Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

Ibadan Archdiocesan Board of Church Wardens was at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan for its meeting on Sunday 29th June, 2025. This took place the same Sunday the Church celebrated two great apostles of Jesus Christ, Ss Peter and Paul.

The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun welcomed the visitors and the parishioners to the day’s celebration, which was also the last Sunday in the month of June. “We welcome all of you from near and far; those that have known this place and those coming for the first time. We need to encourage ourselves. Hence, don’t be comfortable in your comfort zones. Visit other places too, and know how those places are.” The Chief Celebrant urged.

Rev. Fr. Balogun challenged all on how they are encouraging faith in their various parishes, looking at the two great apostles being celebrated. “We celebrate Saints Peter and Paul today. Peter was put in prison but the Lord set him free. You cannot talk of commitment and dedication without them. Though different people with different background, they used all their talents to encourage faith.” He noted.

Going further, the priest stated that nobody is useless, unless one makes him/herself useless. He recalled a Corps Member that once attended the parish and how he would be in the Church for cleaning but would not do anything; instead, he would be going round making others do the work through encouragement. He therefore called on the congregation to examine what gift or talent each has and how such gift or talent is being put to use.

The parish priest described the duties of the Church Wardens as not being easy because many get insulted, looked down upon, being avoided or being disobeyed, even as he added that some Church Wardens too, are sometimes wicked out of provocation from their homes. “It is not easy, many of them are managing. Most times they want things to go well but we are the ones frustrating them. The Church urges you to go on, don’t give up.” The priest admonished.

The homilist noted too, that it was good having the board’s meeting on the day Saints Peter and Paul were being celebrated, who after being insulted, they would still go back to the mission. Hence, he charged them to be happy, avoid unnecessary recognition or being too rigid with law but be smart, open minded, avoid distracting dresses for they are going to meet people of different faith in the course of performing their duties.

The priest appealed to members of the board to correct in love to avoid losing people. “Moderation is what the Church is asking for. The role God has given to us is to behave like Ss Peter and Paul in the faith. Try to listen to feedback about yourself. Be more committed and God will continue to bless you.” He prayed.

Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun also appreciated the children that took part in the liturgy. He was particularly impressed by the participation of some young ones from St. Gregory, Moniya who joined the choir, even though they came to the parish for different mission entirely. He said such is what the Church wants, encouraging the young ones to start doing something in the Church and when they become adults, it will be a normal thing for them. He admonished parents to encourage “catch them young” in their various parishes.

Fr. Balogun, who is also the CAN Coordinator in Ona Ara LGA of Oyo State later invited the Board’s Executives, led by Mrs Christianah Folorunso of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke – Ado, Ibadan for introduction. He appreciated all the members of Board of Church Wardens, urging them to manage the Parish’s facilities while their stay lasted.

The Board of Church Wardens also had a thanksgiving as well as supported the parish’s proposed project with a token before going for its meeting after the Mass, where the Board was welcomed into the parish by the Parish’s Acting Laity President, Mr Felix Oretu.

The Board of Church Wardens of Ibadan Archdiocese, no doubt, had a nice stay in the parish.