Daniel UGWO

The attention of the Parish Pastoral Council, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife has been drawn to a culture that is fast growing in the Church during Mass and other programmes. While some Catholics find it convenient to sleep inside the Church during Mass, others are comfortable pressing their phones or sneaking and rushing out of the Church to receive calls during Mass or while prayer is going on. The PPC however frowns at this culture while encouraging frequent sensitization and discipline during religious activities.

Further, in response to the observation, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr (Dr) Peter Adeyemi considers such action as a sign of 'lack of presence of mind.' He defined presence of mind as the ability to think clearly and make rational decisions, especially in challenging or emergency situations. Additionally, "it also refers to the quality in an individual who is conscious of his words, thinking process, actions and environment at every point in time; which is the opposite of mental weakness - according to him." He educated that presence of mind is an indispensable factor for human survival and success in life.

Calmness; which is the ability to remain unperturbed and composed under pressure was enlisted by the parish priest among the characteristics of presence of mind. Others includes: Clarity and Quick thinking. He remarked that those who lack presence of mind can easily be exposed to unforeseen occurrences such as kidnapping, exit from place of work, preventable accident, loss in business among others. These, according to him is because they cannot survive for long in this world. Father Adeyemi added that, while presence of mind is essential for physical survival, there is also need for spiritual growth and sustenance in life of grace. He worries that many Christians are careless about presence of mind when it involves spiritual activities, except when facing difficulty and when praying for miracles.

Fr Adeyemi who discouraged routine-chat on social media while religious worship is going on, identified lack of presence of mind among reasons why many pray without receiving answer to their prayers. He however encouraged Christians to always prepare their minds for action, keep sober spirit, fix their hope completely on the grace to be brought to them at the revelation of Jesus Christ.