It was a colourful Celebration on Sunday 11th June 2023 as CYON St. Thomas More Parish Owerri joined their colleagues across Owerri Archdiocese to mark the 2023 Catholic Youth day celebration.
The President of CYON of the parish, Mr Chima Oguzie solicited for the support of the youths which he said is the pride of the nation and the future of the church.
The 2023 youth day celebration had chairman of organising Committee as Mr Fortune Obieze. The youths rendered captivating choral renditions all through the course of the Holy Mass officiated by the Associate Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nkwocha and assisted by Very Rev. Msgr. Anthony Njoku, the parish priest.
The youths decorated the church with various exciting inscriptions conveying various messages of importance of a well-groomed youth. The youths asserted that “in youth we learn… In age we understand…”.
Also another inscription has it that “Good habits formed at youth make all the difference…”. The vision of the church is to strengthen the youths as the hope of the future church.
Presenting his address, the president of CYON St Thomas More Parish, thanked the parish leadership and the entire family of St. Thomas More for supporting the youths.
He announced that they are using the occasion to recognise some youths and People who have distinguished themselves in various ways particularly, for playing strategic development role for the youths and the parish.
He reeled out some of the achievements of CYON of the parish and affirmed that every financial support they receive will be used for positive development of the youths and the church. He called on all to support the youths.
Delivering homily, Very. Rev. Msgr. Anthony Njoku, the parish priest, urged the youths to draw closer to the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation, as according to him, growing in sanctity increases with participation in the communion.
The Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace Rt. Rev. Lucius Ugorji has directed that there be a uniform celebration across the Archdiocese, for the youths going forward. It means that all the parishes celebrate youth day on the same day across all parishes in the Archdiocese.
The President of the Celebration, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nkwocha remarked that the Celebration of the day is of two prongs, a universal Celebration of the feast of corpus Christi and the local Celebration of the CYON day of the Archdiocese. He urged the parishioners to support the youths program in order to invest in the future of the church.
CYON St Thomas More used the occasion to honour People, presenting appreciation award for distinguished service.
Awardees includes: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nkwocha, Associate Parish Priest, Dr. Julian Aririguzo, who received Great Ambassador award.
Other nominees for award include Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, Bro. Ben Nwankwoegwu, etc.
CYON of the parish showcased various products such as perfume, washing detergents, key-holders, etc., as evidence of skills acquired…
© Anthony Akalugo
Dolly Online News, 2023
