ST. BENEDICT’S CATHOLIC PARISH LOKOGOMA, ABUJA CELEBRATES CULTURAL DAY IN GRAND STYLE

The Catholic Church celebrates the Holy Mass as the highest form of the celebration and also organizes her life around a cycle of feasts and remembrances that aim to signify certain times of the year and to regularly call to mind the life of Jesus and the witnesses of Mary and the Saints.

The impact of the liturgical calendar on ordinary lay Catholics varies significantly. Most dates in ordinary time take on special meaning in particular cultures, particularly on the feast days of patron saints.

Saint Benedict as the patron saint of Catholic church Lokogoma, witness a memorable celebration.

St. Benedict was gracious and kind, true to his religious order, and taught us to be sincere and caring, not thinking of ourselves as better than another but rather being concerned for the welfare of others, Pope Benedict XVI 

Rev. Fr. John Sixtus Okonkwo While delivering the homily told the faithful that, God in His wisdom created us in diverse cultures and languages, He made us differently, uniquely but same humanity,  same mission, to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him in this world, and be happy with Him forever in the next.  This mission is well manifested in the way we relate with one another and with God, he said

The prayer of the faithful was said in local language by the children who dress in their cultural attires..

The First Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council and Chairman Feast /cultural day Planning Committee, Sir Francis Nwabueze, welcome the people of various cultures and urge them to continue to leave as one and show love for one another.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of the occasion Chief Anselm Okoro in his keynote address, admonishes parents not to allow their culture to die in their generation. He begs them to Spend sometimes to educate their children, take them through the entire rudiment, the expectations, the dos and dons of their culture.

His Royal Highness Eze Ezeani, performed the traditional rite of breaking the kola nut and prays for peace and progress in families and in Nigeria.

The event witnessed elegance, style, and glamour, every culture was heavily represented, the Parish priest Rev. Fr. John Sixtus Okonkwo, the Associate parish priest, Rev Fr. Boniface Neibo, Rev Fr. Oliver Onah, CSsP  and some Rev sisters shine. 

Cultural dance and delicacies like fura da nono, miyan taushe, miyan kuka, tuwan shinkafa, tuwon masara from the North, Amala, gbegiri, ewedu from the southwest, the South South had Owo soup, starch and banga, plaintain porridge and the South East ofe onugbu, ofe nsala, abacha, fiofio, achicha, ukwa were served.