“It is a day of great joy for us as a diocese today as we gather to bless this new convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame working with us and for us”. These are the words of Bishop Donatus Ogun as he blessed the newly build convent on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The event took place at Ogwa, a stone – throw from St John the Baptist Catholic, at 11:00 A.M.
The Sisters of Notre Dame have been in Uromi diocese for about 6 years now, assisting the diocese in her work of evangelisation through education of the young in Ogwa town among other apostolate of the congregation. Currently, they see to the day-to-day running of St Joseph Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Ogwa, an institution of the diocese of Uromi.
Until this time, the Sisters of Notre Dame had lived in a rented apartment from where they carried out their mission in the diocese. As a way of creating an enabling environment for them, Uromi diocese, through the instrumentality of the first Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Dr Augustine Akubeze began the convent project until he was promoted and subsequently transferred to Benin City as the Archbishop. Bishop Ogun continued in the same spirit and just after one year of his administration the convent became completed and blessed for habitation.
Just before the blessing, Bishop Ogun in his remark, thanked the Onojie of Ogwa, Zaiki Victor Ehizojie II, who was himself on ground to lead his people to witness the ground breaking ceremony. The Bishop thanked him for his supportive role and contribution in the form of the provision of free land, financial contribution and mobilisation of his people to see to the growth of Catholicism in Ogwa, particularly also in the materialisation of the convent project. He thanked the entire people of Ogwa, who trouped out in their great numbers to welcome the Bishop for this event for their homeliness to the Sisters of Notre Dame. He urged them not to be tired in their support for the Sisters as this would go a long way to encourage them in their apostolate. He urged the people to patronise the school being managed by the Sisters so as to give a solid Catholic foundation to their children.
The Bishop extended his unreserved appreciation to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Francis Okhah for the good work of keeping the flock in Ogwa together and for making the day’s event a splendid one through his commitment and mobilisation of the parishioners for adequate preparation. Particular mention was made of Fr Stephen Ogbeiye, the immediate past Parish Priest of Ogwa, for all his efforts and contribution towards the convent project, and Rev. Fr Dr Fidelis Arhedo, who made himself available to supervise the project right from inception to completion.
After his remarks, Bishop Ogun proceeded with the blessing of the convent in the presence of Many Priests and Religious from within and outside the diocese, particularly Sisters of Notre Dame, who came from other states of the federation to celebrate with their Sisters.
By Staff Reporter
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