Sunday, September 4th,2022 was a special day in the Igbo Catholic Community, Hayward, diocese of Oakland. It was a day the faithful set out to honor all Catholic Clergy and Religious serving us in all spiritual matters and working hard for our salvation. The Community’s blueprint designs for the celebration is modeled like activities and memories of Mother’s and Father’s Sunday. The church honors the Fathers and the Mothers and that is the reason why Igbo Catholic Community came up with the idea to honor the Clergy and Religious for all what they do for us, in our personal lives, in our families and regarding our spiritual matters. Igbo Catholic Community, Hayward (ICCH) is the first community ON RECORD to set aside a particular day to honor Clergy and Religious in a special way.
The special guest of the occasion was the Vicar General of the diocese of Oakland, Very Reverend Fr Lawrence D’Anjou. The Chaplain of the community, Rev Fr Osi Mgbaramuko, was the chief celebrant and twenty priests concelebrated with him. There were two deacons on the alter and among Religious were three Reverend Sisters.
The Homily was done by Rev Fr (Dr) Alfred Amos. Fr Amos is one of the priest members of ICCH. He focused his teaching of the day on the gospel according to Luke 14:25-33 to analyze how Jesus Christ uses ‘a short and simple story that teaches a religious or moral lesson’. He said that God’s words are full of wisdom and cannot be read or understood literally. He he sighted this example “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Fr Amos said that Jesus did not and never commanded anyone to hate his or her family members and or, friends. But rather, he explained what Jesus is teaching to us is that nobody be it father, mother, wife, brothers, sisters and children should deny you the love of Christ. In essence, we should not place anyone or any situation between us and God. That God should always be number one in our situations, all the time and in all seasons.
Before the Mass ended, the ICCH appreciated all the Clergy and Religious present. The President of ICCH, Sir Austin Uwakwe on behalf of the community, exceptionally thanked the special guest of honor, Very Reverend Lawrence Anjoy, the Vicar General, diocese of Oakland for making out time to attend the occasion within short notice. He thanked him for the good job he is doing for Christ and for diocese of Oakland. He dubbed him ‘the best Vicar General in the Catholic church’. The President of the Men and Women organization respectively, Sir Ambrose Nnamede and Dr (Lady) Ugochi Amuzie jointly appreciated the Clergy men with beautiful gifts. Leaders of Youths and Adults ministry were on stage to appreciate the Religious Community present with beautiful gifts as well. Second part of the occasion took place at the hall after Mass. After the opening prayer and blessing of food and drinks, by the Chaplain, Rev Fr Osi Mgbaramuko, the Youth ministry took over the stage for their spectacular dance performance. Followed by lively entrance and breaking of beautiful handcraft cake by the chief host, Rev Fr Osi Mgbaramuko and Special Guest, Very Rev Larry D’Anjou. The Women’s characteristic and organic worldwide known dance dominated the entire space with electrifying entrance. The entire space gets thrilled and stimulated.
The appreciation of Clergy and Religious continued with their own dance performance. They entertained the gathering with popular Nigeria song call Buga. With the recorded success and its joyful impact on our Clergy and Religious, this celebration has become an annual event holding on first Sunday of September every year.
Igbo Catholic Community, Hayward, diocese of Oakland in state of California is a premium Catholic Faith Organization. It is a vibrant Community of Men, Women, Children, Youths and Young adults that come together to offer Liturgical and Cultural diversity for their common goal. It was inaugurated in 2004 to address the spiritual and social needs of the people of Igbo descent from Nigeria living in the Bay Area. The Igbo Mass is held on every first Sunday of every month at All Saints Catholic Church Parish, Hayward at 230pm. Mass features Igbo ethnic Liturgical hymns, charismatic songs and music with exotic musical instruments. Membership of this community is open to every Igbo Catholic living in the Bay Area. For enquiries, please contact us through info@igbocatholicorg. Remember to join us on Sunday October 2nd,2022 at 230pm. It is our Harvest and Bazaar Thanksgiving Day. Come participate for God loves cheerful Givers (2 Corinthians 9:7)
