… Featuring Carol of Nine Lessson, YCS Day With Bishop Ezeokafor
By Daruwanan Daaku and Emmanuel Chigozie
It was a glowing moment at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka on Saturday, November 23, 2024, as the Young Catholic Students of Nigeria, YCSN, Awka diocese, in conjunction with Angelic Voices Foundation, AVF presented a Carol of Nine Lessons to mark her annual day celebration with the Bishop and the Bishop’s Carol.
The ceremony which had the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Most. Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, as the chief host, began with a Holy Mass. Speaking during the homily, the outspoken Prelate, encouraged the students to be obedient to their parents and teachers even as he charged them to learn how to do some things by themselves without the aid of their parents and teachers. “Your parents and teachers will not always do everything for you; theirs is to give you a little push and you take the challenge of finishing up’, the bishop emphasized.

After the Mass came, March past from the representatives of Catholic Secondary Schools within Awka Diocese.
While the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese, his Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor; the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Charles Ndubusi; the Educational Secretary of the Diocese; Rev. Fr Maximus Okonkwo; the YCS Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Henry Oduenyi and the Chairman of the occasion, Barr.Val Obienyem, received the salutes, the students showed enthusiasm in the activities of the march past with an array of glamour styles accompanying it.
In his address of welcome, the President, YCSN Awka Diocese, Comr. Paul Onyebuchi Anabogu, stressed the essence of the of YCSN. This, according to him, was to bring to the fore, innovations, and also ensure the growth of YCSN in the Diocese through valuable knowledge and practical truth to her members.
While he thanked and appreciated their benefactors on the financial and moral support they had received so far, he equally pleaded for financial support to help in the purchase of a vehicle to ease their transportation to conventions and seminars.
Dr. George Franklin Umeh, the initiator of Bishop’s Carol and Founder of Angelic Voices Foundation, AVF gave the opening remarks while his children – Chimdindu, Chimadikamma, and Chimbungolim Umeh – ushered in the carol of Nine Lessons with the song, “Joy to the World”.

The songs were rendered by choirs from St. John of God Secondary school, Awka; St. Patrick’s College, Awka; Loretto Special Science School, Adazi Nnukwu and Burbendorf Memorial Secondary School, Adazi Nnukwu; St. Mary’s College, Awka; St. Michaels Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo; Tansi International College, Okpuno; and St. Anthony’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Agulu.
The reading of the lessons were done by the Chairman of the occasion, Barr. Val Obienyem; the Education Secretary, Rev. Fr Maximus Okonkwo; the Chief Executive Officer of Princeton Orthopedic Specialist Hospital, Awka, Dr Amaechi Nwachukwu; Sister the Special Adviser, YCSN, Rev. Sr. Luciana Eze Onwumele, among other lectors.

Speaking to Fides about the event, Dr. George Franlin Umeh stated that the aims of the Bishop’s Carol were facilitate a kind of reunion between the bishop and the youths and students; to give the youths enabling environment to showcase their talents; to encourage enculturation and to create an avenue for music talent hunt for the students.
In a similar note the Chaplain and the Assistant Chaplain of YCS, Rev. Frs. Henry Oduenyi and Cosmas Emengini respectively extended their appreciation to all those who made the event a success.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who was represented by Barr. Val. Obienyem, Barr. Tony Agbasiere, Amaechi Nwachukwu who promised to be a yearly sponsor of the event with prizes for schools and choirs who distinguish themselves.
Side attractions of the events included cultural displays, peagantry and music interludes.
