On December 1, 2017, Bishop Augustine Ukwuoma led the groundbreaking and the stone laying ceremony of TRINITAS UNIVERSITY of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu at the main campus site, KM 20, Owerri/Onitsha Road, Awo-Omamma, Imo State, Nigeria. This welcome project is designed to provide high quality and accessible Catholic higher education for students. Learn how you can be part of this historic project.
We take the Church's urgent call for the fostering of vocations as a value we treasure highly (Pope Paul VI, Decree on Priestly Training Optatam Totus, n.2). Across the diocese, there are many programs designed for this purpose. We begin with the family and get everyone to think of their unique vocations in the sacraments of service—ordained and religious life, and married life. Be part of this great call to foster vocations in the diocese.
Most weekends of the year, the bishop pays a pastoral visit to parishes and institutions within the Diocese of Orlu. It is an opportunity for the bishop to be with the people, listen to them and offer his pastoral services. To learn when the bishop would be visiting your parish or institution, please click the link below.
With total submission to the will of God we regret to announce the death of Rev. Fr. Kenneth Ezeala which occurred on the early hours of September 2, 2020.
Burial Mass: September 14, 2020
Time: 10am
Venue: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Orlu.
Until his death, Fr. Kenneth Ezeala was the parish priest of St. John Parish Okohia, Isiekenesi. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.
Solemn Dedication of OUR LADY, QUEEN OF PEACE CHAPEL
THIS DAY, 28TH AUGUST 2020 AT THE SACRED HEART PARISH PASTORAL CENTRE, ORLU
BISHOP'S MESSAGE:
INTRODUCTION
My brothers and sisters, I write to welcome you in a very special way to the solemn dedication of our newly renovated chapel named; Our Lady, Queen of peace Chapel. Today my joy is inestimable as it is for me a dream come true. The plans of yesterday have become the reality of today. As the renovated project has come to a completion and is being dedicated today, I say: To God be all the glory.
The words of the scripture captures the joyful moment of this day “Behold among men, the dwelling place of God (2 Cor. 6:16). This joy knows no bound as we have indeed gathered to solemnly dedicate this chapel as a place of worship, of prayers, of adoration in line with the words of the Psalmist: “it is good to give you praise O Lord”. (Psalm 92)
THE NEED FOR RENOVATION
Interestingly, life has continued to evolve and man has also adjusted and adapted to this culture of improvement on what is. This change can be seen structurally in the renovative developments of buildings like hospitals, malls, churches, etc. In response to the constant demand for change by these structures, there has always been the need to subscribe to the idea of a maintenance culture; not allowing these structures, especially church structures to decay in our hands but renovating, refurbishing and to a higher extent, giving the taste and touch that befits the magnificent and awesome nature of God.
ALONG THE LINE OF HISTORY
This chapel fully renovated and is being dedicated today was built by our great patriarch, the Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Gregory Ochiagha here at the Sacred Heart Pastoral centre to serve as a centre of worship for individuals and organizations who would use the pastoral centre for their activities. It served its purpose over the years but as years went by, the need for change and renovation kept begging for a response in the latter years.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND RESPONSE:
As the thought or idea for a renovation deepened, the greatest challenge became how to get the finance to speed up the renovation. Interestingly, when I travelled and had my First Orlu Diocesan Priests convention in Atlanta U.S.A in July 2019, I appealed to our diocesan Priests on the need to give our pastoral centre chapel a befitting taste and touch by way of renovation. They joyfully welcomed the idea and took it upon themselves to raise 70% of the fund needed for the renovation of this chapel. As the wind of change blew, it attracted other Orlu Diocesan priests in Diaspora (UK, Canada, Italy,) who made modest contribution towards the realization of this project. Worthy to mention are Mr. & Mrs. Malachy and Dorathy Nwabuo who donated the altar, lectern and credence table, Engr. Dr. Ben Ekwueme who donated the pews and Chief Obinna Awoh and family who provided the mass box for this chapel. May God bless you all and reward you a hundredfold. By the special grace of God, this became a renovative project began 24th Nov. 2019 and successfully completed 24th July 2020. Indeed, what an awesome God!!!
THE NAME: “OUR LADY, QUEEN OF PEACE” CHAPEL.
There is something in a name and often times, certain ideas are conceptualized by our involvement in history and our ability to allow this history impact meaningfully into our lives. The idea of having this renovated chapel after our blessed Virgin Mary as “Our Lady, Queen of Peace” came up as I recall from my childhood, growing up as a boy during the Biafra war to witness vengeful wars and hostilities that characterized that age and how ready people were to make troubles especially killings. Even after the war, I continued to experience vengeful anger, hatred, uncontrollable rancour among families, organisations, etc, indeed it was a world in lack of peace. People lived and acted in line with the Roman adage which says; “if you want peace, prepare for war”(Si vis pacem, para bellum). At this point, it became clear to me that the world can be a better place when we begin to welcome peace into our hearts, not just the peace of the world but that peace that comes from God alone. This speaks volume to all men and women that no matter the amount of money you have, the academic exploits you have made and other achievements of life, you still need an inner peace of mind.
REITERATING RENOVATIVE PURPOSE
The chapel, once more, has experienced a classic touch that upon entry, one deeply feels the presence of God. It serves as a worship centre and the central point here at the sacred Heart Pastoral centre. A special place to pray and commune deeply with God; to allow God speak silently to our hearts. A place to experience the magnificent and omnipotent power of God and just like Solomon did at the completion of the temple, we also pray “May whoever comes into this chapel to pray, oh Lord, be granted his or her hearts' desires.
MY APPEAL
I will like remind you, dear brothers and sisters, that as we have gathered here today to solemnly dedicate this chapel, we are not only dedicating this structure but spiritually dedicating ourselves to God. It is my belief that just as this chapel experienced a renovation in its structural development, so we all may experience remarkable changes in our lives and activities. It is my wish that the celebration of today makes us better individuals before the God we worship and the society we belong to. We are indeed the temples of God. May we act accordingly and never allow the vanities of this world, hatred and rancor in the world today to deprive us of our inner peace. May our Lady, the Queen of peace, continue to intercede for us.
Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma
28th August 2020
Feast of St. Augustine.
Photos from the dedication of Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Center Orlu.
Mass of dedication of Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel Sacred Heart Pastoral center Orlu by His Lordship Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma
Mass of dedication of Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel Sacred Heart Pastoral center Orlu
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