Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Archdiocese of Ibadan Pastoral Agents consisting of Catechists and Sunday School Teachers have joined the celebration of Jubilee Year of Hope worldwide with a 3-day programmes that started on Friday 26th and ended on Sunday 28th September 2025, organized by the Directorate of Religious Education in the Archdiocese.

Day-1 of the celebration witnessed pilgrimage to Our Lady Queen of Victress Shrine, Schoenstatt, Ijokodo (one of the designated Pilgrimage Centres by Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin), where there was a retreat with the theme ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’ and facilitated by Rev. Fr. Christian Dansuma Opanachi.

The first day’s programmes commenced with Rosary prayer led by Catechist Michael Ndubusi to prepare the group spiritually for the day’s talk in which the Retreat Master commenced by commending Pastoral Agents in the Archdiocese for their efforts in their various parishes in the liturgical celebrations and other programmes. He added that no amount of money can be paid to them to commensurate with their services in the Church as trainers of both clergy and lay faithful.

Fr. Opanachi defined Jubilee Year as a time of rejoicing and celebration and Holy year of renewal and liberation. He added that the Church Militant as Pilgrims of Hope are journeying somewhere, not yet get there but will not be tired.

The Retreat Master who gave three types of hope as proximate, ultimate and resonate hope; enjoined the group to see themselves not as people of empty promise, for they have hope of resurrection. He described Hope as an anchor that makes the faithful stand firm; no matter the storm. “Hope becomes an anchor for our souls. Hope will fill our hearts with peace because we put our trust in the Prince of Peace.” He submitted.

The Facilitator enjoined the Pastoral Agents to meditate on all the children they’ve taught who are now priests or sisters and admonished that when they hear comments of such children, they should not take them for granted. “Don’t look down on yourselves but praise God for you are treasures.”

The priest charged the group to see time of Jubilee as a year to renew themselves. “You may make mistake of working for the Master without having contact with the Master. You are not just to lead others to God but even to lead yourselves to God.” He advised.

The cleric urged the group to regularly read their Bible, be with the Lord in adoration, have faith in the Master, avoid vices, be forgiving, maintain good family; which is their first ministry, increase their passion for the Master, not allowing pride to take over them and avoid looking down on their priests, even though they taught some of them catechism. “Honour your priests, you are not the parish priest; don’t make yourself one. Don’t announce the nakedness of your priests; clergy are also Militants, struggling, else, you may destroy the faith of the children and make them become something else tomorrow.” The priest stated.

Fr. Opanachi also admonished the Pastoral Agents to do the best they could as collaborators or else, they work against the priests, Church and Christ; who is the Head. He advised them to be careful of what they say, where they go and to take care of their homes, for if their families are fine, the Church will be fine.

There was exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration and sacramental confession after which the day’s programmes were closed with a Holy Mass celebrated by the Retreat Master.

On the second day, the group gathered at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke-Ado and engaged in fitness walk along Liberty road through Ososami road and concluded with fitness exercises led by Mrs Q. Awofusi. Thereafter, Catechists Olubola Odeleye and Margaret Ige delivered health talks in which the group was further educated on necessary health tips that can keep them fit and prevent their children from spending too much money on preventable sicknesses as they said prevention is better and cheaper than cure.

The second day’s activities were concluded with Deanery Quiz Competition that concluded thus: Oke Padi 64(1st), Bodija 50(2nd), Oke Ado 35(3rd), Oke Offa 32(4th), Mokola and Oluyole 16(5th), Ikire 14.5(7th) and Igboora 5(8th). Prizes were presented to the three leading Deaneries by the Director of Religious Education in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Clement Emerue.

The final day was for thanksgiving, reception and presentation of awards to Jubilarians Catechists and some School School’s Teachers. Also, Meritorious Service Awards for some of the Catechists as well as past Directors, namely: Rev. Sr. Mary Assumpta, SSMA (Now Director of DRE, Oyo Diocese); Rev. Fr. O’Hea (Pass on the Faith); Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade (Now Pastoral Secetary) and Msgr J.K. Idowu.

The Director of DRE in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Clement Emerue was the Chief Celebrant while Rev. Frs: Linus Emeka and Stephen Nwabuike concelebrated with the assistance of Bro Matthew Ugwu. The homilist, Fr. Nwabuike admonished all to learn from the day’s gospel reading (LK 16:19-31) which warned against extravagant life without caring for others in need and know that there is wisdom in sharing whatever we have with love.

It was funs all through during the reception after the thanksgiving Mass with speeches delivered by the Director, Fr. Emerue, Sr. Mary Assumpta, SSMA; and the Host Parish Priest, Fr. Ekene.

Fr. Emerue welcomed all on behalf of the Archbishop. “I bring you warm regards from His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel 'Leke Abegunrin who is unavoidably absent as a result of his liturgical involvement in the thanksgiving Mass of the Olubadan of Ibadan. He has asked me to lead this occasion on his behalf.”

Going further, the Director remarked thus: “The Jubilee year celebration tagged jubilee of hope is to awaken all Catholics all over the world to continue against all odds to strive for an unalloyed faith and hope in the midst of strife and a world of hopelessness in the social political and economic spheres of our lives.”

Fr. Emerue challenged the Pastoral Agents not to be discouraged as he encouraged them thus: “A day like this is a reminder to each an everyone of us to reflect more deeply on our vocation as catechists, Sunday school teachers and religious Educators......ours is a call, a call to serve without counting the cost, to give ourselves without anticipating a reward except that of life eternal as Christ our master taught us.”

The Director congratulated the Jubilarians and especially Catechist henry Nwosu, who is also unveiling his book during the celebration. “I also on this August occasion congratulate our Jubilarians who will also be specially recognized today.  We are proud to mention that one of the Jubilarians in the person of Catechist Henry Nwosu authored a book to mark his silver jubilee, before we bring our celebration to a close we shall be inviting him for the book presentation.”

 

 

 

 

The Pastoral Agents on their part also appreciated the Director, Fr. Emerue with a gift, in recognition of his efforts since his assumption of office as the Director.

One of the Jubilarians, Late Catechist Christiana Oyewole was also remembered with a minute silence; even as another Jubilarian, Catechist Henry Nwosu presented to the public a Revised Edition of his book “My Prayer Companion.”

The celebration was concluded with cutting of the cake, merriment making and dancing to make the event a memorable one.

‘Pastoral Agents!!! Go Teach the Nation.’