The Society of St. Paul (Paulines) a religious congregation saddled with the mission of preaching the Good News through modern means of communication on Sunday 15 October 2023, unveiled its annual publication: God’s Word 2024 edition. The ceremony took place at the Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Ajah, during the first mass presided by Rev. Fr. Desmond Shinshima SSP and concelebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Ogidan, the parish priest.
In his address speech before the diary was unveiled, Fr. Desmond, reminded the faithful of the importance of nourishing and enlightening their minds with the Word of God. He acknowledged the hardship ravaging the country, yet challenged the faithful to make sacrifices for the betterment of their souls and spiritual well-being. He added that “those who may for unavoidable reasons not attend Mass daily, could use it for their personal meditations and as we approach the season of Christmas it could be given as gifts to loved ones and friends.”
God’s Word 2024 is a liturgical resource that contains the daily readings and reflections for the whole year, the order of Mass, various Catholic prayers, information regarding the saints of the day, the liturgical colours for each day and lots more. The new edition is dedicated to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
The parish priest Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Ogidan unveiled the Diary in the name of the Trinity and encouraged his parishioners to get copies for themselves and for their loved ones. The good people of Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help expressed their love for the Word of God and their appreciation to the Society of St Paul for considering their parish a fitting place for the unveiling of God’s Word 2024
Thursday, 8 of July, 2021 was a memorable day for Brothers Valentine Obumkaneme and Michael Muogbo, as the duo were conferred the Ministry of Acolyte, an important milestone in formation to the priesthood. The ceremony took place in the community chapel at Ibadan, during the Holy Mass presided over by the Regional Superior and concelebrated by the Superior of the community, Fr Robert and Coordinator General of Formation, Fr Praveen.
The day was special due to the conferment of the ministry and the Regional superior prayed that both Bro.Valentine and Bro. Michael may understand the importance of the ministry and commit themselves to fulfill the ministry well. In the homily he gave a concise history of the ministry and reminded the two of the call to serve the church as it was made up of many different parts, functioning differently yet one entity.
The candidates after the homily were invited to the front of the altar to recite the formular of the Ministry and presented with the chalice to prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
After the mass, there was the cake cutting to congratulate the Acolytes.
Tuesday 7 September 2021 will remain a blessed moment in the history of the Society of St Paul in Nigeria to thank and be grateful to Jesus our Divine Master. On this day, nine of its Postulants, the largest number so far to be admitted to the Novitiate in the Region of Nigeria, entered the Canonical year of Novitiate. The ceremony,presided over by Fr Joseph Kandachamkunnel, the Regional Superior, inthe Community Chapel, Ibadan. Present on the occasion were Fr Peter Perunnilathil, Superior, and Fr Praveen Chirathara, the Novice Master, and the members of the community. Reminding the Novices, that the year of novitiate is a year of blessings and graces, the Regional Superior admonished them to profitably and fruitfullyspend itbystriving to deepen their call to religious life and Pauline Vocation by detaching themselves from preconceived notions of the religious life and allow the Holy Spirit to form Jesus Masterin them.He also exhorted them to live the year of Novitiate under the mantle of Mary, Queen of Apostles and Saint Paul our Father and Patron. The Regional Superior then entrusted the Novices to the care of their Master Fr Praveen Chirathara.
It was a joyful moment on the 26th of November for the Region of Nigeria as it marked triple celebrations: Feast of our Founder as we observe the Golden anniversary of his entrance to the heaven; the First Religious Profession of four of Novices: Stanislaus, Ernest, Sunday, and Paul, and the blessing of the administrative block of the Regional House in Lagos.
The day’s celebrations began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Grace Most Rev. Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of Lagos. The Archbishop in his homily highlighted the peculiar situation of Alberione as a young minor seminarian, and how, by the grace of God, and with his individual efforts, he was able to rise and stand tall, making an impact in the Church to the extent of attracting the recognition of the Pope Saint Paul VI, who conferred him with a medal and visited him moments before his death.
During the Eucharist, Four Novices made their first Religious Profession, after the completion of the canonical year of Novitiate. After the Mass, the archbishop along with the priests present blessed the offices of the administrative block of the Region.
The occasion was graced by Religious sisters, including the Daughters of St Paul, parents of the newly professed brothers, worshipping community and well-wishers.
The first regional assembly of the region of Nigeria began on 06 April with the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the community chapel at Ibadan presided over by the Archbishop Gabriel Leke. The assembly proper is from 7-9 April 2021 and is held at the community of Ibadan. The total number of participants are 18; 12 Priests, 02 Deacons and 04 Junior Brothers.