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We thank God for his love, mercies and protections thus far, most especially on the feats achieved within the work-frame of evangelization drive in St. Joseph Catholic Church Randa, Ogbomoso. On 25th July, 2021, the first official mass was celebrated on the church’s ground in Eleesun-Adeosun, Orire Local Government Area, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by Rev. Fr. Sylvester Odurinde. This was as a result of tenacity and the zeal of the evangelization team and the parish priest of the above named parish to foster the proclamation of the gospel of Christ as he enjoined his disciples in the gospel of Matthew.

In his homily, Fr. Odurinde expressed his gratitude to the people of Eleesun for their formidable disposition to the Word of God that has been brought to their door-steps. He noted that “prior to the founding of the Catholic Church in the town, the Baptist and Christ Apostolic church were already in existence. The Catholic Church has never surface in the land ever since the community areas were in existence more than one hundred years ago.And so, with the ardent zeal of the people of God, the church has come to stay in the town.” He also expressed his joy on the success of the ongoing church building project.Speaking on the day’s liturgy, Fr. Odurinde sieved out the virtues displayed by the Jesus in the Gospel passage of the day (John 6:1-15). He emphasized that Jesus was empathetic not just sympathetic. In essence, “it is not just about having a sense of feeling towards other people’s needs or troubles, but to awake the spiritual, physical and emotional dispositions towards other people.” It is in this that the ideal humanness in us is expressed and the smile on other faces enlivens our spirits also.

Nevertheless, this cannot be achieved without a proper formation of the mind. Hence, we must not underate the power of God and the instrumentality of men in the mission of Christ. This is because there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God who is father of all…” (Ephesians 4:6). And so, anyone who comes to the Lord in the truth of heart and mind, with a spirit of obedience and service… “will eat and have some left over”… (2 Kings 4:43) in all ramifications.

After the homily, there was baptism of eight children and prayers over the new converts in the church. To this end, after the eucharistic liturgy, the Catechist, thanked God for his love thus far and expressed his thanks also to the parish priest for his assiduous efforts towards the proclamation of the Gospel. In the same vein, Mrs. Roseline Odesola, the C.W.O President of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo encouraged the new members emphatically the women to strive for understanding in the new path they have taken. She promised that the C.W.O would continue to make efforts to assist them in whatever it can.

Speaking on behalf of the people, Mr. Adegun Kehinde (native convert) tendered his appreciation to God and the parish priest for his efforts thus far. He also thanked the team of evangelizers for their selflessness to the Word of God. He assured that the Catholic Church would thrive in the land of Eleesun in the mind and body of all the people.

 

After the mass, the was visitation to the people and inspection of the church of the project. At the close of the celebration, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Odurinde thankedthe Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo for his fatherly supports. He also appreciated the efforts of the Vicar General very Rev Father Dr Francis Oladiipo. He pointed out that in a bid to make our presence in the areas felt and be strong new church building has commenced on a newly acquired land purchased by the Diocese in the community. He also thanked the donors, the Divine Mercy Prayer Group of Saint Agnes Catholic Church Concord City California USA who facilitated the church building project.