March 2, 2016, witnessed three grand events in the life of the ecclesial community of St Denis Ugboha and the entire diocese of Uromi by extension, when His Lordship performed two ground-breaking ceremonies and commissioned a newly build Marian Grotto.
As early as 10.00 AM, Bishop Ogun had already arrived St Denis Ugboha in company of the Vicar General – Very Rev. Fr Francis Omonlumen, the Chancellor – Very Rev. Fr Dr Hilary Odenore, the Parish Priest of St Denis, Ugboh – Rev. Fr Dr Samson Imhangbe and a host of Priests and Religious of the diocese, together with a crowd of parishioners of St Denis, who were there to witness the event.
At 10.15 AM, the movement began from the parish ground to the venues of the two ground breaking events. The first was the foundation laying ceremony of an ultra-modern pastoral centre solely conceived and to be single-handedly financed by the family of Dr E.J.S. Uujamhan. Dr Uujamhan was on ground himself to explain the building plan and the motive behind the project. The project is intended to be a pastoral/retreat ground, with up to about 50 guest rooms for accommodation and two halls – a large and a small for conferences and large events. The structure also is to house an orphanage home for the less privileged.
In his response, Bishop Ogun highly appreciated the commitment, contribution and support of Dr Uujamhan and his family to the diocese of Uromi and the people of Ugboha. He enjoined all to pray for him and his family always for God’s protection and blessings. His Lordship then blessed the foundation and laid the foundation stone.
Events moved from the ultra-modern centre site to another site of ground-breaking event. This time, it is the site of a proposed new church building also to be single-handedly financed by the family of Dr Uujamhan. The site is directly opposite to the site of the pastoral/retreat centre. Dr Uujamhan also explained the nature of the project and the intention behind it. Bishop Ogun also thanked the family of Uujamhan for the new church building project and blessed him and his family. His Lordship then proceeded to bless the church building foundation and laid the stone.
Then from the church site, all moved back to St Denis parish ground for the commissioning of the Marian Grotto which also has the family of Uujamhan as a major financier among others. Before the blessing and commisssioning, Bishop Ogun briefly greeted the parishioners in a brief meeting inside the church and thanked them for the contribution and support and encouraged them not to lag in zeal. He also appreciated all those, who in one way or the other contributed to the building of the Marian Grotto. He blessed the parishioners and then all proceeded to the Grotto for the commissioning, and this culminated with the prayer of the Angelus led by Rev. Fr Dr Samson Imhangbe, the host priest.
By Doris Okodogbe
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