By AMB. EDITH ISIDAHOMEN
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, has charged Catholic women in Nigeria to avoid living their Christian faith in isolation, saying it will not last.
The Bishop gave the charge while delivering his homily during the opening Mass of the 2024 Annual Retreat/End of the Year meeting of the Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria (CWON) which took place at the Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State between Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th October 2024.
Bishop Felix Ajakaye noted that faith can only be lived in the midst of people, stating that Motherhood is a vocation and the vocation can not be successfully achieved without faith.
He pointed out that women arrested the custodians of faith and the hope keepers of the families.
According to the homilist, confidence and trust in God are part of the vocation of motherhood. Hence, he urged them to hold on to the faith and never take it for granted.
“The devil and his evil work are everywhere in the world, and they can only be fought through prayers and faith.” the Bishop said.
Bishop Ajakaye further encouraged women in his homily to be witness of Jesus Christ in the public às Well as their homes through their words, deeds, and their vocation(Motherhood).
He noted that any form of Christianity lived alone is not Christlike. He opined that faith is believing, conviction, and weakness to allow Christ to love us, urging the women to surrender all to Christ.
“Faith is what God demands of you, me and all of us. If you do any work without faith, it is meaningless.” The Bishop admonished.
“Jesus is the way that you and I should follow, He is the truth that you and I should preach, and He is also the light that you and I should seek eternally.” Bishop Ajakaye reminded the congregation.
The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti further encouraged the women to find joy in themselves, which can not be found in others unless it is found in oneself first as one can not give what is not possessed.
“Whatever the situation is, be joyful, be a joyful christian, be joyful mother, be joyful father, be joyful priest, be joyful sister, be joyful brother, joyful vocation, joyful home, because whenever you are joyful at any situation, joy radiates.” The homilist stated.
Bishop Felix Ajakaye who welcomed the women to the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti State, prayed for a successful deliberation at the meeting and memorable experience in the Diocese, just as the prelate also led the women in various scintillating and motivational songs in the course of the homily.
The National President of Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria, Dame Mary Asibi Gomsum in her address, expressed thanksgiving to God for the grace of witnessing another edition of the Annual Retreat as she equally prayed for a fruitful deliberation.
She also appreciated the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, for his warmth receipt of the members of the organisation to the Diocese and forlife-changing homily.
In her welcome address, the provincial president of the Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria, Ibadan Province, Amb. Adefolaju Faramade welcomed the participants to the retreat as she expressed appreciation to God for the safe trips for everyone.
She enjoined the participants to fully and actively participate in the activities lined up for the retreat.
Earlier, the participants were led by the National President, Dame Mary Asibi Gomsum, on a courtesy visit to the Ewi of Ado Ekiti in his Palace and were warmly welcomed by the monarch and his council. Also, the contigent visited the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev Felix Femi Ajakaye at the Bishop’s Court.
