St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, ,Building, Awka
Aquinas Parish holds Annual Youth, Children’s Harvest in Awka
By Chinwendu Uzoatu
Christians have been charged to always bear in mind that Christianity is a way of life.
This was made known by a visiting priest, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Ezemmaduka as St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, G.R.A, Awka, marked 2024 Youth and Children’s Harvest and Bazaar.
He stated clearly that Christianity has rules; do’s and dont’s. “Togetherness, brotherhood, helping one another to grow is mandatory.
“Our trouble is that the society is bleeding. People are suffering; hunger everywhere. People are dying. It’s because we have not accepted that Christianity is a way of life. Christians have decided to wear different clothes [attitudes] for different occasions.
“In the gospel today, Christ taught the apostles the way of life – service and humility. When we put the armour of service and humility, it will take us everywhere we go .It will be our guideline.”
Fr Ezemmaduka continued by urging Christians to be courageous, pointing out that God has given them power and energy to change the world.
He also elaborated on the importance of sacrifice by saying: ‘’ We are alive today because of God’s grace. There is nothing we can give that is enough. Through the church, we are apostles of evangelization. Almsgiving expiate sin, attracts God’s favour.’’ On his part, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Francis Oranye expressed his thanks to God and commended the parishioners, as well as Fr Ezemmaduka for coming.
He said: ‘We thank God. He has kept us alive. He has been merciful amidst the scarcity. I advice the youths to look at the elders and see that the parish and society grow. Be ready to suffer in order to survive. Do not allow the wind of society to lead you astray.’’
The President, Catholic Youths Association Of Nigeria ( CYON ), St Thomas Aquinas Parish , Anthony Anigbogu said: “ This year’s bazaar will be better than that of last year. In as much as things are difficult, we the living will be giving God thanks and majority of us as young members have said that we will take it as a way of tithe offering . This is why youths are at the table to support the church.”
The chairman, Harvest and Bazaar Committee, Prof Chidi Udedi expressed delight as he commended the youths and children for turning out en masse to support this year’s harvest and bazaar.
He said: ‘’The theme of 2024 Harvest and Bazaar is ‘Harvest of Divine Restoration’. So I ask God to restore all we have lost and for the prayer of the church for this year’s harvest and bazaar to come to fulfillment.’’
On his part, the former Harvest and Bazaar Chairman, Prof Clement Ezeanyeji commended the parish for their great support during his tenure and also prayed for the success of the event.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the occasion, Mr Nnamdi Okutalukwe [Mc Dontiti] called on the youths to be strong in God’s work and to use their minds to worship God now that they have the energy to serve him.
He also advised them to be resilient because crime is not the best way to hardship, instead they should make more efforts to survive.
The Zone 7 Youth President, Mr Matthew Chimezie Ogwu said: ‘‘This year’s event is very good. I encourage the youths in my zone to be active. They always do their best. This is an avenue to thank God because it is not easy to be alive.’’
In separate interviews, the zonal leaders of zone 5 and 1, Barr. Emeka Ifediba and Engr Ikechukwu Udala gave God all the glory and prayed for the success of this year’s harvest and bazaar, even as they encouraged the youths to be steadfast.
A youth that celebrated her birthday on that day, Ijeoma Ezeugwa said that the journey of life is not easy and it’s worth giving God glory for his mercies.
