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Catholic Diocese Of Orlu Secretariate

21/03/2016

Balm for Weary Pilgrims
Venatius C. Oforka
When the Well is Dry (2)
Why the Well can Become Dry
A well cannot dry up without a reason. Knowing the reason or reasons why a well dried up is necessary for determining the right response to the challenges created by the dry well. We shall be considering four different reasons that can essentially account for why the well of a Christian can dry up.
1. A Purposeful Act of God
The well can go dry due to the action of God himself, the maker and owner of all wells. God described himself as a potter and his people as the clay with which he moulds pots according to his will (Jer. 18). He does not mould any pot without a purpose. He can continue to shape and reshape a pot to fit into his destined purpose. The pot is inanimate and does not feel the painful effects of these actions. But Christians are animate beings and will of course feel the pains, when the maker shapes and reshapes them for his good purposes. The idea here could perhaps be clearer with the imagery of divine carpentry.
It is perhaps not a coincidence that the foster father of Jesus was a carpenter. Like most male children, especially the first sons, Jesus most probably worked with his foster Father Joseph in his carpentry workshop. He did presumably learn the trade but differed from his foster father in the mode of practice. Instead of a workshop in the street of Galilee or relocating to a more business city like Jerusalem, he established a carpentry workshop in the lives of those who believe.
Just like a carpenter can see a piece of wood and realise that it could be fit for making a chair, table, drum, mortar or pestle, God easily perceives to what better use he can put any of his children. To do this, he will need to work on his choice instrument like a carpenter works on pieces of woods in order to prepare it for his purpose. To carpenter this crude instrument into his divine design would require subjecting the unfinished instrument through the strikes of his carpenter's hammer and mallet, the piercing pains of the nails, the crushing chippings of the chisels, the cutting effects of the saw and the painful ordeals of other carpentry instruments as may be required. During this period of reshaping and remodelling, no one will expect that the cuts, drills, hammering and sandpapering will be easy to bear.
There are such times in the life of a Christian. God can train those he loves to fit into his divine purpose. He can carry out a work of restructuring in their lives to make them what he wants them to be. Such a restructuring can at times be excruciating. No one under any form of training finds it easy. But the greater and more ennobling the reason for the training is, the more rigorous the training will be, and nothing is nobler than being in heaven's service. This is the reason why the book of Sirach admonishes: „My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and the chosen in the furnace of humiliation“ (2: 1-5).
Sirach compares the quality of those who serve the Lord with that of gold. The beauty and worth of gold can only be ascertained by passing it through fire. The Lord knows exactly the amount of heat required to refine each Christian in order to worth the name and be engaged for higher values. All those who have gone before us were marked with this glorious sign.
St. Paul related his own experience and said: „To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you'“ (2 Cor. 12: 7-9). The “thorn” was not removed from this great Apostle because it was serving a divine purpose, which also protected him from the deadly sin of pride. All that he required to bear this cross was the grace of God, which the Lord sufficiently supplied him. The sufferings of a Christian are directed according to the divine plan, for „in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose“ (Rom 8: 28).
2. The Devil's Jealousy
The jealousy of the evil one is another reason why the well of a Christian can dry up. A successful strike from him can be very upsetting. St. Peter described him as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1Pet. 5: 8). He can initiate a bitter time for a Christian out of jealousy that he or she enjoys and is destined to inherit what he lost. This often happens when a Christian is flourishing in the blessings and joys of those who sincerely serve God. This should not be surprising because such Christians get on his nerves. The devil hates this and would want to deal with them. His strategy is to set some troubles on their paths in order to frustrate them and make them break communion with God. At times these troubles may come in a chain reaction, giving one scarcely any respite. However, the devil has no right to upset the life of such Christians and cannot set these difficulties in motion without permission from God. This reason for dryness is aptly exemplified in the didactic story of Job.
Job was a righteous man. God himself described him in these beautiful words: „There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.“ This made the devil to burn with jealousy and sought the permission to oppress him so that he would curse God. He told God, „Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands.... But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.“ The Lord said, „very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.“
God believed in Job and entrusted himself into his hands, confident that he would prove him right without Job knowing what was at stake. The way he responds to these trials would make God proud or give the devil the chance to gloat over God. Some Christian suffering can take this form.
When the bitter trials of Job eventually started, he tore his garments in sorrow. He gave painful lamentations and shaved his head in mourning. This is completely human. God would not expect us not to react according to our nature. But Job took a further but decisive step after his lamentations. He fell to the ground, surrendered to the absolute will of God and worshipped him. Humbly he said: „Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised“ (Job: 1: 21). Even when his wife said to him, „Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die“ (Job 2: 9), Job soberly replied, „shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?“ The didactic writer then added, „In all this, Job did not sin in what he said (Job: 2:10).
What Job exercised in his trials is the fortitude required of a Christian that is being battered by trials and troubles. When these suddenly come, even when one does not see any breach in one's relationship with God, a one is expected to react like Job. Looking at God suspiciously with suggestions that appear accusing only complicates issues. No matter what happens, God remains good and faithful. To be able to make the profession of faith, like Job, in the midst of pain and torture is the true mark of a Christian.
The devil's manoeuvres will not last forever. He can be mighty but will never be almighty. His powers are limited. Therefore, his mission to destroy will expire with time. No matter how he presents himself, he remains under the overwhelming might of God. At the expiration of his gruelling oppression, the soothing balm of God's kindness and ointment of healing will be administered with Gods tender love. That was what happened when Job was able to stand till the storm of destruction passed by. He then shouted: „I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.“
However, every trial must not end with earthly triumph. One may bow out into eternity in the midst of such circumstances. That does not mean that one has lost the battle. What is basically important is what happens ultimately 'across the bridge'. The final and decisive victory of Christians is not to be celebrated in this world. Sufferings that introduce a Christian into beholding the splendour of God's eternal glory should be indeed a welcome experience. God might decide to work out a Christian's salvation through a suffering that end in bodily death.
St Bernadette Sourbirous was terribly asthmatic. She also suffered from the tuberculosis of the bone in the knee. Her racking cough at the same time made her situation more unbearable. She finally succumbed to these chronic diseases. Yet when the ritual exhumation for her canonization took place, thirty years after her death, this body which was battered by diseases and infirmities, was found to be incorruptible. She was victorious in spite of her earthly bitter experiences.
3. The Wages of Sin

21/03/2016

JOURNEY WITH THE YOUTH H SERIES
BEGIN FROM…
Welcome back from the last journey, the journey of “How Market”? How did it go? Did you make out anything from the journey? The Market is not promising. We’ve always been in the “near-success” process n our National life. We have not succeeded in repeating any feat, any success and so have always landed in near success.
We used the UTME that was concluded on 19th March 2016 as a case study and prayed for a time “Institution/in our land will ever acknowledge a failure and accept responsibility for something that did not go as planned rather than throwing blames. We cited how such is handled in Nations that are planning to survive:
Based on your complaint
about…test on…we
want to apologise for the interruption,
the system failure during the test
For this reason we will like to offer
you another test in…we await
your response for further action
we apologise once again for the
inconveniences this might have caused..
it has been decided that you take
another test at our expense.

If you read through the mail above you will see
- Acceptance of Responsibility
- Respect for the candidates
- Prompt response to a complaint
- Building trust in the system
- Credibility of the Board
- Taking care of the Expense
- And Apologies

The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) had some issues in this year CBT-UTME, which is not unseen before. In every part of the world, mistakes do occur. However the difference lies in the handling of the mistake that occurred. Developed Nations will develop more by acknowledging and accepting the mistakes and failures with apologies but undeveloped Nations will under develop themselves by not accepting responsibility for the failures.
In Response to the issues at stake and the demonstration by candidates and their Parents against the “system failures”, “lack of answers in the available options”, “miracle and padded results”, “two different results for one person”, “double option answers in some”, Vanguard Newspaper Tues 15/3/16 edition quoted the board as saying – “JAMB will not compromise the standard of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) irrespective of pressure from any quarters”. Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Board’s Head of the Media and information said Tuesday in Lagos “that the conduct of the examination, which ends on March 19, 2016 had so far been successful despite few technical hitches recorded in some centres” … “Some persons, despite the board’s efforts in ensuring standard and global best practices in the conduct of its examination, are working hard to destroy it”… Our examinations conducted on the Computer Based Test (CBT) platform are meant to be carried out only in centres with the full complement of all indices needed for the success of the examination…He regretted that some of the centres were however, unusable as most of the computers and other backup facilities provided were faulty.
Read the press release carefully and see what you can deduce from it.
• The Board did not accept Responsibility
• The Board played a blame game
• The Board could not vouch for some centres it approved
• The Board accepted that there were system failures in some centres

There was no apologies to the candidates and their parents. Who should take responsibility for the centres without full complement of all indices needed for the examination? Who should bear the blame for the unusable centres that were used, where the computers and other backup facilities were faulty? Did the candidates not pay for the exam?
In developed clime and in Nations that want to develop, apologies would first of all be rendered and ways sort to help those who were affected by the development but not here. In the midst of all these “near-success” process of our development, institutions wishing only to maximize profit but not to render service, how can you still ask us to read Ngugi wa Thiong’O, 1964 novel – “weep not child” whereas there is a lot to be wept over. Are we to forever accept that the Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah’s ‘The beautiful ones are not yet born”. When will the beautiful ones be born in any of our Institutions and system? One may find the cynicism and pessimism in the Novel rather depressing but has anything changed even in the midst of CHANGE AND THE PROPAGANDA OF CHANGE

21/03/2016

EDITORIAL
NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT: AN EXERCISE IN VERBOSITY
Very recently it was credited to Nigeria’s first literary Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyika, that during a courtesy cm solidarity visit to A*o Rock he called for National Economic Summit to be put in place. This “clarion call” so to speak, is said to have received urgent attention as the government of the day is giving the call the serious consideration it deserves. However, adhering to put together a National Economic Summit is like that Igbo Ozo-title holder who went buying a leather bag for his “ofo” after he had lost the “ofo” – symbol of his authority.
Another “summit” on top of too many conferences and summits whose recommendations and resolutions have been discarded or set aside looks like Nigerian leaders are in love with “jaw-jawing” which is an exercise in verbosity. The political debate husbanded by Gen. I.B. Babangida (Rtd.) in the 1990s, where did it take Nigeria to? It was like giving vent or free expression to verbiage. At the end, did IBB not annul the 1993 June 12 election? National Economic Summit? Yes! But does Nigeria have “National Economy? Here starts the enigma. In trying to look into the economy of this nation and so pin down “Nigerian Economy” that should be the main thrust of any National Economic Summit, the proposed Nigerian National Economic Summit might hit a cul-de-sac and then the country goes back to “square zero” not “square one” or the Summit’s recommendations go the way of several previous conferences’ recommendations and resolutions. Were the previous National Economic Plans not the outcome of conferences, summits and workshops held in the country and elsewhere in Africa and Europe? At what point of Nigeria’s Development Administration were the blueprints abandoned?
Recently the visiting South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma, declared: “Time has come for Africa to break away from colonial legacies”, a step he said “would help in the economic development of the African Regions” South of the Sahara. The Maghreb Region (North African Region) tied to Arab, (and by extension to Islamic Economy) and European economies are not faring better either. One of such legacies handed over to African leaders is “the strong link of African economies” to those of the metropolitans and their bourgeois capitalism. The economic system from “the West” to “the Rest of us” is such that “the freedom of the down-trodden is surely in the grave”, apologies to P. Heinecke. This erudite scholar, former Senior Lecturer of Public Administration in the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and author of “Public Management of Poverty” once wrote: “These monotonous repetitive documents constantly warn against the evils of riches and exploitation, and they recommend equal rights and opportunities for all, self-determination, universal respect for human rights, and fundamental freedom for all citizens. These formal, moral and legal precepts (frameworks) and high-sounding principles have yet to become reality, for there is theoretical and abstract equality in the land, but practical, concrete and increasing inequality. A heaven of ideas is superimposed on the hell of reality” (P. Heinecke 1986 pp. 20-21). How apt! Which subsequent government in Nigeria since 1986 has faulted this assertion of his by economic plans, verifiable policies and practical implementation? It is not that there have been no movers and shakers in the politics of Nigeria but from where did this rain start beating us?
The National Economic Summit coming on the heels of a discarded National Conference is at best an exercise in National Jamboree of verbosity. Instead of jettisoning the recommendations and resolutions of the just concluded National Conference of 2014 that X-rayed the first one hundred years of bringing together more than 250 nations into a conglomerate called Nigeria, the present Government of the Nigerian Federation must find therein issues relevant to the nation’s economic conjunctures and set out to implement them. Any new Summit again, and Nigeria will be telling the world that she is yet to find her best eggheads. Let us work hard to cushion the effects of bad economy, leave aside rhetorics and compel Nigerians to dissociate themselves from American dollars and the dollar-driven economies as recommended by IMF and the World Bank.
The Forum Editorial is of the view that if the present Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari, persuade Nigerians to believe in themselves and look inwards, Nigeria “go survive” and Nigerians must fare better. The lesson from Nigeria’s present economic predicaments is that: “Bright summer day is gone. Everything passes away and Nigeria has Nobody to console her in her sorrows”. Nothing will be left for her than “to paddle her own canoe”. There is no man or woman, no nation or community on earth created by God who is not endowed. Let’s ignore the IMF-led Western Economists: They are simply bluffing it out.

21/03/2016

School of Health and Technology Okporo at limelight as they hold Her 11th Matriculation/ Maiden Induction.
Do not despise days of little beginning the scripture says, like a dream it started 11 years ago, what was thought to be an impossible mission was kick-started by the determination and courage of a great woman. Before the year 2005, it was thought as impossible that a school of health and technology could be owned by the catholic diocese of orlu. It was James Lane Allen who said that whether you be a man or a woman, you will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour. Standing on this, there will be no better way to describe the person of Sr. Stella Maris Okoroha, than a woman of courage. It is worthy of note that against all odds, it was through the efforts of this woman and the Episcopal blessings and approval that the catholic diocese of orlu is proud to be the owners of this prestigious tertiary institution of higher learning.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved. This is true when juxtaposed with the history of the school. What we today have as school of Health Technology Okporo is the exhibition of courage at its apex. It is worthy of note that this institution is the only and best Catholic School of Health Technology institution in Nigeria, with three well functional and accredited department namely Community Health Department, Medical Laboratory Science Department and Environmental Department. As Elizabeth Janeway said that if one is going to change things, one has to make a fuss and catch the eye of the world, the radical and positive changes adapted by this institution has really caught the eyes of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as they found it worthy and conducive for academic activities and immediately install a Jamb examination centre.
This year’s Matriculation/Induction seems to be the best of its kind as the event kicked on with a holy mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Dr. Clement Iroka. During the homily, he said that the crowd after listening to Christ’s astonishing teaching divided into two major segments the supporters and opposers, the supporters were for him because they saw the truth in the undisputable teaching of Christ and admitted it while the opposers were pessimistic people who were very busy devising a trap for him so to crucify him but yet Christ escaped their trap. He therefore implored the matriculants to always do what is right no matter the negative aura surrounding them, to be optimistic and adhere to the rules and regulations of the institution stating that their good behaviours and character will always bear them witness as Christ’s teaching did.
Furthermore, he admonished them to emulate and identify with people who are positive and optimistic in the society that it will strengthen their moral character tremendously and illumine their academic life. People who are negative and pessimistic lack moral standards and they attract negative things around them even though some of them might be educated. However, he warned the matriculants never to be lenient and lousy as its being tolerated by other higher institutions.
At the end of the post communion, Fr. Clement appreciated the directress of the institution Rev. Sister Stella Maris Okoroha and rest of the Rev.Srs and Lecturers of the institution and as well the matriculants and the lay faithful for their effort and support for the progress of the institution, he therefore pleaded with the matriculants to comport themselves throughout the ceremony bearing in mind that though this is a higher institution that belongs to the church therefore morality is needed.
Matriculation/Induction ceremony commenced after the dismissal of Mass and it was indeed a memorable event as everyone went home happily.

21/03/2016

SS Peter & Paul Nnerim Ndugba Celebrates her Maiden Pastoral Visit

The prelate of the Catholic Diocese Orlu; Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma paid a faith-filled pastoral visit to SS Peter & Paul Nnerim Ndugba. The visit lasted from Saturday 12th through Sunday 13th March, 2016. Upon his arrival, the bishop visited traditional ruler of the community ,HRH Eze Stanley Egbe (Obioha of Nnerim Ndugba,) and equally visited St. Mary’s Maternity Nnerim Ndugba where he prayed for the pregnant women and the sick, after which there was benediction and meeting with parish council.

The climax of the visit was the celebration of the Holy mass on Sunday, 13th March, 2016 by the Bishop during which he confirmed 79 candidates. Speaking during his homily, from the gospel of (John 8 1-11) where Christ freed the woman who was condemned to die for her sins according to the law. Christ refused to condemn her but rather forgave her, and encouraged her to go and sin no more. The prelate reminded the faithful that God is not out to condemn us but he is always ready to forgive our sins. He however urged the faithful to avoid occasions of sin and persons who could lead one to sin. The bishop on the other hand called the attention of the candidates for confirmation to the fact that they are now saying yes to the faith which their parents received on their behalf when they were infants and to brace up for the challenges of true discipleship. He prayed God to grant them the strength and courage to live out a life worthy of their calling as Christians.
The prelate after the post communion prayers rewarded the candidates who distinguished themselves in the catechism examinations. He also thanked the choir for their wonderful performance, the Church warders for maintaining serenity in the church, the parish pastoral committee for their wonderful organizations, the parish officials for their dedication to the church and also appreciated other statutory bodies.
At this point ,the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Remigius Udeze thanked the prelate for his love and care for the faithful of SS Peter & Paul Nnerim Ndugba which made him to visit the people notwithstanding his tight schedule. He also thanked all who contributed to the success of the celebration especially Sir Silas Ike and those who supported the parish in one way or the other.

The mass was followed by a grandiose reception of the prelate where the parishioners expressed their joy and gratitude. The prelate was also thrilled with many cultural displays by the parishioners as they showered him with numerous gifts. The reception was brought to an end after the bishop imparted his blessings on the faithful.

21/03/2016

EDITION 453
ST MICHAEL’S PASTORAL REGION CELEBRATES 2016 CATHEDRATICUM IN GRAND STYLE
Over 60 parishes under St. Michael’s Pastoral Region on 12th March 2016, convened at St. Michael’s parish Urualla to celebrate the 2016 Cathedraticum. Present at the celebration were the Catholic bishop of Orlu, Most Rev. Dr. A.T Ukwuoma, who was the principal celebrant of the day, the Emeritus bishop, Most Rev. Dr. G.O Ochiagha together with a host of Monsignori, priests, deacons and parishioners who came from various corners of the region to show solidarity and support to the bishop.
The bishop at the beginning of the mass recalled that its been five year since the celebration was brought down to the various regions with aim of coming down and closer to the various parishes within the Region. The bishop however thanked the Dean of the region, Very Rev Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Okonkwo and the entire priests and parishioners for their effort in spreading the faith as he commended St. Michael’s region which has the highest number of priests and religious . He equally appreciated the effort of the various parish councillors, Catechists, CMO,CWO, Lay Readers, Choristers, Mass Servers . Let us ensure that the light of faith handed over to us by the missionaries does not go off, remarked the bishop.
The bishop during the homily highlighted important lessons from his Lenten pastoral titled “ Mercy; A Divine Prerogative and a Human Obligation”. According to the bishop, the booklet projected God as a God whose nature is mercy and love, tracing it from the Old Testament down to the New Testament. The bishop, however urged the priests to use the text for Sunday evening instructions before benediction in their various parishes.
Furthermore, the Bishop quoting St. Thomas Aquinas reminded the faithful that mercy is the greatest of all virtues since all other virtues revolves round it. The bishop therefore remarked that within this year of mercy, we all are obliged to show mercy to those who wronged us. Since God has shown us mercy, all those who are impeded from receiving the sacraments are allowed to come back to the through the sacrament of reconciliation.. The celebration of the extra- ordinary jubilee year of mercy is meant to ensure that all shattered families, societies and nations will welcome this great love and mercy that comes from God.
With regard to the celebration of the day, the bishop explained that the Cathedraticum is a celebration in which various parishes and their priests come together to express that they are working in union with the bishop and the diocese and with the universal Church. The “CUM” means “WITH”, thereby one can say, “I am working with the bishop”. The prelate however urged the faithful to give their full support to the diocese faced with two major challenges; amending the leakages in the Cathedral and preparation for the Catholic bishop conference which will be hosted by the diocese .
Towards the end of the mass, the bishop presented awards to parishes, organizations and individuals who were outstanding in the last year’s Cathedraticum. The results are as follows.
General - 3rd position, St. Michael’s Urualla ; 2nd , St.Andrew’s Umuma-isiaku ; 1ST postion, St. Mary’s Osina. The bishop equally appreciated Sir & Lady Issac Ejezie, Prof S.U Ejezie, Offornagoro family, Mr. Izuchukwu Unaegbule, St. Kizito’s Sec Sch. Umuchima, and St. Theresa’s Arondizuogu from their wonderful support during the last year’s Cathedraticum.

Various Parishes, Schools, individual and organizations thesame day showed support to the bishop by presenting gifts and items. The Dean of St. Michael’s pastoral region, Very Rev Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Okonkwo welcomed and thanked the parish priests and their parishioners for their various contributions toward the diocese, he however wished them safe journey back to their various destinations.

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