Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

“Today is the fourth Sunday of Easter, the Good Shepherd Sunday and also Vocation Sunday. We are celebrating 3-fold-celebration and the Church calls upon us to pray vehemently for the authority of the Church and especially Our dear Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV; Cardinals; Bishops; Priests; Deacons and all in government, to give helping hand so that those in authority may lead their flock to rejoicing destination.”

Those were the opening words of Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ikechukwu, CSJ who was the Chief Celebrant at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan on Sunday 11th May 2025.

According to Fr. Ikechukwu, in this present temptation, anxiety and criticism, we need God’s grace; which is very important as seen in the lives of Christ’s disciples; who irrespective of all that the Jews did to them, are always joyful. The priest added that initially the disciples went hiding but after receiving the holy spirit, they became bold. “In any misfortune in life, there is fortune. Nothing in life is an endpoint. Misfortune leads to the spread of the gospel.” Hence, he charged all that in any problem they face, they should be focused like Paul and Barnabas, who listened to the Shepherd and threw their lives away.

Fr. Ikechukwu stated that Christ in the New Testament proclaimed Himself Good Shepherd by outlining these five statements: “I know my sheep and my sheep listen to me; I will save them, grant them eternal life and strengthen them through my blood; No one can take them away from me; I will not allow anyone to get lost and I will lay down my life for my flock.”

Looking at those five qualities, the homilist said Christ is the epitome of Good Shepherd and challenged the parishioners to examine themselves whether they are really Good Shepherd.

The priest condemned the actions of many pastors today who preach good words but cannot practice what they preach but rather overload the flock with load they too cannot carry and enjoined all to be persons of prudent as pastors, fathers and mothers.

Fr. Ikechukwu further challenged parents to be good shepherd to their children by ensuring they do not use social media gadgets wrongly because our system in Africa has no control like it is done in developed countries.

The Chief Celebrant also admonished the faithful to always pray for their priests as he said many are suffering inside them, some have turned from shepherd to lion and same challenges apply to mothers and fathers who have roles but cannot maintain same, rather, what we have is divorce.

At the day’s Mass, the family of Late Pa Timothy Oyempemi, led by Mrs Agnes Oyempemi had thanksgiving to God for completing one year mourning period. The family was joined by the parishioners in thanking God.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun appreciated the Josephite’s priest for accepting to celebrate the day’s Mass in the parish.