BISHOP AUGUSTINE T. UKWUOMA CELEBRATES HIS FIRST CHRISM MASS & CATHEDRATICUM WITH THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF ORLU DIOCESE.

The Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Toochukwu Ukwuoma, on Thursday 9^th April 2009, celebrated his Chrism Mass and Cathedraticum with his faithful of Orlu Diocese. The Bishop, who was consecrated on 21^st June 2008, assumed his rightful position as the Chief Shephered of the Diocese by being the Chief Celebrant and the President of the Eucharistic Assembly of the Chrism Mass.

FOUR NEW PARISHES CREATED FOR THE DICOESE OF ORLU:

Before the Homily, the Bishop announced the creation of four new Parishes for the Diocese of Orlu. These 4 new Parishes were formally Stations now raised to the Parish Status. They include: St. Anthony’s Parish Uloano-Ndugba which was carved out from St. Theresa’s Parish Mbato; St. Anthony of Padua’s Parish, Uli (made up of St. Anthony’s Station & St. John’s Station Amamputu) which was carved out from St. Jude’s Parish Uli; St. John’s Parish Amiri and St. Gerald’s Parish Amiri which were carved out from St. Paul’s Parish Amiri.

RESULT OF THE LAST YEAR’S CATHEDRATICUM:

The Bishop equally announced the result of the last year’s Cathedraticum. It is as follows:

1^st Position -                St. Mary’s Parish, Amaifeke

2^nd Position -               St. Joseph’s Parish, Umuna

3^rd Position -                St. Anthony’s Parish Isiekenesi

3^rd Position -                St. John’s Parish, Urualla

4^th Position -                St. Mary’s Parish, Umuaka

5^th Position -                Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish, Orlu

6^th Position -                St. Theresa’s Parish, Uli

7^th Position -                St. Mary’s Parish, Umuowa

8^th Position -                St. Mary’s Parish, Obodoukwu

9^th Position -                St. Theres’a Parish, Mbato

10^th Position -              Regina Pacis Parish, Ihioma.

The Parish Priests of these Parishes received certificate and an Umbrella from the Bishop as token of appreciation for their efforts.

SPECIAL GIFTS TO 2 PRIESTS:

The bishop gave 2 Priests – Rev. Frs. Emmanuel Durunwa and Isidore Mmadueke special gifts for their good works which he, the bishop reserved in his pectore and did not disclose. Rather, he promised to disclose it to them one day when he decides.

HOMILY:

In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the principal mystery the church celebrates today at the Chrism Mass as the Institution of the Priesthood, where we bless the 3 oils the Church uses in her Pastoral care of the people. The oils include: Oil of the sick (Oleum Infirmaorum), oil of the Cathecumen, and Holy Chrism. He emphasized more on the institution of the Priesthood. He wished the Priests of the Diocese a happy feast day and reminded them that they are only instruments in the hands of God for the service of the Church and the entire people of God. He used the allegory of hammer used by the Carpenter to drive home his message. He reminded the Priests also that no one is a Priest unto himself. Therefore, Priests should live and work according to the mind of Christ and the direction of the Church. Priests should use wisely and properly the 3 oils of the Church as their working tools for the proper Pastoral care of the people. Priests should anoint with oleum infirmorum not only the physical bodies of the people, but also their spiritual bodies (souls). In their Pastoral Care of the sick, the Bishop reminded the Priests never to forget all those who take care of the sick, because they suffer along with the sick. He thanked sincerely the Priests of the Diocese for their support and good works in their various places of Pastoral assignment. He therefore, encouraged and enjoined them to leave no stone unturned. On the part of the faithful, the bishop, thanked them sincerely for their generous support to their priests, and the church in their parishes and the diocese in general. He therefore, encouraged them never to relent in rendering selfless and generous service to the church in the Parishes and the Diocese in general. He encouraged the good spirited individuals and families to take up noble projects both in their Parishes and the diocese to immortalize their names and their loved ones. He made special appeal for assistance in the on-going establishment of the Diocesan Priests' Retirement Home. He equally challenged the lay faithful in their various groups to live harmoniously with their priests.

The Bishop finally warned against an ugly trend ‘INDIVIDUALISM’, which he called a 'silent virus' eating gradually deep into the fabrics of the Church. He warned that it has never been in our culture, rather, it is in the western culture to be alone. He enjoined on all to shun this ugly new development, which if left unchecked, would destroy not only the society but also the culture and the Church. He prayed God to shower his blessings on all.