THE SILVER JUBILEE:
Sacred Heart Parish, Aka Offot in Retrospect
By Ignatius Ibanga.
Sacred Heart Parish, Aka Offot in Retrospect
By Ignatius Ibanga.
It was a Sunday, the 6th day of December, 2015 and it was the 339 day of the 365 days in the year. On this day, the cosmic phenomenal that facilitates the operation of the earth’s continuum took its course as usual and the day was not different from any other day except for dryness of the weather characterized by time and season. Like most other days, the 6th of December breaks uniquely with the eastern sunrise colourfully emerging from its nasal cliff, yellow-like and beautifully revealing the magnificent of creation.
Taking its natural slow course, the morning sunrise which announced the day unfolded in a splendid way nature’s fullness and awakes all creations to their respective activity. Plants, grass and animal all responded to the call of the sunrise –the progenitor of life’s activity. Human beings, the king of them all rejoices for the gift of yet another beautiful day, the dawn of life.
The 6th of December 2015 was different for many in different areas. In Syria, a series of air strikes in Syria’s Raqqa Province, believed to be carried out by U.S led coalition war planes, leave at least 32 Islamic State fighters killed and 40 more wounded. In Finland, the Finland Government announced plan to give all its citizens, rich or poor, a monthly payment of €800, with no strings attached. The Finnish Government says it wants to launch a “universal basic income experiment” in 2017 to test the feasibility of this programme.
However, in Aka Offot, Sacred Heart Parish in particular, Sunday 6th December 2015 marked a very special day in the life of this unique Catholic Community. The people roll out drums to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the creation of their parish 25 years ago.
Silver jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 25th anniversary. Jubilee from the Christian perspective is a special year for the remission of sins and universal pardon. Silver jubilee commemorate great event that occurred two and half decades ago. It is an immemorial and thanksgiving for the journey of 25 years when one look back on the strides and achievements over the years and considers the humble beginning like the journey of a million mile.
As at 7.00am, Sacred Heart parishioners, friends and other Christian faithful had started to troop into the Church compound. Red potentially announced its dominance as the colour of the day. This was evidence by the parish uniform don by many parishioners.
As traditional of every Catholic celebration, the event was preceded by a Holy Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Uyo, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. John Ebebe Ayah, the host parish priest, Very Rev.Fr. Dr. Donatus Udoette and the first indigenous priest of Aka Offot Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbaba concelebrated with the Bishop along with other priests. The high point of the celebration was the Jubilee Award Ceremony conferred on some distinguished individuals. Among them: the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Arc. Obong Victor Attah; former Deputy Speaker of AKHA, Hon. Uwem Udoma; Dr. Henry Akpan, Rtd Permanent Secretary at Presidency, Abuja; Engr. Oliver Ebong, a businessman, construction consultant, philanthropist and CEO of Olkem Nigeria Ltd; Prof. (Mrs.) Margaret-Mary Okon, Deputy Dean, Post Graduate School, University of Calabar; Sir Lawrence Effiong, Director of Finance/Account, AKBC, Uyo; Obong B. E. Asuquo, Businessman; Arc. Ubokutom Nyah, businessman, banker and philanthropist, who chaired the occasion during the fund launch ceremony for the renovation and expansion of the father’s house beautifully.
The Silver Jubilee was a week long activity, that kick start with the blessing and unveiling of the status of Sacred Heart of Jesus on Sunday 29th November 2015 at the main entrance gatehouse of the parish Church and thus set the tone for the celebration while the opening Mass on Monday 30th created a wonderful platform for parishioners to listen to the oral tradition and presentation on the journey of Catholicism in Aka Offot as presented by Obong B. E. Asuquo and Obong Albert Mendie two icons and father of the community Church. On Tuesday was visit to Mary Walker Orphanage Home at Anua and in the evening we had the opportunity of listening to Rev. Fr. Roland Ntambang on Living a life of purpose: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3:10). The Parish Mid-Week Encounter informed the shape of Wednesday activity and on Thursday novelty football match and music concert featuring praise/worship, traditional church hymns, contemporary Catholic hymns, gospel, solos and classical music performed by choirs and chorale ensemble within Uyo. Jubilee lecture on the topic: “The significance of Jubilee celebration to Christian” by Rev. Fr. Joseph Ekwere took place on Friday while Saturday hosted Magistrate Helen Umana on ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Other days unfolded with unique programmes and gradually pre-climax to the internal award ceremony and koinonia on Saturday 5th December. The evening ceremony witnessed bouquets of activities mixed with social content defined within religious perspective. Eighteen (18) parishioners selected different parish life backed award of excellence for outstanding services to the parish.
The contrast between Sacred Heart Parish before this celebration and Sacred Heart Parish during this celebration leaves many in awe. It was a celebration of 25 years as a parish, a celebration of God’s fruitfulness and testament as a people of God, a celebration of parish-hood, a celebration of Christendom, a celebration of the beauty of Catholicism, a celebration of the truth of the Word of God and a celebration of our Jubilee year of freedom.
The event which had a threefold dimension – the Holy Mass, the fund launch and the social entertainment treats guests and parishioners to a wonderful display across the parish divides: the Ibibios, the Anang, the Igbos and Ogojo cultural troupes. Different activities in the field, different food menu, wine and beverages add colour to the feasting.
Cultural display animated the arena. The Igbo Community and Ogoja cultural play was simply outstanding. A unique aura and excitement overwhelmed the entire parish. The pastoral team too had a share of the exhilaration and showed ostensible satisfaction. Past Parish Priests and friends of the Parish from far and near demonstrated solidarity. It was a successful celebration though without seeming human flaws here and there.
The event also witnessed the commissioning of the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Angels and Chapel of St. Pio by Bishop John Ayah as well as the planting of jubilee tree by His Lordship.