By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
The lectors of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in GRA, Awka, celebrated the feast of their Patron, St. Jerome, with a thanksgiving Mass and renewal of vows during the 9:30 am Mass on October 4.
The feast, celebrated on Sept. 30, began with a nine-day novena and a spiritual lecture session to support the lectors’ activities.
Speaking during the reception, the outgoing Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Oranye, commended the lectors for their dedication, commitment, and efforts to promote the liturgy.
He noted that every society in the church is important, but the lectors are exceptional, adding that the congregation had not made any complaints about their proclamations.
Fr. Oranye reminded them that whenever they climb the altar, they are there to proclaim the word of God, not to promote themselves. “While we are on the altar, we are not there for ourselves, so keep up your commitment for the work of God,” he said.
Engr. Obinna Nnoruo, one of the lectors’ patrons, urged them to be the Catholic Bible that people read through the way they live. “Your life from the altar should not be different from your life in your compound and workplace. In other words, be yourself anywhere you are and at every time. Let us be the word we proclaim.”
He commended them for improving in their proclamation of the word of God, their gestures during Mass, and even the responsorial psalm.
Earlier, the chairperson of the lectors, Dr Christy Odimegwu, welcomed everyone to the event. She noted that this year’s feast of St. Jerome included a nine-day novena, spiritual talk, thanksgiving, and renewal of vows. She told members that the word of God they proclaim should be reflected in their lives and serve as a mirror for others.
“Let us make the word we proclaim part of our life and always examine ourselves, so that at the last day, we will not be cast out by Jesus Christ for our wrongdoings but rather partake in His greater feast. Extend love to one another, for God is love, and we carry the word of God, who is love,” she stated.
Ifeyinwa Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
