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20211005

20210504

THE SACRILEGE OF COMMUNION IN THE HAND


This is where you and I are called to give the Greatest honour, respect and reverence to the Blessed Sacrament ~ the Sacrament of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We should never be part of the "unbelieving" Roman Catholics who feel they could do what they want, how they want with the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

20210403

The Holy Eucharist ~ Our Sure Route to Heaven

When you watch the Beatification recording of the Italian  teenager, Carlo Acutis, who said that the Holy Eucharistic is his "Highway To Heaven", you come to believe, without doubt, that he was perfectly right.

You and I have must have read several times, heard it preached on and probably studied commentaries on the entire 6th chapter of St John's Gospel: the whole discourse about the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus is True God and True Man. Being Our God made visible, He knows we should not stop at having a relationship with Him, but an INTIMACY with Him. In our human parlance, every relationship should end in an intimacy that involves the body - the whole body.  This is what Catechists and Pastors should teach while preparing couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony; we don't leave them in the dark, guessing about their mutual rights and responsibilities to live and mature together as members of the Mystical Body of Christ.  Husband and wife give themselves totally and completely to each other in their relationship in such an intimate way that one is really willing to die for the other. This is the Holy Will of God from all eternity - not for the "pleasure" but for the will of the Creator, an act that is open to NEW LIFE and in fulfillment of the Divine plan of procreation and populating of the City of God.

So, Christ following His eternal design of the Human Person He created from the beginning, before He suffered as He ever knew all that would happen in its time, gave us HIS BODY AND BLOOD to fulfil His Holy Will to remain with us till the end of Time. As it is known, St John's Gospel got the Mind and Will of Jesus Christ in the Institution of the Holy Eucharist and its narrative.  If you and I truly love Jesus Christ, we should likewise love His Will and Intent that we feed on His Body and Blood so to have life in us and be candidates for Heaven.  Let us revisit the entire chapter 6 of St John's Gospel. 

20210328

BEING EUCHARISTIC 24/7

 Every Roman Catholic Priest is aware of his vocation to be Eucharistic, every day of his life. Celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass should be uppermost in his mind, nothing should ever stop him from celebrating this Sacrament of God's love to humanity.  From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we all know the benefits of the Mass, for whom and why they are offered.

It is not about you, the Priest; it is about the Holy Will and Plan of God, our Creator.  Like every child of God, your guardian Angel and hosts of Angels surround you, particularly being the Alter-Christus, these Spiritual Beings accompany you, everywhere.  As St Pio of Pietrelcina {Padre Pio} once said: "feel free to send your guardian Angels on errands..." They are there to 'serve' us as they serve God. Personally I have often tried to do this: ask my guardian Angel to keep Jesus company after I begin my holy hour, before the Blessed Sacrament, and suddenly have need to step out of the Chapel. I simply genuflect on two knees before the Blessed Sacrament, turn and bow towards the kneeler I feel my Guardian Angel is staying and say: "please, keep the Lord company while I step out.... thank you"  I have always had the feeling that I have not left Jesus - the Prisoner of Love, alone.  My guardian Angel kept Him company in my brief absence.

Our awareness of this ever-presence and company of our Guardian Angels, should help keep the Priest, by God's grace, conscious of the avoidance of mortal sin. 

You Are On Your Own

It is evident that today you hear this loud and clear: people make comments that portend to say: "YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN".  You and I have to take care of our body and most importantly our soul,  more than anything else. The choice remains yours and mine - to care or neglect our body and soul or not. And since we have only ONE LIFE TO LIVE, AND ONE DEATH TO DIE, it becomes imperative that we make the best of the few seconds/hours at our disposal to take care of things that really matter. The next moment may be too late; we have no one to blame but ourselves. Blaming others will not help, rather may increase our pain of loss.

Take care not to expect anyone to take care of you - not the government,  not your family or community and unfortunately not even the Church. The responsibility is all yours; except maybe for the very young and infants. In this case, the responsibility is ours, the adults (parents/guardians) to give early guidance and direction to these young minds. Engage them in family devotions, the Holy Rosary, night prayers, family reading of the Holy Bible and quiet time, etc.  We see this exemplified by construction companies re-doing a highway, tethering young plants to avoid omnidirectional winds from deforming the young plants, yet to dip its roots into the soil. The tethers are professionally removed when the roots are sunk deep into the soil.  And now, they can stand the winds, from wherever side they come.  This is what happens with grooming a young man/lady in the faith, for instance; you do not allow the child to  grow up and make up its mind on what to believe in; such a soul may end up being mal-formed, rudderless.  Eventually, this 'boat', 'canoe' or 'ship' will end in utter disaster. 

But after you and I have done our duty/homework, laying a solid foundation of faith and practice for this young fellow; if in later life, this young man/lady  allows the external world and peer pressure to obliterate all that he/she had from the family, then he/she has the full blame. ONLY  WE DO NOT STOP LOVING AND PRAYING FOR THEM, giving good examples of care, love and patience towards them. Such good friends as Saints Monica and Augustine come immediately to mind - have recourse to their intercession. Finally, entrust everything to God and Our Blessed Mother Mary.

20210315

This is yet another attempt to begin my blog website. Hopefully this gets through for all friends and well-wishers to be able to share ideas through this medium. Remain ever blessed.

Ukachukwu

Canon in D Major | Pachelbel's Canon | 2 HOURS Version | Classical Music...

We need a Cleansing...

Instrument of the devil’: Priest sounds alarm on Equality Act

20210202

IGBO


    ~~    Dreaming, Eating, Living, Talking, THINKING, Sleeping  ~~  IGBO

Igbo is my Culture, Igbo is my Language, Igbo is my Tradition, Igbo is my Tribe.
In sum, my quintessence is IGBO.
Ironically or sarcastically IGBO is the acronym of a reality in se: I Go Before Others”.  
We want to believe in this factual statement, which does not, by any stroke of the imagination, imply SELFISHNESS OR SELF-CENTREDNESS.  NO !!!; nothing could be farther from the truth. This appears most natural, human and indeed 'reasonable'. 

The Latin adage is:  Nemo dat quod non habet” – You cannot give what you don’t have. 

One evening I was visiting a family friend, their little girl was just beginning to crawl and make some 'verbal' sound; she could hear when mom or dad calls her. She will turn, giggle, increase her speed and pretend to go away from their direction.   My close observation was that whatever little Ada-mma picked from the floor - bread crumbs, cookies, groundnuts (peanuts), etc. goes into her mouth. Certainly she loves the mother and father, but she will not pick a piece of cookie or peanuts and take it to her mother, NO; she puts it into her mouth. Is this little girl, yet crawling, selfish? NO. When she grows up to reason, she will begin to know what it is to give/share. In the meantime, she is acting and responding to that which is natural and human:  The saying goes thus: "Charity begins at home", but does not end there.  Later this little girl will grow up to learn to love others, outside of herself. 

A few months ago we had a symposium shortly before the pandemic: one of the presenters had a power-point presentation and one of the slides says: "you cannot pour from an empty cup" showing an empty cup tilted, really empty. Basically if you have nothing, you cannot give anything. Like the Latin adage: "ex nihilo, nihil fit"~ from nothing, nothing comes.
                                                         I G B O
  
Igbo is my Culture, Language, Tribe and Tradition. The Igbo is a unique tribe in the West Coast of Africa. Their uniqueness stems from so many attributes, including but not limited to their ways of expressing their life and culture, their expressions, relationships with self, fellow Igbo and strangers/foreigners, etc. The Igbo language has within it what one could call "dialects" whereby certain sections of Igboland speak a version of the language peculiar and unique to them ~ Abriba, Afikpo, Anambra, Ikwere, Ngwa, Owerre and other major sections of Igboland have their dialects.  Despite these 'apparent differences', we understand each other when we speak. The Igbo are very warm and welcoming people; from our ancestral wise sayings, we love and respect the stranger, conscious of our being a stranger somewhere and to some people, quite soon. They are everywhere; every city/town is their home.  A former Nigerian President, comparing the different tribes said that while some see their big cities as their village, the Igbo sees the world as his village. The Hausa have a proverb that says: "any city you visit and do not find an Igbo man, either the city does not exist or the inhabitants are demons" The Igbo express themselves by their Culture, Religion and Tradition. Food, dance, festivities, learning, etc. are part of the culture.   ////////

BEING IGBO - A MORAL LESSON

IGBO is my Culture, Language, Tradition and my Tribe. Two points to be stressed and/or wrong ideas corrected, before we delve into the reason for this brief essay. First; the Spelling is IGBO and not IBO as the white man would want us to accept, for the simple reason they found it difficult to pronounce "GB" in IGBO. Secondly; the word has no English plural. It is basically anachronistic to say IGBOS: such a word, to say the least, has no place in the history of the Igbo. If there is need for a 'plural' form, it is Ndi-Igbo or better still Ndigbo (dropping one vowel 'i'). Igbo bu Igbo, Oha Igbo are other options to express plurality when talking or writing of the Igbo. So "Igbos" is unacceptable. Period.

20140601

Just A Meal

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

This post was originally posted in one of my 'non-functional' 'less effective' blogs after my Silver Jubilee celebration in Omaha, NE.

By God's grace, I came back from Omaha, NE today. On Sunday, August 21, I celebrated the Mass of the Silver Jubilee of my Priesthood Ordination at St Cecilia's Cathedral. I was blessed with a warm acceptance/invitation of Archbishop George Lucas for this Silver Jubilee. The Host Rector, Very Rev. Michael F. Gutgsell was very hospitable to me as usual - accommodated me at the Rectory, provided, FOC, the Cathedral Meeting place we used for the reception after Mass. The story and pictures of this event will be ongoing. The "Label" for this post "Just A Meal" has two objectives: first to tell of the Eucharistic Sacrificial Meal of/with the Lord Jesus as I mark my 25 years in Roman Catholic Priesthood, the Meal we shared with guests after the Mass and finally to tell African Visitors of this blogpage about an African Eatery I found this time. It is called Sholiz Food, Inc. located on 86th/Maple streets in North West Omaha (8602 Maple Street) One can visit their website at www.sholiz.net Good luck and may all who visit this blog remain blessed. All your comments are welcome.
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Once Upon A....

Our course at this time at Creighton University in Omaha, NE had to do with violence and non-violence. I told my lecturer and colleagues this Igbo folklore about the Cow and the Fly. Our Prof. who is of Irish origin said: "No Father, that was an Irish folklore, not Igbo" Here goes the story: Once upon a long time ago, the animal kingdom tried to instill sanity in the kingdom. Careful observation showed that the cow flouted all the rules and bylaws. This upset the entire population of the animal kingdom. After a meeting held in which the cow decided to be absent, a resolution was made to send one animal delegate with a message to the Cow. When most bigger animals declined, for fear the cow could kick the hell out of them in anger, the fly volunteered to be the bearer of the message. On the eventful day, while the animals met at the village square, the cow stayed some distance away eavesdropping. At the end of the meeting mother fly decided to immediately go on the agreed errand. She was yet to finish her message from the animal kingdom when the big cow stepped forward and crushed her into the mud that had "glued" her wings that prevented her from flying off to safety if the cow threatened. On seeing that the fly has been crushed to death by the cow, the rest of the animals ran away and those living close to the home of the flies went and told her family and baby flies that it was the cow that killed their mother. The flies, as one, went to express their grievance about the action of the cow. The cow did not show any remorse and so the flies swore not to give the cow or her children any rest all their life, hence they petch on the nose, eyes, ears: they petch on all vexing parts of the cow. They vowed to keep the cow miserable and restless forever. Hence the fate of the cow till date. The morale of the story is that it is not by might but by mutual respect and understanding that we could co-exist, make progress and take off terrorism. Let's all work for peace, justice and love. God bless all who see need to eliminate violence in a world God wants us to "enjoy" before coming home to heaven, if we live according to His Holy will.

20140430

We Are The Church Militant

To my readers/followers who are yet to meet Michael Voris with his program on Church Militant.TV, I will humbly introduce him to you. Please take a few minutes each day to listen to his topics that are very challenging and a good enough "wake up call" to both ardent and lukewarm Roman Catholics. Sign up at www.churchmilitant.tv for free daily messages; later you may be inclined to sign up for a 'premium account'. It's worth it. May God be blessed and keep Michael Voris and his "Archangel Michael Apostolate"  A.M.D.G.

20131120

I have often seen my dad in my dreams; my waking up dreams, I mean; and such dreams have great significance. This past Monday morning I saw Papa, had some dialogue with him. When I told him of my recent "vocation within a vocation" thoughts, he did not respond either way - support or disapproval.  I woke up.  I could fill the blanks.  I recall that by the time I finished from High School he had secured  a job for me, within the Department of Posts and Telecommunications where he worked then at the Yaba, Lagos office.  I "disappointed" him for not towing his line and deciding to go for the Catholic Priesthood.  In January 1972 I began pivotal teaching/prefecting at the Holy Ghost Juniorate, Ihiala. Soon after I felt a calling to a Contemplative Order and by June of same year I was admitted into the newly founded "Our Lady of Mount Calvary Monastery, Awhum, Enugu, under Very Rev. Fr Abraham Ojefua (of blessed memory). Ill health discontinued this cherished Contemplative vocation: then Postulant Director, Very Rev. Fr Mark Ulogu, O.C.S.O, told me to go home, get treated and come back if I wished to. However, I could not get back after due medical attention because my Parish Priest at the time, Very Rev. Fr Simon Okeke advised me to get into an active religious life first, and later go to a Monastery if I still feel called. He said: "I see your illness more as a psychological illness than physical, you did not go through the discipline of a minor seminary where you have times set out for spiritual reading, meditation etc.; jumping from a Catholic High School into a Contemplative Monastery is a big leap...."  This I obeyed and continued my formation when I joined the young Congregation of Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy (S.M.M.M) in 1975.  After my 1st Religious Profession in October 1976, I began Philosophy in September 1977.  I was ordained on August 23, 1986 as a Diocesan Priest of Okigwe.  Today, by God's grace, the wish and desire to get back into the Monastic Life is burning in me. I continue to pray for more light from the Holy Spirit. 
It is very clear: at least to my finite mind, that the Omnipotent, Omniscient One, God, could not/did not save us without Mary’s vital role: so I got 'madly' in LOVE with this special WOMAN in our Salvation History. My Priesthood is a special call from God, sensed at the early age of 7. I grew up to love Mother Mary: SHE IS THE WORLD TO ME. She is the Mother of the PRIEST. We have only ONE PRIEST in the whole wide world – Jesus Christ – the Priest, the Altar, the Victim and the Sacrifice. Without any admixture, it was Mary’s blood in the Incarnate Word that was shed on the Cross for our salvation and redemption. For this reason, Holy Mother Church calls Mary “co-redemptrix” or co-redeemer. That explains briefly why, after God, I owe my priesthood and whatever good I have done, to Mother Mary – Mother of all Priests of Her Son – The PRIEST, Jesus Christ. Let us hang on to Mary; love, cherish and honour her. She will surely and certainly lead us to Jesus Christ, The Priest, Redeemer and Sanctifier.

20130301

Once Upon a Day

Once upon a day, I encountered a Veteran in my place of work. This 28 year old man was fascinating in sharing his faith and practice.  This friend of mine, B.U.  is a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He was born and raised a member of the 1st Century Gospel Church.  He shared historical facts with me. From him I learnt that Faith Tabernacle Congregations  were originally the same Church that later split in 2, evidently due to some personal issues from those at the helm of leadership. "Today these two Churches share the same faith culture, doctrine and practice" he said. As a little boy, growing up we use a small foot path near a Faith Tabernacle Congregation Church (FTC) in our village while going to school or Church.  The Church has evidently a foreign Architectural design with concrete walls.  People who attend this Church were known for one thing, THEY DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE TO GET WELL. They believe in FAITH HEALING; they believe God will heal them.  Today, from this Veteran friend of mine, B.U., I got further insight into these Churches, though divided in name, remain same in fundamental doctrines and practices. For instance, the modesty of their women: no make-ups or other external ornamentation and cosmetics common with modern day ladies/women; no pants (trousers); only skirt and blouses etc. Their female folk could work until they get married; once married, only the husband works and she stays home full time, taking care of the entire family. Seems a "take it or leave us alone" issue.  In my opinion, this is an ideal family. We are all aware that the FAMILY is the first in everything - society, Church, hospital and/or pharmacy, school, restaurant, government etc. Without the family, described in the Catholic Church as the DOMESTIC CHURCH, nothing else counts. For an instance:  if we have troubled/dysfunctional families, the entire edifice in/of society crumbles and goes to the birds. If we have stable and functional families, then we have a stable and functional society, Church, government etc. (This article I feel should be a WORK IN PROGRESS, as I continue to get facts and feed them, in here)

20111226

Talking About Love

Talking about love. St John quoted Jesus as "loving His Own even to the end". Yes!!! Jesus loved all His Apostles and disciples despite their apparent slowness etc, even to the end. Jesus loves you and I despite our sinfulness and weaknesses and "idiocy" Jesus has an unconditional love for His entire flock. Like Jesus, Mother Mary, also loves all God's children, even to the end. Most especially does she love those who evidently hate her, dishonour, disrespect her, disparage her; even those who have sworn to kill her if they were to set eyes on her. Who understands more than Mother Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word, Mother of The True God and True Man, Jesus Our Saviour. Mother Mary's role as Mother, a loving and forgiving Mother makes her stand out. For instance, She understands and forgives those whose sole duty/business/pre-occupation is none else than to pull down 0ne whom God has exalted so high; one greeted by an Angel of God thus: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you..." Who else have gotten such a heavenly greeting, but Mary? Be it known, therefore, that Mary loves all God's children, all who claim God as thier Father, no matter their religious persuation, their cultural leaning etc, no matter how much we love or hate her, try to down play her role in our Salvation etc. MOTHER MARY LOVES YOU AS DOES JESUS: "PRAISE BE TO JESUS CHRIST, HONOUR TO MOTHER MARY" Let us all say: AMEN.

20111224

Once Upon A Day: THE PERFECT PASTOR

A Priest Chaplain friend and colleague of mine enclosed this piece in his Christmas card to me:
"The Perfect Pastor preaches exactly ten minutes, He condemns sin roundly, but never hurts anyone's feelings. He works from 6:00 a.m. until midnight, and is also the Church's janitor.

The Perfect Pastor makes $40.00 per week, wears good clothes, drives a good car, buys good books and donates $30.00 a week to the parish. He is 29 years old and has 40 years experience. He is, above all else, handsome....

The Perfect Pastor has a burning desire to work with teen-agers, and he spends most of his time with the senior citizens. He smiles all the time, with a straight face, because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his parish. he makes fifteen calls a day on his people and is always in his office to be handy when needed.

The Perfect Pastor always has time for the Parish Council and all its committees and sub-committees. He never misses a meeting of any parish organization, and he is always busy evangelizing the un-churched....

The Perfect Pastor is always in the next parish over !

(The Priest, December 1977, Represented from Parish Bulletin,
St Francis of Assisi Church, Allentown, Penna. Aug. 3rd, 1980)

My dear Priest friend, kindly read and reflect on the article: how "realistic"? Or is it altogether funny?

20111025

Once Upon A Day

I had goose bumps. Thinking loud could generate lots of emotion. I sat quietly one bright morning and began thinking loud. Shortly after, I wondered about one day when some of us who are so greedy, will find themselves alone on this planet. The one will have all the cars, million dollar mansions, trains, aircrafts (big and small) etc; including of course AIR FORCE 1 used on this planet by the most powerful nation's president. I wondered how this person would feel:over-joyed, satisfied, depressed, frustrated or .... Greed is not good, no matter how much we try to rebrand it. Good luck to all who are guided by the spirit of greed; I pray they come to their senses before too long.

20111004

Ndi Anya Ukwu

Once in a while I stop and begin to think of persons who tend to be greedy, envious, jealous, negatively, crafty and ingenious, cheating etc. Such persons, my Igbo people will call "Ndi Anya Ukwu" - literally (people with big eyes), basically people with avid, monstrous and growling insatiability. Once upon a Day, it may be thought that such a person will find himself/herself alone on this planet - owning all the mansions, cars - just everything there is (endless litany). When my thought fly thus, I get goose bumps and instantly cease this mind wondering. Then the question: why can't we live moderately and as my Igbo people will say: "egbe bere, ugo bere" - let the kite perch, let the eagle perch. Why the hot blood and desire to eliminate your brother/sister so you inherit whatever? Why the idea of exploitation of the weak because you feel you are smarter/stronger etc? Why the desire to dominate others, dictate for them? Why feel your culture is superior to others? Again the questions go endless as long the Godless human condition perdures. May God help us and deliver us all from greed, envy, avarice, jealousy and all negative inclinations: may He gift us with all the virtues that make us more Christlike and Godly. Amen and I seee ee e eh

20110124

A New Planet

Not long ago we got the news that a Team of Planet Hunters sighted a New Earth-Like Planet. I was thrilled they did not say "they created" another planet, but that "they discovered" a new planet that could be habitable like our earth. A sigh of relief that man this time around did not arrogate to himself that quality and/or capacity "to create" that is the sole reserve of God, The Creator. God gave us wisdom and free will to explore, decide and comment on issues. Steven Vogt, one of the Astronomers of the University of California, Santa Cruz, made leading and valuable remarks that could widen our animal curiosity. How far this brings us closer to our search for the Ultimate is any one's guess. Heaven is a "state" not a "place" or "locus", in re. In love God gave us this planet Earth to inhabit, a planet we can manage. If you prefer to venture to the new found planet that has a good balance between hot and cold, according to Steven Vogt's team of astronomers, good luck. May all things lead man to salvation and Glory To God. Amen.

20110117

Vocation To The Priesthood

Just thinking loud the other day: my thoughts flew back and forth. Suddenly they settled on something quite disturbing to me: call to the Catholic Priesthood in today's world. I had some shivers through my spine, some goose bumps, then some tears. Growing up in my Igbo Nation of Africa (Biafra), some 60 years ago, it was a different story from what one could observe today, back home as well as in the developed nations. The media - print, electronic and entertainment, appears to be hype the difficulties of nurturing a vocation, or even being open to the silent voice that invites the young man/lady to a special relationship with God in the priestly or religious life. People are so busy with what one could consider trifles that no room is left for hearing and answering an invitation from God to a life of dedicated service as the God Man Jesus Christ taught and did. May God spare His Church from the attacks of such enemies as the Media. Amen and so let it be.

20100916

Peoples' Person

This young lady, Latoya Williams, was a people person. Latoya was sick, but unknown to many whom she brightened their day, lowered their stress levels etc; myself included. Latoya had a serious form of Asthma which unknown to many of her friends, did not stop her from being herself - singing and dancing, hugging and kissing. She has good voice that lends her readily for a "Sing Along" competition. Latoya was a gift to all who knew or came in contact with her. She was a cheerful, long suffering and highly motivated student at University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, and an employee of Carondelet Health Network, St Mary's Hospital, Tucson. Her ill health took a bad turn the day I travelled to Omaha, Nebraska, Sunday, April 11, 2010. I came back Tuesday the 12th instant, came to work on Wednesday to hear the whisper of Latoya's death. Like many who knew Latoya, I was filled with shock and sorrow, to say the least. Our condolences go to her parents and siblings and to all of us whose life she touched in a most godly way. This picture was providentially taken a few days before she answered the eternal summons. Give God your ready smiles, Latoya. May Latoya's humble and simple soul rest in perfect peace. Amen and Amen.
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20100817

Talking About Mary

Last Sunday we were privileged to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, Body, Soul and Spirit. As Catholics we should be so proud and raise our heads high in jubilation for having such a Figure in God's eternal plan for our Redemption. Mary is the co-Redeemer of the Human race. That the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God could not save us without the vital role of Mary, is clearly seen in all Scripture. God found no other way; ONLY through Mary was your redemption and mine possible. She is the way through which God came to us; she is the surest and most certain way back to God: the Way, the Truth and the Life. This may appear to be one of those mysteries of God, but actually not; in the sense that it is not beyond our comprehension. The reality of the actuality is not beyond the grasp of our finite minds. It is nothing compared to the mystery of the Blessed Trinity. Christian Catholics go to Mary and She will lead you securely and certainly to Jesus. A priest friend of mine told this story which I wish to paraphrase: a lady came into a Cathedral, knelt in front of a statue of Our Lady, praying. A gentleman on a scaffold in one nave of the Cathedral whispered "woman, here is Jesus", she ignored him, a second time he said the same thing, she ignored him. Wanting to get some attention the man got a little louder, saying: "Jesus is here" to which the woman yelled out: "keep quiet Jesus, I am talking to Your Mother" This may seem a joke, but if you and I think really hard we'll see Jesus pleased with His Mother's intercessory role in our salvation, a path God charted out for Her from all eternity. A.M.D.G.

20100722

Origin Of The Igbo

Several encounters with persons of academic/curious minds have left me with the challenge of writing this article, brief as it may be, for time. The article below in Red Italics are culled from an article published some years ago. The facts are credible and verifiable. Anthropologists agree that a people could easily be identified by their culture and religion. A peoples' culture would include but not limited to food and agriculture, music and dancing, trade and enterprise etc Their religion would include but not limited to the notion of a deity and/or Supreme Being, worship rituals, festivities, child naming etc. From any direct encounter with an Igbo man will almost immediately reveal these factors of Igbo identity. Without saying it directly, some early European authors on the Igbo life and community portray a people with lots of common threats between the Jews and Igbo people of West Africa. If one would take some time to research, it will pay off real fast on this reality which lots of Jewish Archeologists have testified to, after their visit and research in Igboland. Evidently our wonderful search engines today will furnish the enquirer more and related facts as the following: In his recent article of Friday March 2, 2007 titled “Where did the Igbo come from?” Mazi Nweke wrote: “To make this view more acceptable, Olaudah Equiano, an Igbo ex-slave in London, who is said to have travelled widely, happens to be the first person to write about the Igbo tribe before his death in 1797. Equaino, in one of his findings, discovered that some names amongst the Igbos such as Uburu and even the “Igbo” itself are derived from Hebrew words. On the Igbo Landing ceremony a few years ago, on St. Simon's Island, Georgia, Rev. Fr Dr Aham Nnorom wrote, among other things:

"According to Moreh Herman Taylor of the The Shalom Congregation (House of Israel), Jackson, Mississippi, the Igbo Landing activities afforded him and his family the opportunity to "bond with my brothers who are members of the House of Israel…and have gone through horrible experiences in Nigeria in the last forty years." Nasik Danyel, a delegate sent by Ben Ammi, the Anointed Spiritual Leader of The Kingdom of Yahweh (House of Israel), Dimona, Israel, delivered a powerful message from his boss reaffirming his support for the Igbo people. It declared that "Ben Ammi is with the Igbo people," and bemoaned the tragedy that has befallen them. "You are suffering in Nigeria," he said, "because you have broken away from the covenant”

Origins

Some encounters I have made with persons of curious mind have challenged me into writing an article on my blog on this issue of the Origin of the Igbo in West Coast of Africa. In his recent article of Friday March 2, 2007 titled “Where did the Igbo come from?” Mazi Nweke wrote: “To make this view more acceptable, Olaudah Equiano, an Igbo ex-slave in London, who is said to have travelled widely, happens to be the first person to write about the Igbo tribe before his death in 1797. Equaino, in one of his findings, discovered that some names amongst the Igbos such as Uburu and even the “Igbo” itself are derived from Hebrew words. On the Igbo Landing ceremony a few years ago, on St. Simon's Island, Georgia, Rev. Fr Dr Aham Nnorom wrote, among other things: " According to Moreh Herman Taylor of the The Shalom (House of Israel), Dimona, Israel, delivered a powerful message from his boss reaffirming his support for the Igbo people. It declared that "Ben Ammi is with the Igbo people," and bemoaned the tragedy that has befallen them. "You are suffering in Nigeria," he said, "because you have broken away from the covenant”Congregation (House of Israel), Jackson, Mississippi, the Igbo Landing activities afforded him and his family the opportunity to "bond with my brothers who are members of the House of Israel…and have gone through horrible experiences in Nigeria in the last forty years." Nasik Danyel, a delegate sent by Ben Ammi, the Anointed Spiritual Leader of The Kingdom of Yahweh, said. With the foregoing and much more not included here, it is practically evident that the Igbo people of West Africa have lots in common with the Jews (Isrealites) It is on record that when some Jewish archeologists came to Igboland a few years ago, they found around Nri Town, Anambra State in Igboland, some ancient Jewish artifacts that proved to them, without any doubt of the origin of the Igbo people of Africa, who are believed to be part of the Jewish tribe that left the land of Israel into Africa during the last diaspora, went south of the Sahara and settled on the West Coast of Africa where they call home today. The Igbo people have not forgotten their roots nor has the State of Israel forgotten their kit and kin - Ndi Igbo. No doubt this discussion will continue.

20100426

Create?

It is either we are not serious or we decided to muddle the waters. Way back when the English Dictionary had the definition of the word "To Create" as: "to make something out of nothing; to bring into being or existence something that never existed, without the use of any outside help or instrument or adjunct" What do we hear/read/see today?; man has assumed the power "to create", seen by the random use of that sacred word that should be reserved to God, the Supreme Being/Creator of all that exists. You often read "created by Mr/Mrs .....". Doubtless, we have a range of word choices. What has happened to such words as: invent, discover, found, explored, initiated etc. Seems we have left those words to aliens so men could switch over to be "creators" of whatever. Wow, what an advancement in the world of created beings!! What a misnomer!!! Could this be the act and instrumentality of atheists, evolutionists or their like? Please could some person of real intelligence correct this, before we turn ourselves into something else.

20100104

"Boney M Maizie Williams"

20090906

Love of Giving



An associate and friend, Mrs Loree Collins, sent gifts of clothing through me to the less privileged as I travelled home to Mother Africa, this past August. Though I had more photos of the beneficiaries of the gifts, I could not download all of them. Wish I could, so all could share. The Nuns, their house helps, the orphans were all smiles in those photos. They prayed for their benefactoress, Mrs Collins, with very deep gratitude. Over and above all gifts, let us all pray for peace and justice in God's world that is under attack from opposing forces. God's reign will triumph in the end. May God be praised. Amen and Amen.

20090301

Gmail - Fw: Women's driving awards] - ukachuks@gmail.com

http://frusao1.blogspot.com


It is my hope this post gets into my blog page.

Onyeabor

20081127

Stephen C N

http://frusao1@blogspot.com

Hopefully this page comes through into my blog page.

Ukachukwu

20081021

Culture

Could this really be called a "Culture" issue? I am talking about modern day crave/rave for pleasure. Pain or anything that has to do with the cross/suffering is fought against and eliminated at all costs. Minimizing is no longer acceptable. In modern medicine, the pangs of birth and death are almost completely a non-issue. Sometime ago, some holy persons were known/said to die in the ardour of sanctity; these souls pass on very peacefully/quietly. Today this time of exit from this life, is chemicalized and or commercialized with drugs that eliminate that which even Christ divinized/shared. Pain. When Jesus cried from the cross: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani..." they thought he was asking for "a drink"; they offered him some pain relieving stuff: He politely declined/refused it. The God-Man wanted to go the whole length of His redeeming death. I, indeed sometimes wonder if I am getting crazy about this "God-talk". Sure, I am not. I am in full control of my sanity. Again, it is clear to me I am not a sadist: however I have some concerns about the rate at which we sell/buy into the hedonism that is plaguing our society. Perhaps it began from the Western hemisphere and spreading like wild fire, or perhaps from the Eastern. I do not know; God knows. It appears we are being overtaken by the jingles of TV/Radio/Newspaper ads. Think of the: "play, laugh, grow" advertisement that is directed to the kids. What is wrong in: "pray, laugh, grow"? Is it any wonder that the moral fabric of society is being eroded? I imagine God alone has an answer, but we've got to help Him to help us. I do not know; God knows. Should I keep my eyes shut and mouth sealed for the reason that "I am no better than the society I 'criticize'"? That will not be godly/prudent a stance. I believe the more I play the "prophet" to society in whose life I share, the harder my judgment will be. I am not afraid, though. I do all in love and concern, in the hope that God is ready to help each and all to achieve that for which we were made - heaven. A future blog story of "The python and the squirrel" may throw some light to this concern I have. In that life in/with God, we will play best, laugh best and grow completely into the Divine.

20081001

Happy Guardian Angel Day

Beloved Guardian Angel Ukachukwu,
My name is Ukachukwu, the one person His Divine Majesty entrusted to you on the 14th day of November, in the Holy Year 1950. It is so amazing that you have no other "job" except me. Since I came to the age of reason I have always thought of your duties towards me. In God's eternal and omniscient plan, you were born in eternity the day I was born in time. The Almighty Who inspired my parents to name me Ukachukwu, had same name for you. You were given the sole responsibility of taking care of, guiding, guarding, directing and protecting me, to God's glory. You have always done an outstanding job in this regard; unfortunately I have very many times failed you by not co-operating with your promptings to accomplish only God's Holy will. For those moments I failed you in God, I am awfully sorry. Tomorrow is a special day Holy Mother Church set apart for us humans to recall your presence in my life and thank God for your mission in my life. I will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving and Reparation to God. I will write you again soon; but please continue your Divine assignment towards me, your Namesake, Ukachukwu. Before I put my pen back into the ink pot, do permit me to thank and remind you of your most recent deed of protecting me. Remember I was on call this night and was paged to the Hospital. I guess you delayed my leaving my room by some minutes, only to come out at our gate to see an accident caused by and/or involving "racing" youths or adults, right outside of the gate. I could have been a victim of this terrifying scenario. I had goose bumps reflecting on your great acts of keeping me in safe places at the proper time. I cannot thank you enough nor can I thank God enough for giving me into your hands for safe-keeping. Thank You God for giving me to Your Angel Ukachukwu to take care of Your adopted son, Ukachukwu Onyeabor. I am awfully sorry for not always following his lead in doing Your Holy Will, in which is our peace, here and hereafter.
Ukachukwu Sebastian Azubuike Onyeabor (Rev. FR)

20080929

NAME

It is simply timely and providential that I should put to pen and paper this thought that has been brewing in my head for a long time now. These thoughts have been there before I wrote my first blog with the title "Information About Name". I said it is providential, because today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. God's providence assigns an angel to each of us at birth - our "Guardian Angel". That Angel has a name before God; invariably that angel assumes the name of the individual to whom he is assigned. As a matter of fact, my Guardian angel's name is UKACHUKWU, the name my parents were inspired to give me at birth. It was after 3 months that I was brought to the Church for Baptism and a Patron Saint's name, Sebastian, was given. What other name could have been given to my Guardian Angel? - Johnson, Smith, Paul, Vincent, Timothy, Benjamin, Jude, Sabinus, Raphael, George, Sebastian, Charles, Theodore, Augustine etc. Sure, none of the above. It could not be any of the foregoing for a typical Igbo boy born in/to an Igbo family that had desperately prayed and wished for a male child for my father: an only son with 4 female siblings. My argument is backed by saintly comments. Here is Pope St Gregory the Great on today's Feast: "Angels are known by proper names as well, to indicate their powers and their work. In that holy city where perfect knowledge is derived from the vision of Almighty God, if proper names are assigned to them, it is not that their persons could not be identified without names..." (2nd Reading for Office of Readings: Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels) My Guardian angel could not be known by another name as he was "born" the same with me. He has a responsibility before God on my account as I owe unflinching loyalty to him before God. He does only God's will, per sempre. He is God's "semper fi". I was born in time for a period in time; he was born in eternity and for all eternity in/with God. At the end of this life's journey, he will get me into the "choir of angels" to sing God's praises forever in my true home, heaven. This depends on if I persevere and imitate him in doing God's will here on earth. If unfortunately I decide to hate God, God forbid, and end up in hell, God forbid, this special angel of God remains forever in God's presence, adoring, praising and worshipping God. A.M.D.G.

20080923

Music For The Soul: Gregorian Chant, Recorded Sound: Music

Music For The Soul: Gregorian Chant, Recorded Sound: Music

It is my wish this great piece of Plain Chant comes off OK on my blog page. If it does not, please cut and paste the site on your browser.

Ukachukwu S. A. Onyeabor

20080920

Once Upon A Culture

Every individual is a product of a culture. In Anthropology, it is definitive that all cultures are equal, with no further distinction. It follows that there is no such thing as a superior culture. Culture is what makes the quidity of any people; what makes them integrally unique. Culture is what makes people who they are. A people's culture gets expressed in/and through, but not limited to their language, food/diet, dance, dressing, belief system etc. It is therefore ridiculous to hear or know of anyone think of or tell another that his/her culture is superior to the other person's. All colonial masters were very guilty and or ignorant of these basic reality in human history. It was common knowledge that all the people they met were bound to lose their own mother/native language. My people, the Igbo in West Africa were among the victims of white man's "domination" Whenever possible, and it was not argued, they forced the people to drop their language and embrace the English language, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German etc. Their pride gave itself away when this dominance began to show its ugly head; they had no apologies in dealing thus with the people. Even the missionary groups copied their civil counterparts in dealing rudely with the folks they came to "evangelise". They imported their canned and packaged food from Europe, America or Australia. For Baptism, for instance, they forced the people to take "English" names of Saints as their patron Saint. Even if the name has no substantial meaning in itself. The great Igbo names were sacrificed on the altar of "English" Saint names. Traditional Religion had no way of canonizing their own, otherwise I bet you that there were many saints among them. About food, since they import theirs from overseas and dared not try native food of the people they came to serve. They seem to have forgotten Jesus' injunction: "eat whatever is set before you." Definitely they will rationalize their actions in their assumed/presumed "superiority complex". Is it any wonder that the peoples of Africa were asked to drop their language/native tongue to learn that of the "stranger" who came to make gains/exploit their host nation/peoples.

20080915

Made In China

A day in the life of a Hospital Chaplain could be stressful as well as hilarious; it depends on how one handles the incidents that impinge on the individual. I enjoy what I do. I am a Roman Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. Every day is a new day of thanks and surprises. Each day opens with entrusting everything I do to God, the Almighty, to guide and direct. This short story calls for deep thoughts as to how our psyche functions and how we are wired/influenced by external forces:- On this eventful day, I walked into the hospital room of 58 year old Mrs M.G. Just about 3 minutes into our visit she showed me the "Get-well" cards she got since admission, two days prior. "This is from my grand-son" proudly showing me a card prepared by 6 year old, Bruce. What caught my attention, which, when I remarked about it, apparently did not mean much to Mr M.G, was: "Made In China" which little Bruce nicely put below his drawing of flowers and good-wish words to grandma. My concern is, Is this young man giving us a message or what? Is he throwing a challenge as to the direction of our economy? What message is he inspired to deliver through the medium of this card? The questions could be more. Please I need your input, answers and comments. I need help to appreciate and/or understand this young man.

20080910

I dearly, deeply and truly love gay/lesbian persons

One is often fascinated at what arguments go on among people of different cultural/religious leanings concerning those who claim to be gay or lesbian. I truly love them: they deserve to be loved. In the first place, God loves them, like He loves you and me, unconditionally. Once upon a time a friend of mine told me he had lunch with a gay couple. What surprised me was hearing the story of one of these men. He told this friend that from his childhood he found he was more attracted to little male kids like himself than to girls his age. He said his parents knew this was the case with him. Oh! this young man growing up felt he was meant to be gay all his life? Wow!!! The question will be: "what did the adult parents do in the awareness of this reality? On the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, this year, we read from Matthew's gospel account of Jesus' parable about the wheat and the cockle. (cf. Matt. 13:24-43) The operative words in this parable are: "while everybody was asleep, the enemy came and sowed the cockle" While everybody was asleep? Indeed when we are "asleep", when we are not awake to our sole responsibilities, we are overtaken by events that shame our wakeful state. In the case under perusal, I imagine the parents of this man did something, maybe they did not do enough or did not know Whom to run to. These lovely and lovable men and women, if at the early stages of growth they discover, as many of them claim, that growing up, they were more prone to and/or attracted to same sex persons, their parents should have been awake to take some steps to rectify things in their regard. Obviously it is the enemy. Call him whatever you will; whoever or whatever is responsible for this anomaly in the lives of men and women, that person or thing is not a friend, but an enemy of God and humanity. In the Holy Writ, shortly after creation, God said to man and woman: "Go, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it" God's holy will is that we populate the earth and not decrease; the plan of this "enemy of God and humanity is the direct opposite of God's injunction. The enemy puts "rationalization" into the minds of people to justify their actions, even when they go against the objective and original plan of the Creator. People would expect to hear the parents scream for help from God, the Church and a circle of good friends and neighbours. St Monica, mother of St Augustine is an example of such genuine cry for help. My Igbo people in Africa have this proverb: "ka e wepu aka enwe n'ofe, mgbe o ghobeghi aka nmadu". This literally translates to: "remove the monkey's hand from the soup before it turns to be a human hand" - a stitch in time saves nine. Not too long ago I was ministering to a Behavioural Health patient in a facility who told me similar story of being just formed that way from childhood. The bottom line is that someone/persons were asleep and the enemy sowed the bad seed that could bring mankind to extinction. Let us love the gay/lesbian persons very dearly, deeply and truly, but begin to pray seriously for the end of this misnomer. May God save His Church and children from this scourge. God help us. Amen.

20080831

The Cow and The Fly

Our course at this time in the University in Omaha, NE, had to do with violence and non-violence. I told my lecturer and colleagues this Igbo folklore about the Cow and the Fly. At the end of the story, our Prof. who is of Irish origin said: "No Father, that was an Irish folklore, not Igbo" Here goes the story, though: Once upon a long time ago, the animal kingdom tried to instill sanity in the kingdom. Careful and diligent observation showed that the cow flouted all the rules and bylaws. This upset the entire population of the animal kingdom. After a general meeting to which the cow decided to be absent, a resolution was made to send a one-animal emissary with a special message to the Cow. When most bigger animals declined, for fear the cow could kick the hell out of them, in anger, the fly volunteered to be the harbinger. On the eventful day, while the animals met at the village square, the cow stayed some distance away eavesdropping. At the end of the meeting the mother fly decided to immediately go on her agreed errand. She was yet to finish her message from the animal kingdom when the big cow stepped forward and crushed her into the mud that "glued" her wings which prevented her from flying out of danger and proximity of the cow, if threatened. On seeing that the fly has been crushed to death by the cow, the rest of the animals fled for dear life. Those living close to mother fly's home told her family and baby flies that it was the cow that killed their mother. The flies, as one, went to express their disapproval and grievance over the death of their mother at the hands of the cow. The cow did not show any remorse and so the flies swore not to give the cow or her children any rest all their life; hence they perch on the cow's nose, eyes, ears, tail etc. They perch on all vexing parts of the cow. They vowed to keep the cow miserable forever. Hence the fate of the cow till date. The morale of the story is that it is not by might but by mutual respect and understanding that we could co-exist, make progress and root out terrorism completely. Let's all work for peace, justice and love. God bless all who see need to eliminate violence in a world God wants us to "enjoy" before an everlasting abode.

20080724

Chant: Music For The Soul: Gregorian Chant, Recorded Sound: Music

Chant: Music For The Soul: Gregorian Chant, Recorded Sound: Music

There are still some souls in serious search for God in this apparently materialist world. These are the men and women whom Mother Church refers to as "The Power House of the Church" There is no mistake about this - they truly are. May God continue to preserve them and grant them the graces of perseverance in their vocation or reminding us that "This world in not our Home" no matter how good it may look, now.

20080409

Igbo Names: So Meaningful !!!

Ukachukwu Sebastian A. Onyeabor
350 N. Silverbell Road, Unit # A-21
Tucson, AZ 85745
Email: ukachuks@gmail.com
9th April, 2008


God's grace, peace and love be with all, now and always. Amen.
I thought it wise, once and for all to enter this article into my blog page so I could simply refer persons to this blog for further reading. This was triggered by people's expressed interest/curiosity, asking for the meaning of our Igbo names as well as mine. I have always found it an opportune moment to state with "pride" that our Igbo names have lots of meaning and significance. As found in Holy Scriptures: there is power in the word and/as in a name: they are significant. Which biblical name has no significance associated with it? When God enters into a covenant with His people or their leaders, there often follows a name change. Abram became Abraham and Jacob became Israel. In the New Testament Peter got a "new name" after his great confession. After the Resurrection, when Jesus called: "Mary !!" Magdalene knew exactly Who called her.

To those asking of my name: my first name is UKACHUKWU which could take either of these meanings = related to the Supreme Being (God); concern of the Supreme Being; business of the Supreme Being; issues of the Supreme Being etc. Till date, most of my Igbo people believe in the existence of many deities as well as the Supreme Being. One is aware that this is not peculiar to the Igbo people of Africa. St Paul encountered this in Athens. The small deities are called "chi" in Igbo, while the Supreme Being (God) is qualified with the word UKWU which means GREAT OR ALMIGHTY. So the Supreme Being is CHI-UKWU; however in writing GOD in IGBO language, we drop the first vowel "I" so we now have CHUKWU. Incidentally the Igbo word for PRIEST is Ukochukwu. Note the difference UKACHUKWU and UKOCHUKWU. To perform the role of an UKO is to be a go-between, a mediator, a middle person. At my priestly ordination my people said: "Ukachukwu aburula Ukochukwu" which means Ukachukwu has now become a priest of God. My family name (last name) ONYEABOR literally means: SECOND PERSON. This could be translated to mean either "a companion"; "a helper"; "an assistant"; "an associate"; "other half"; "an auxiliary" or "a back-up" It makes good sense when my people say: otu onye a naghi aga nta, which translates: "no one man goes hunting". For a successful gaming/hunting session, you need a companion so while one person is at one end, the other is at the other. No one person can be at both ends at the same time. "The crowd begins with a second person". My Igbo people do not generally acquiesce with a lone-ranger mentality; this is because they believe that power is in the group. "Igwe bu ike"

The Down Side: It was very very unfortunate that colonialism as well as a generality of early missionaries to Igbo land and other parts of the colonized/evangelized world felt/thought their language and/or religion was better/superior to those of the people they came to colonize or evangelize. Is there any doubt most of these places were taught to drop their language in favour of the language of the "white" man? One recalls when you were penalized for speaking in the vernacular; you could receive corporal punishment lest the teacher be fired by the "white" manager of schools. Later this took the form of financial fines. It is interesting to note that some very wise cultures who foresaw the effects of this, fought the white man's superior mentality. Such peoples insisted on their language and culture; today we see and read literature in those peoples' language and not first in English and then later in theirs.

Offended? This article is not meant to offend/upset anyone; by no means. Incidentally, we are victims of the English language seen as an easier means of expression. I could write faster in English than in Igbo language. The good news is that today a sizeable number of Igbo families in diaspora are waking up to be proud of the Igbo language. Some struggle to speak/teach to their children in their mother tongue. My Igbo people keep the flame of what we cherish - our Mother Tongue, burning bright. Peace to all, especially to those who read and appreciate this article.

Ukachukwu S. A. Onyeabor (Rev. Fr)