The Choice Flame Newspaper

25/08/2025

25/08/2025

It's Youth O'clock today. Join us this evening on 94.5 Urban Radio Enugu and Catholic Diocese of Enugu The Choice Flame Newspaper

The future is here!

25/08/2025

Enugu Diocese Installs New Lectors and Acolytes

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu witnessed the solemn installation of five Lectors and fourteen Acolytes during a Holy Mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu. The Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus V. C. Onaga, in the presence of the Diocesan Vocation Director, Very Rev. Fr. Ambrose Agu, the Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Ozonwafor, and a large gathering of the faithful.

The Code of Canon Law (1983), Canon 1035 § 1 explicitly requires seminarians to be instituted as Lectors and Acolytes before receiving Holy Orders: “Before anyone is promoted to the permanent diaconate or to the presbyterate he is to have received the ministries of lector and acolyte and exercised them for a suitable time.”

In his homily, themed “Suffering is Part of Your Journey,” Bishop Onaga reminded the candidates that the Christian life, especially the journey to the priesthood, is marked by trials and sacrifices. He noted that “after the cross comes the crown,” stressing that “before you can get what you want you must suffer. There is no shortcut in life.” He encouraged them to live holy lives worthy of their calling and to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.

Following the homily, the liturgical rite of installation was conducted. The five candidates for the ministry of Lector were formally entrusted with the Word of God, while the fourteen candidates for the ministry of Acolyte were instituted to serve at the altar and assist in the celebration of the Eucharist. Receiving the Scriptures symbolizes their new responsibility to proclaim God’s Word in the liturgy and to study, meditate, and live by it. It highlights their role as servants of the Word, preparing them to one day preach as deacons, and later as priests.

The chalice/paten represents their special closeness to the altar. It prepares them for the Eucharistic ministry, which will be at the heart of their priesthood. It emphasizes service: the acolyte is called to serve Christ present in the Eucharist and in the faithful, especially the sick when bringing Communion.

Towards the conclusion of the Mass, the Diocesan Vocation Director, Very Rev. Fr. Ambrose Agu, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the bishop, the formators, and all the faithful who supported the candidates in their vocational journey.

The celebration was a joyful moment for the diocese, marking an important step in the formation of future priests who will serve the Church with the Word and at the Altar.

These rites are not mere ceremonies; they are sacramental moments of formation. They mark the candidate’s progression toward Holy Orders: first being grounded in the Word (Lector), then rooted in the Eucharist (Acolyte), before being ordained as deacon and finally priest. They also visibly express the Church’s trust that the seminarian is ready to assume these ministries permanently.

24/08/2025

Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu Concludes Youth Week with Thanksgiving Mass

The 2025 Youth Week of Holy Ghost Cathedral Parish, Enugu, came to a colorful close on Sunday, August 24, with a solemn Thanksgiving Mass presided over by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus V. C. Onaga. The week-long program, which drew enthusiastic participation from youths across the parish, featured a variety of spiritual, social, and entertaining activities aimed at fostering unity, talent, and faith among the young people.

On Day Three (Wednesday), the parish hosted a Cooking Competition and a Quiz Contest. The cooking session, judged by Mrs. Ezinne Jacinta Ani of Divine Favour Catering Services, tasked contestants with preparing the local delicacies Akidi and Abacha. At the end of the keenly contested exercise, Miss Odinakachukwu Ude emerged the winner. Later in the day, the Youth Quiz was held under the moderation of Rev. Emmanuel Nwafor, with Rev. Sr. Sarah Edeoga, IHM, recording scores. The competition ended in victory for St. Augustine Zone.

Day Four (Thursday) featured the much-anticipated Dinner Night and Pageantry Competition with both male and female categories. Contestants showcased their elegance and creativity in three phases—Career, Traditional, and Corporate. At the end of the contest, Miss Ifunanya Ogbu was crowned 2025 Miss CYON Holy Ghost Cathedral Parish, while Master Okwudili Nnamani was vested as 2025 Master CYON Holy Ghost Cathedral Parish. Intermittent games such as Chair Dance, Fastest Fingers (Airtime Bonus), and Spelling Bees kept the audience entertained during breaks.

On Day Five (Friday), the youths gathered for a Cinema Night, during which they watched The Pope’s Exorcist, a movie that portrays the story of Rev. Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the renowned Italian priest and exorcist.

The week-long event climaxed on Sunday, August 24, with a grand Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Bishop Onaga, who commended the parish youth for their creativity, zeal, and commitment to their faith. After the mass, they had reception activities and grand entertainment at the Purgatorian Society Hall inside the Cathedral.

The 2025 Youth Week of Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, will be remembered not only for its rich blend of spiritual and recreational activities but also for the bonds of friendship and inspiration it fostered among the young faithful.

23/08/2025

Gospel of the Day (Matthew 23:1-12)

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

22/08/2025

Let us pray Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

℣. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

22/08/2025

Let us pray,

O God, who made the Mother of your Son
to be our Mother and our Queen,
graciously grant that, sustained by her intercession,
we may attain in the heavenly Kingdom
the glory promised to your children.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

22/08/2025

Gospel of the Day (Matthew 22:34-40)

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’

21/08/2025

Catholic Bishop's Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Statement on the Call of the Holy Father to Prayer and Fasting for Peace— on Friday 22nd August 2025, Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

21/08/2025

Holy Ghost Cathedral Holds Youth Week 2025

The Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, is currently hosting its annual Youth Week celebration, which began on Sunday, August 17, and will run through Sunday, August 24, 2025. This year’s theme, “God is My Sole Strength” (Isaiah 40:31), underscores the central focus of the weeklong program—deepening the faith of young people while addressing their spiritual, moral, and physical well-being.

The program opened with a Holy Mass, followed by a vibrant session of praise and worship, the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a spiritual talk, and communal prayers. The keynote spiritual talk was delivered by Rev. Fr. Chukwuma Igboekwu, who expounded on the theme, drawing attention to the dangers of paganism and the blessings of absolute trust in God. He reminded the youths that reliance on God is the true source of strength in a world filled with distractions and false beliefs.

On the second day, the focus shifted to health and relationships, as Dr. Kelvin Echetabu addressed the youths with practical advice for wholesome living. His health counsel emphasized the importance of routine medical checks, self-examination for early detection of illnesses, and responsible lifestyle choices. He also warned against substance abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, and the dangers of smoking, contraceptive misuse, and skin-bleaching products.

Guided by their Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Daniel Onah, and with the support of the Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Ozonwafor, the youths are being led through a balanced program of faith enrichment, moral formation, and healthy living.

The Youth Week continues with more activities lined up, all aimed at equipping the younger generation to draw strength from God while building a responsible and purposeful future.

21/08/2025

Gospel of the Day (Matthew 22:1-14)

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

20/08/2025

St. Michael’s Parish Asata Youth Week Kicks Off with Exciting Activities

The 2025 Youth Week of St. Michael’s Parish commenced on Monday, August 18, with the theme: “The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Pursuit” (Ecclesiastes 2:1). The weeklong program promises a blend of spiritual, physical, and intellectual activities aimed at fostering unity, talent development, and moral formation among the parish youths.

The opening day was marked by colorful outdoor events, beginning with a march-past competition. Youths from different parish zones, clad in vibrant uniforms, paraded to the rhythm of the Parish Altar Knights’ marching band. The Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Ochiagha, who also serves as the Vicar for Youths of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, received salutes from the groups as they showcased their discipline and parade skills.

The day progressed with track and field competitions, including the 100m dash, bottle race, egg race, and three-legged race. The energetic Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Orji, coordinated the activities to the delight of participants and spectators. Other engaging games such as the tug-of-war and the popular “Fanta and Sprite” challenge added fun to the event, leaving participants and observers with memorable experiences.

On Tuesday, August 19, the second day of the Youth Week, attention shifted to an intellectual and health-focused program. The guest speaker, Mrs. Calista Nnatuanya, a registered nurse, delivered a lecture on the topic “Mental Health Matters: Understanding and Caring for Your Mental Health.”

In her presentation, Mrs. Nnatuanya described mental health as a “basic human right” and emphasized its importance in personal productivity and community development. She highlighted causes, symptoms, and classifications of mental illness while outlining preventive measures such as self-care, lifestyle adjustments, gratitude, mindfulness, and family involvement. Drawing inspiration from the Scriptures (Philippians 4:6-7; Genesis 1:27; Romans 12:2), she urged the youths to prioritize mental well-being as an essential part of their spiritual and social lives.

The session, attended by youths and some parents, concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment that addressed real-life concerns. The lecture was widely commended as timely and enriching, particularly given the rising cases of stress and depression in society.

With the success of the first two days, the parish community looks forward with anticipation to the remaining activities lined up for the week.