Parish life

Sixty-three recognised pious associations, organisations and state unions, each with its own charism, all working alongside the priests in the common task of evangelisation.

Nobody is expected to belong to everything. Most parishioners belong to one society and one state union, meet after Sunday Mass, and give a few hours a month. It is how a parish of five thousand manages to know its own people. To join, speak to the leader of the group after Mass, or ask at the office and you will be introduced.

Where people gather

Organisations

Catholic Women Organisation · Catholic Men Organisation · Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria · Knights of St. Mulumba · Knights of St. John International · Parish Laity Council

Pious associations

Legion of Mary · Sacred Heart Confraternity · Block Rosary Crusade · Society of St. Vincent de Paul · Catholic Charismatic Renewal · Mary League · Purgatorian Society · St. Anthony’s Guild

Liturgical ministries

St. Mary’s Choir · altar servers · extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion · lectors and commentators · wardens and ushers · sacristans · Parish Communications Committee

Alongside these, the state and ethnic unions bring together parishioners from every part of Nigeria — a reminder that this congregation was gathered, from the very beginning, out of many peoples.

Members of the Catholic Women Organisation seated at Mass — The Catholic Women Organisation, in the blue and white of the parish.

Catechism and children

Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation runs through the year under the parish catechists, on Saturdays at 9:00 am. Register your child at the office at the start of the session. In the evenings, the Block Rosary Crusade gathers children in their own neighbourhoods, supervised by adult coordinators from the parish.

The parish also runs two schools of its own: St. Mary’s Primary School and St. Mary’s School of Music.

The catechists and lay leaders

Mr. Aaron Chigbogu was the parish’s first catechist in 1986. Catechist Oliver Ugwa took over when Pa Chigbogu retired to the east in 1997, and continues, assisted by Sir J. J. Kure, while Mr. Morgan takes care of the St. Ignatius outstation.

Sir F. S. Frank has served since 1989, first as Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council. Mr. Ben Okerulo chaired the Parish Pastoral Council and Mrs. Linda Audi led the Catholic Women Organisation. Mrs. Gladys Amadi and Mrs. Kate Ohieme also led the CWO. Many others guided the parish in ways the record cannot list.

Vocations

Three young men from this parish have been ordained to the priesthood, and a number of women have entered religious life. Many more are waiting for the opportunity. The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus have served the parish for decades, the first among them Rev. Sr. Nwalu, HHCJ. If you are considering a vocation, ask to speak with one of the priests.