EFFURUN-HOLY Trinity Parish Kosini recently played host to Most Rev. John Oke’Oghene Afareha, Bishop of Warri Diocese, Nigeria as he embarks on a one day pastoral visit to the parish where he also confirmed 170 candidates.
The bishop was received by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Okpowodu and Engr. Paul Ndigwe at St. Monica Mass Centre on behalf of the parish to officially open the new church building at the Mass Centre for worship.
The bishop with the parish Priest Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Okpowodu and the parishioners later moved to the main parish station before processing from the old Holy Trinity Church building to the new edifice where the bishop blessed and officially declared it open for worship.
Most Rev. Afareha who was pleased by the efforts of the parishioners in ensuring the growrh of the parish later congratulated the parish priest, Rev. Fr Thaddeus Okpowodu and his associate, Rev. Fr. Peter Dedekuma and the entire parishioners for their earnest cooperation and support to the church.
He admonished all parishioners to adopt the virtues of the Holy Trinity and do the trinitarian work. He also welcomed the candidates for confirmation both from St. Paul’s parish Odion and Holy Trinity Kosini parish Kosini and expressed gratitude for their desire to be officially enlisted as soldiers of the church and Christ.
He further disclosed that all became Christians through the sacrament of Baptism, the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of Confirmation. He said the sacrament of confirmation makes one an adult of the church and soldier of Christ, noting that the Holy Spirit does not only make one strong but also empowers one to be a perfect Christian.
Stressing that a Christian who is yet to receive the sacrament of confirmation could not be regarded as a full Christian, he maintained that confirmation makes us to hold the traditional way of Catholic worship with pride and joy.
The bishop prayed to God to infuse the blessing of the Holy Trinity into all Christian faithful. The Local Ordinary who was overwhelmed by the number of candidates to be confirmed, expressed joy and gratitude to the family of Holy Trinity Catholic Church Kosini and St. Paul’s parish Odion disclosing that it is the first time he was visiting the parish for confirmation since its creation. He assured them of his continuos prayers and commended them into the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.