Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

Thanksgiving to God has been described as an investment in the future. The Assistant Cathedral Administrator of St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke-Padi, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin stated this while officiating during 2026 Children/Students/Youth Harvest Thanksgiving at Seat of Wisdom Chaplaincy, University of Ibadan on Sunday, 13th September 2026.

Fr. Fasakin, who was joined at the Eucharistic celebration by the Assistant Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Peter Jemibor, opined that God never begs as He is not in need of anything but that our own thanksgiving is a gift to God.

In his homily, he said he was happy celebrating Mass with fellow students of the institution, adding that we give because we are good persons; because of God, who made man in His image and likeness; because He is the first to give life and because God is love. Hence, we give out of love not to get back. “We have not come to give because we are good but because we have God who is love.”

Recalling the account of beatitudes as read the previous Wednesday, Fr. Fasakin noted that everyone is blessed, rich or poor and that the difference is in the attitude of gratitude that leads to generosity.

To the students of the institution, the priest charged them to know that their first responsibility is gratitude, hence, Mass itself is thanksgiving.

Drawing the attention of all to the day’s readings, especially, the Gospel reading on forgiveness, the Chief Celebrant stated that our thanksgiving today is little compared to God’s mercy over us. “To forgive is to give something away. When we forgive, we imitate God who is merciful. We should also be grateful. By harvest thanksgiving we acknowledged what we have is not the product of our labour. Let us not be like that ungrateful servant that receives but not give. You may not have money but you can give your time, encouragement and your service to the growth of the Church.” Fr. Fasakin noted.

The homilist enjoined all thus: “While we are here, many are suffering somewhere. We should therefore realize how much God has done for us. We should not give God in hard way. Every thanksgiving is an investment in future.” He said.

There were series of thanksgivings by different categories of groups which later concluded by the officiating priests thanksgiving.

Rev. Fr. Peter Jemibor, on behalf of the Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Omolade and the parishioners appreciated the Chief Celebrant for coming to celebrate the harvest thanksgiving in the Community and for his words of encouragement.

Celebration of the children continued after the Mass within the Church premises with a lot of fun, games, refreshment and so on and so forth.

The 2026 Harvest Planning Committee expressed gratitude to all for a wonderful celebration of the harvest.