On January 1, 2025, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish, Omuma, experienced a momentous and spiritually enriching event as the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma, visited the parish for his pastoral mission and to bless the new Marian Grotto which was single-handedly built and donated to the parish by the executive governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma. Under the guidance of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Uchenna Onwuanumkpe, the parish community warmly welcomed the chief shepherd in a celebration that radiated vibrant faith and communal unity.
The day began with a solemn Holy Mass at 9 a.m., presided over by Bishop Ukwuoma. The faithful, filled with reverence and anticipation, gathered to participate in the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Bishop Ukwuoma illuminated the significance of the Ozioma dance, performed before the Gospel reading, as a symbol of the Gospel’s transformative power. He reflected on how the Word of God dispelled the darkness of idolatry, eradicated harmful practices such as the killing of twins, and brought enlightenment through education and salvation.
He emphasized the importance of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated that day.“Mary is the Mother of God—a dogmatic truth upheld by the Church,” the bishop declared. He encouraged the congregation to emulate Mary’s virtues, including her purity of heart and her nurturing care for all Christians. He reminded the faithful that Catholics honor Mary as a powerful intercessor but do not worship her.
A highlight of the day was the Sacrament of Confirmation, administered to 116 candidates. Prior to the ceremony, the bishop engaged the candidates in a catechetical discussion, commending their knowledge and readiness to embrace their Christian responsibilities. With profound reverence, he conferred the Holy Spirit upon them through the laying on of hands and the anointing with chrism, marking a pivotal moment in their spiritual journey.
Adding to the day’s joy, the prelate gave plaudits to some outstanding candidates and Basic Catholic Communities (BCC). Among the candidates, Mbiamnozie Kizito clinched the first position, while Obi Emmanuel and Chukwu Emmanuel claimed the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. Among the stations, St. Matthew BCC claimed the 1st position, followed by St. Raphael BCC and St. Michael’s BCC. Their accomplishments were celebrated with applause and admiration.
After the Mass, Rev. Fr. Uchenna Onwuanumkpe expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for the event’s success. He thanked Bishop Ukwuoma for his pastoral presence and for administering the sacrament, while also acknowledging the parishioners’ active participation and dedication. He also thanked Gov. Hope Uzodimma in absentia for his benevolence to the parish. He stated that the governor single-handedly built and donated the Grotto to the parish to enhance the faith and devotion of the parishioners.
In a touching moment, the parishioners presented gifts to the bishop as tokens of their love and respect. In return, Bishop Ukwuoma expressed his gratitude for their warm hospitality and urged them to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to the Church.The celebration concluded with the blessing of a newly built grotto which was donated by Gov. Hope Uzodimma, followed by a joyful photo session with the Bishop and parishioners.
This remarkable pastoral visit will forever be cherished by the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish community as a day of spiritual renewal, faith enrichment, and communal celebration.
