The recently ordained priest of Josephite’s Community, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Opoku, CSJ has described Christmas Day as a joyful moment for all Christians. The priest stated this during Christmas Vigil Mass, which incidentally happened to be his first Mass in the parish after his priestly ordination on 5th October, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Ejisu, Krapa by Most Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Konongo-Mampong.

The Chief Celebrant, who was ordained Deacon at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Oyo State by Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin on 27th January, 2024; stated at the Mass introduction thus: “Today is a joyful day for us. Today we have come to celebrate the beginning of our salvation. Today is a joyful moment for you and I, let us be happy in our life.”

Concelebrating the Mass with Fr. Opoku were the Josephite’s Superior in Ogbere area, Rev. Fr. Justine Adeka, CSJ, Rev. Fr. Arnaud Aniou, CSJ and the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun.

The homilist at the Mass, Fr. Aniou also described the day as a great night in which our God came among us as Man. He listed three sets of people that encountered the new born Saviour thus: The Inn-keeper, King Herod and the Shepherds and asked the congregation to identify who among the three they are by their characters.

He added that Christ has to be born in our heart. “For four weeks, we have prepared and now He is here. How do we welcome Him? Only in the Church? It is better in our houses by loving God and our brothers and sisters.” Fr. Aniou said love summarizes all other commandments. “To love is easy? No. Possible? Yes.” He admonished all to live out their professed faith for Christ is here to help us.

A special thanksgiving led by the Chief Celebrant also took place, while he in turn also expressed his appreciation to all, being his first Mass in the parish after his priestly ordination.

Similarly, during the Christmas Day Mass which had Fr. Adeka as the Chief Celebrant with the other three priests concelebrating, the parish priest, Fr. Balogun in his homily admonished the parishioners to always appreciate the gift of their lives. “The celebration is for us, the glory is for God. Only those that are alive will drink 5-alive. Christmas itself is a gift of God, God became man, let us build a community of love” Fr. Balogun said.

The parish priest later appreciated the Josephite’s priests for their regular assistance to the parish.