Peter Esanmah

Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Okonta, CSJ has on Sunday, 18th May 2025 said that the signature of a Christian is love. The Gospel reading of the day, according to Fr. Nathaniel didn’t just describe a moment in time. “It described a spiritual atmosphere—the moment when the light of friendship dims, when love is tested, when someone you trusted walks away from you. And it’s in that moment, that Jesus chose to speak about love.  Not resentment. Not fear. Not defense. But love. The love that comes after disappointment. Love one another as I have loved you.” We hear this often, and because of that, we risk hearing it superficially. The priest tasked all to think of the context.

Fr Nathaniel said Jesus’ love for all has been constant, tender, merciful, and sacrificial. And that is the model, that is the invitation, and that is the measure. This commandment is not about trying harder to be nice. It is a call to be transformed—to become a person through whom His love lives in the world. Love is the mark that matters most. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus gives us a kind of signature—the unmistakable mark of a real Christian. Not our rosaries, not our theology, not even our liturgies—however beautiful.

Fr Nathaniel asked a simple question thus: Do I love like that? Personally: Do you love like Jesus? In your family—do your words build up or tear down? In your marriage—do you love when it’s inconvenient? In your parish—do you welcome those who are different, or just tolerate them? In your own heart—do you let love lead, even when no one is watching? The priest concluded by saying, this is how saints are made. Not by great achievements, but by simple lives surrendered to love.

After the Mass the laity election was conducted by the Archdiocesan Laity Vice President and his entourage and the following people emerged as the new Laity Executives of the parish: Mr Samuel Esanmah – President; Mr Matthew Omeh – Vice President; Mrs Patience Elemide – Secretary; Miss Precious Paul - Assistant Gen. Secretary; Mrs Cecilia Komolafe – Treasurer; Mrs Rita Esanmah - Financial Secretary; Mr Michael – PRO; and Mr Anthony Esanmah - Provost