AN OFFICIAL REPORT (COMMINIQUE) FROM ST.

MARTINS PARISH EZIUKWU

ABA ON THE 2014 LAITY WEEK
THEME: THE YEAR OF FAITH IN THE FACE OF CONTEMPORARY
CHALLENGES.
SUNDAY:

DAY 1 9TH MARCH, 2014

MASS CELEBRATIONS

MONDAY: DAY 2 10TH MARCH, 2014.

ROSARY AND PRAISES BY C.B.I.U.
CO-ORDINATOR: BRO. SIXTUS OKWUNDU
SPEAKER: BRO. SAMUEL EWUZIE
TOPIC: THE SYMBOLISM APOSTOLICISM (THE APOSTLES CREED)
PREAMBLE:
According to the speaker, the days topic means our beliefs in the church. An
illustration of Mr. Hitherto (composer of the song when things like a river attain my
way) was given who lost everything he had including his children. His song brought
blessing to mankind that is faith inspite of all the predicaments along the way.
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
CONTEMPORARY: Belonging to the present time.
CHALLENGE: A new or difficult task that takes somebodys strength.
CREED: A Christian belief that spoken of a church service.
APOSTLE: A person who strongly believes in a policy and tries to abide by it.
The Apostles Creed was passed on us by the twelve (12) apostles to enable
Christians overcome future challenges and to present eternal teachings of the church
hence life challenges are inevitable.
The Bishhop of Aba Diocese in one of his missives wrote TO CHOOSE CHRIST IS
TO CHOOSE TROUBLE, that is to say that even Jesus disciples were witnesses to
this (in their killings, torments, when storm disturbed their voyage in the sea etc.)
Christians should understand the power in the word of God (Heb. 4:12) hence our
daily actions emits the amount or the word and faith we possessed. Though, life
challenges are getting tougher but our mission on earth is not fighting the restless
enemy (SATAN) always but to worship and love the creator of the universe,
ALMIGHTY GOD hence he defeated the devouring lion over 2,000 years ago.
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God does all things; it is our beliefs in Him that make us EXTRAORDINARY hence
our faith in Him (Is. 54:15-17). This faith makes us to do exploit and our miracles are
assured.
In conclusion, the apostles creed presented the eternal teachings of the church and
the future challenges that may befall Christians BUT ONE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID
OF THE TURBULENT WORLD; PRAY FERVENTLY, BE CHASTE, BE CAREFUL
AND BELIEVE STRONGLY IN THE WORD OF GOD.
Questions were attended to and prayers follow suit for dismissal.
TUESDAY: DAY 3 11TH MARCH, 2014
ROSARY AND PRAISES BY CCRN
CO-ORDINATOR: BRO. CHIBUZO OGOWUIHE
SPEAKER: BRO. SAMUEL EWUZIE
TOPIC: RELIGIOUS INSECURITY AND FUNDAMENTALISM
PREAMBLE:
You cannot be intimidated if one is knowledgeable with GODS WORD (Jn. 15:1-2).
Africans have witnessed prominent religions namely Christianity, Islam and Tradition.
They have also experienced strife therein so much so that it has become a STATUS
QUO.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
INSECURITY: Not safe or protected, exposure to danger; a state of fear and anxiety.
For instance, issue of kidnapping and Boko Haram etc.
RELIGION: It is an organized Christian doctrine with approved or proper form of
worship. For example, the major religions in Nigeria.
FUNDAMENTALISM: The practice of following very strictly the very rules and
teachings of every religions for e.g., in Christianity, the belief that all written in the
scripture (BIBLE) was true.
What provokes religious insecurity in any country like Nigeria is FUNDAMENTALISM.
This disease caused a strict adherence to ones religion but doesnt represent the true
worship of God.
TYPES OF FUNDAMENTALISM IN NIGERIA
Two (2) major types existed namely:
1)

Christian Fundamentalism

2)

Islamic Fundamentalism
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The essence of the above topic is to impact the spirit of tolerance and positive attitude
among believers (Christians) towards any religion.
WHAT IS THE WAY OUT?
1)

GROWTH: This is the increase in size, height, mental development especially

in skills and qualities. There are physical and spiritual growth which must be
balanced (3 Jn. 2). Therefore, Christians must seek growth in order to fit well
and overcome insecurity and fundamentalism.

2)

ATTITUDE: This is the way one feels or thinks towards something. The 100%
of a man is in his attitude which enables him to succeed.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF ATTITUDE
A 1, T = 20, T = 20, I = 9, T = 20, U 21, D = 4, E = 5; When summed up,
you have 100.

Our attitude should be positive hence GOD made you in His own image and likeness.
One is respected through his attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge. The Christian life
is like a bicycle and its parts (THE WHEEL) which signifies PRAYER, SERVICE,
STUDY AND COMMUNITY. The oil in the HUB of the wheel is for proper connectivity
and functionality of a Christian (Ps. 105:14-15).
People (Believers) should be an example of a believer in truth because they are like a
city built on a hill which are not hidden (I Tim. 4:12).
MEANS OF GROWTH:
1)

prayer

2)

Good attitudes

3)

Fruit of the Holy Spirit ad anointing. (Gal. 5:19-23).

Finally, development and maturity are necessities of life (John 15:1-2). Jesus is the
true vine hence there are false vines out there. God has a mission of saying that we
are his branches because much is expected of us to achieve the set goals. We are in
the course of training to stand to the test of time (2 Tim. 2:1-13).
The fruit of the spirit will take one to heaven and not the gifts hence the spirit will
leave or depart a body with the fruits and not the gifts due to immorality or
lawlessness. THEREFORE, SEEK TO GROW, TRY TO GROW AND ENSURE YOU
GROW DAILY.
Questions were tackled, prayers and dismissal.
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WEDNESDAY:

DAY 4 12TH MARCH, 2014

ROSARY AND PRAISES BY CYON
CO-ORDINATOR: BRO. MARTINS OKERE
SPEAKER: BRO. DAVID OFONDU
TOPIC: MATERIALISM

PREAMBLE:
The gospel preached in the church should be strictly adhered to hence JESUS IS
OUR LEADER.
M/V: Isaiah 4:1-2, where seven (7) women are asking one mans hand in marriage.
Seven (7) women above showed perfection in the church since they wanted to fend,
and provide things for themselves. The spiritual food these women were demanding
signifies their own teachings, their own choice of living, choice of dressing etc.
Eccl. 1:1-3 explained why worldly toiling and sufferings are vanity because man is just
like flowers blooming in the morning only to fade or wither in the evening. Almighty
God gave us similar death through SLEEP to amend our ways. Solomon beheld all
his wealth and saw all as vanity. We are material oriented and not mans (soul)
oriented; for instance, where we have so many church structures and most of our
members are starving.
God is not happy about this disease (materialism) that has eaten deep into the
churchs fabrics. People should understand that our body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit and should be adorned.
INHERITANCE is also a factor hence people continue to give birth in order to secure
their names from one generation to the other and this has led to so many atrocities
towards materialism. The church which was brought by Irish was to rescue and
protect the poor but the reverse is the case because of materialism.
WHAT IS MATERIALISM? It is the accumulation of excess wealth that you need.
During Biafran war, the Warlord, Ojukwu declared possession of a plot of land by
every Igbo man but unknown to him, the affluent among us kicked against it due to
materialism. The level of materialism in our society and in the church is at the
increase. For instance, at our various markets, where intimidation, extortion, sorcery,
diabolical and fetish practices were experienced. In Lk 12: 13 20, Jesus warned
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about greediness, covetousness and materialism, telling them a parable about a rich
man who felt that everything was enough but God took his soul later.
Finally, one may have all the worldly riches but lacks joy; we should not exceed our
limits hence our cloths should be cut according to the available material, there should
be spirit of sharing among us which was earlier practiced by the early or first
Christians; GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AMEN!
THURSDAY:

DAY 5 13TH MARCH, 2014

ROSARY AND PRAISES BY LEGION OF MARY
CO-ORDINATOR: MRS. BRIDGET AMUZIE
SPEAKER: BRO. DAVID OFONDU
TOPIC: OCCULT AND CULTISM
M/V: Deut. 18:9 12.

PREAMBLE:
Moses reprimanded the people in the text about what God said towards sorcery,
invocation of the dead, etc.
DEFINTION OF TERMS
OCCULT: Secret society or fraternity.
CULTISM: A group of individuals who come together to do things against the norms
of the society hence they want to influence people in the society.
According to history, Israel descended from GADs tribe but Igbos who also originated
from Israel derailed against their norms and attitudes through occultic involvements.
There is every tendency that all Igbos do not come from Israel hence diverse cultures
and disagreements.
Cultism began in Nigeria in 1952 by Wole Soyinka and some students (PIRATES) to
avoid intimidations in the institution then. Later many cultic groups emerged such as
Vikings, Butchers, Black Bra, Daughters of Jezebel etc. Cultism has circulated into
our secondary schools, colleges and higher institution today because they used baits
to intimidate or captivate innocent individuals. Daughters of Jezebel is one of the
deadliest women cultic group in the higher institution today.
The emergence of cultic groups in Aba metropolis was rescued by God through
Bakassi group then; thank God. The demand from most of these occult groups are
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devastating due to the sacrifices demanded from their grandmaster, the devil for
instance, killing of children, husbands, wives, cousins, neighbours etc. They
pretended to be Christians, donate cheerfully, and are very bold to disrupt church and
priests formations and activities. They occupy prominent positions in the church (in
disguise). People or Christians should be aware of the illuminati (Church of Satan) in
the town now (Acts 8).
In conclusion, Christians are advised to decease or refrain from these nefarious
activities.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!
THURSDAY:

DAY 6 14TH MARCH, 2014

ROSARY AND PRAISES BY CYON
CO-ORDINATOR: BRO. RAPHAEL UWA
SPEAKER: BRO. DAVID OFONDU
TOPIC: PENTECOSTALISM VERSUS ORTHODOXY

PREAMBLE:
It is pertinent that lay people do not take in cognizance the relevance of this laity week
but we received the Holy Spirit through baptism.
In the Catholic Church, every endowment or treasure is greatly secured but some
people are still blind due to deceit from other denominations. There are so many gifts
of the Holy Spirit among us (Catholics) but it appaulling and devastating seeing our
members in the various mushroom houses (churches).
DEFINITION OF TERMS
ORTHODOX: Generally accepted doctrine of the church which came from the
Apostles.
PENTECOSTALISM: People whose beliefs depend on what happened on the
Pentecost day or outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The difference between the terms is that the former believed that there are things or
events which were not written in the scripture while the later stick to the scripture.
In John 20 and James 5:15-17, Jesus gave the apostles power to forgive sins. The
bible is a compendium of books and cannot be seen in the scripture.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit are real and diverse (I Cor. 12, Eph. 4, Rom. 12) but some
Pentecostals felt that prophesy and speaking in tongues are the order of the day. But
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thank God for different pious societies in the church. Every day, in the Catholic
Church, we share in the teachings of the apostles, break bread and say their prayers
in unism (Acts 2) people have derailed due to Pentecostalism.
Repentance is the highest miracle. God is faithful. Emission of some nastic
experiences has been seen in these Pentecostal groups (the more you look, the less
you see).
In conclusion, Catholics are original and authentic. We have the blessed sacrament
where Christ is fully present to accept all our petitions and prayers. Since our Lord is
a suffering Lord, we must follow Him with patience, work according to the ordinances
of the church; he will solve your problems. In Jesus Name, Amen.
..
..
BRO. SYLVESTER IFEJIRIKA
(CHAIRMAN, LAITY COUNCIL)

IGBOANUGO NGOZI (MRS.)

REPORTER

ST. MARTINS PARISH, ABA.