, spoke briefly about the school and the benefits it had in stock for potential students, their parents and larger society.
‘Cornelia Connelly College, owned and managed by the Society of Holy Child Jesus, was founded in England in 1846, and has spread across the U.S., UK, Africa; which includes many cities of Nigeria such as Lagos, Calabar, Abuja, Nise in Anambra State, and so on.
‘It’s a co-school for holistic education where academic, social, psychological, moral and spiritual aspects of a child’s education are taken into serious consideration.
‘We’re intentionally passionate about inspiring and promoting in our students, a quest for academic excellence, spiritual advancement, moral and ethical behaviour that brings forth the growth of persons, who are capable of taking up leadership roles in the world around them.
‘Our teachers, Reverend Sisters, who manage the school, are highly qualified and competent.
‘Our Library, Science and Agric Laboratories, Computer room, ICT for E-learning, are topnotch and world-class.
‘Cornelia Connelly College, Nise, is for everybody, the rich and the poor as our school fees are pocket-friendly.
‘Our doors are open; please, come and experience a Holy Child holistic and integral education,’ the Sisters passionately appealed to parents.
