Catholic Representatives Commence Tribal Thanksgiving

Catholic Representatives from Lagos, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Nasarawa State have commenced the State’s thanksgiving at the Catholic Church of the Assumption Parish, Falomo, Lagos, yesterday.

The event which takes place every year seeks to create an avenue for Christian worshippers at the parish to thank God for His mercies through the years and specifically for the gift of the present year.

This year’s State’s thanksgiving is set to usher in the harvest celebration titled: “Harvest of Divine Blessing.” The harvest celebration will kick off on the 16th of September 2018, with the children and youth Harvest’.

However, the children and youth harvest will comprise of the award of the best kid from the creative writing competition which took place at the parish hall on Sunday. Other activities enlisted for the children’s harvest are: photo gallery and crowning of the prince and princess of the harvest.

Speaking at the 9am mass of the state’s thanksgiving, Reverend Father Victor Okhiria, the assistant parish priest of the Church urged parishioners to thank God for the gift of life

Reverend Father Christopher Atoyebi, officiating priest for the 6pm mass in his homily urged Christians not to be like the Pharisees in Mark chapter 7, who were more into ritual cleansing than their heart being dedicated to God.

Father Atoyebi also called on Christians to stop emphasizing on the things of the world.

“Rather, Jesus Christ is calling on us to search our heart, thoughts and emotions, drawing closer to God rather than the Church.”

Atoyebi further urged them to live as Christians rather than place values on being called a Christian, taking care of their inner selves.

By Anne Bassey