LAYING OF FOUNDATION: DIVINE PROVIDENCE ORPHANAGE AND HANDICAP HOME URUALLA-NIGERIA, 17-08-2010 by Most Rev.Dr. Hilary OKEKE and Most Rev. Dr. Gregory OCHIAGHA
THE REMARKABLE PASTORAL VISIT AT URUALLA
IN NIGERIA
BY THE TWO GREAT ICONS OF THE CHURCH
It is a pleasant remarkable event to recognise in the land of Urualla in Orlu Diocese that the TWO GREAT ICONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH in the personalities of the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilary Odili OKEKE and Rt Rev. Dr. Gregory Obinna OCHIAGHA (Bishop Emeritus of Orlu Diocese) visited the land of Urualla in Imo State on the 17th August 2010 for the laying of the foundation stone of theDivine Providence Orphanage and Handicap Home-(DIPOH) initiated by Rev. Sr. Anne-Marie UMEH from the Missionary’s of Mary, Messenger of Love (MMML).
During the occasion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilary Odili OKEKE who precisely officiated the ceremony (laying of the foundation stone) prayed and handed over the ongoing establishment of the orphanage and handicap home to God Almighty and our Lady of Divine Providence, and called to mind that it is in the name of the Lord that the orphanage will be built for, and it is with the strength of God that will be used for the building of the orphanage. He quoted the scripture by saying that “If God do not build, in vain do the builders build”.
More also during the ceremony Rt Rev. Dr. Gregory Obinna OCHIAGHA, joyfully thanked the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese for the sacrifices he made by forfeiting some other pastoral engagements in his Diocese and honoured the invitation of the laying of the foundation stone of the Orphanage and handicap home at Urualla in Orlu Diocese. He proclaimed that such visit made by Bishop Hilary Odiri OKEKE to Urualla in Orlu Diocese does not mean that he is a visitor as such; hence it is a matter concerning the Church for the Church of Christ is one.The Bishop Emeritus of Orlu equally congratulated Rev. Sr. Anne-Marie (the founder of DIPOH) who has a mission for the betterment of the less privileged in our Society and called to mind that such her mission is worthy to emulate by all the Christian faithful.
On the other hand, Bishop Emeritus of Orlu Diocese also congratulated Rev. Fr. Major G.I UKOH (from Awka Diocese) who is helping Sr. Anne-Marie for co-ordinating the activities of the orphans and caring for them. He equally congratulated Rev. Fr. Desmond EDOZIE, the Parish Priest of QUEEN OF APOSTLES CATHOLIC PARISH UMUAGO URUALLA who welcomed them on their arrival to the Parish house and later took them to the orphanage site.
During the closing ceremony, the founder of DIPOH thanked the two icons of the Church that attended the ceremony especially the Bishop Emeritus of Orlu Diocese who strongly supported her initiative of founding the orphanage during his tenure as a Bishop of Orlu Diocese till date.
She also thanked her Mother General; Mère Marie-PIERRE for consenting her intention of founding the orphanage in her Country (Nigeria). Sr. Anne-Marie UMEH before all people proclaimed that the building of the Orphanage is entrusted to “OUR LADY OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE” who has been providing for her all these while… She equally beckons for the financial support of men and women of goodwill irrespective of race, tribe, culture or religion for the building of the orphanage home. For in one of her anthems, it states: “My child, my house is yours, enter if you need a shelter. Forget about your Country, Race, Continent, or Religion, no discrimination, LOVE is the head of my house. -Mon enfant, ma maison c’est ta maison. Rentre si tu a besoin d’un abri. Rentre sans tenir compte de ton pays, Race, Continent ou ta Religion, pas de discrimination. L’AMOUR est le chef de ma maison » (Sr. Anne-Marie UMEH)
From all indication, one could righly understand with me that what is good is quite emulating and quite appreciated. God in his Divine love is using men and women of goodwill, people who are willing to undertake the task of evangelization to glorify His Holy name. I am strongly believe that whenever we open ourselves for undertaking the task to evangelize, God will never leave us unrewarded. For he promised us that whenever we cultivate in his vain yard, He too will cultivate in ours and whenever we proclaim him before people He will also glorify us in heaven in the presence of all the angels.
Finally, I want to use this opportunity to encourage all the Christian faithful to undertake in serving the Lord through helping the less privileged in our society. I believe when we do that, we store treasures in heaven.
By: Augustine EKEH (Nigerian)
From: St. Paul's international institute of Evangelization, Emene-Enugu State.
Email: ekehrun@yahoo.com