On the 26th of Feb 2022, the Congregation welcomed over 190 Aspirants in the Generalate. Some came from different places and dioceses like Otukpo, Abakiliki, Ogun, Lagos, Abuja, Aba, Calabar, Cross Rivers, Onitsha, just to mention but a few, to harken to that inner voice, urging them to answer the call of the Lord.
The essence of the Conference is to intimate them about the Congregation, her spirit, charism, and Apostolate. This is to enable them have a clear picture of what they are about to begin and the best way to approach it.
The Conference began at 11am with the opening prayer led by the Secretary General: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Tochukwu Igwe, HFFBY.
The Moderator of the Conference, Rev. Fr. Leonard Ayogu, HFFBY (Vocation Director), led bare to the Aspirants all they needed to know about the Congregation. After the Conference, there were series of questions from the Aspirants.
The Conference ended at about 12mins after 2, with the closing prayer by the Vocation Director, Rev. Fr. Leonard Ayogu, HFFBY.
Other features of the Conference includes:
A brief entertainment and light refreshment
A brief loo at the new Edition of the Congregation
Sight seeing (for those who wants to see our farm and piggery farm)
The Holy Family Fathers and Brothers of the Youth – HFFBY and the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy – HFSN, had a successful one year Memorial of our Founder, Very Rev. Fr. D.M.J. Ononuju Obiaga Cssp, of blessed Memory.
This day was honoured by many religious and diocesan priests who came to bear witness to the life of Fr Denis.
The Chief Celebrant was the Auxilliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Denis Chidi Isizoh. My Lord, we are most grateful. We cannot forget our benefactors and benefactresses, whose presence cannot be forgotten.
It was indeed a great day of joy for our Congregation on the 24th of July 2021, as eight of our Deacons were ordained Catholic priests by his Grace Most Rev. Dr Valerian M. Okeke (Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese), at Christ the King Parish Okija.
In his Homily, the Archbishop admonished the would be priests to always pattern their lives after the life of Christ, bearing in mind that they are now another christ (alter christus).
HFFBY media was able to interview some of the parents of the newly ordained priests, whose hearts were filled with joy. They thanked God for the gift of the mother church and prayed for their sons. Asking God to always lead them and grace them with all the necessary enablement as they work in His vineyard.
The Archbishop after the Ordination Mass, presented a precious gift to the eight newly ordained priests, urging them to pray always and not to loose heart.
Fr. Emmanuel Tochukwu Igwe, HFFBY
Fr. Emmanuel Chukwujekwu, HFFBY
Fr. Ibekwe Blaise Ugoeze, HFFBY
Fr. Mmadueke Mark, HFFBY
Fr. Nchegha Paschal, HFFBY
Fr. Francis Okeke, HFFBY
Fr. Francis Okpala, HFFBY
Fr. Okolie Oscar Chukwunonso, HFFBY
Congratulations to you our newly ordained priests!
The 1st Ordinary General Chapter of our Congregation was convoked in line with the norms of our Constitutions, and following series of consultations and discernment processes, and in communion of the
holy spirit.
It was a great historic event as the Congregation held her first maiden General chapter from Monday, 1st to Friday, 5th March, 2021.
Gracious thanks to:
Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Odili Okeke
Very Rev. Fr. Wenceslaus Madu (Former Provincial Superior CMF South East Province)
Very Rev Fr Dr Titus Nnabugwu (Canonist)
Rev Mother Mary Anastasia Dike, DDL (Observer)
Sr. Joannes Uzoma, HFSN (Observer)
To this end, the first Superior General of the Congregation was elected: Very Rev. Fr. Franklin Osita Okafor, HFFBY. Thus, having satisfied the provisions of our Holy Constitutions, Art 15.10, he was declared duly elected for a tenure of three (3) years Art. 13.3 by the Presiding Minister, Most Rev Dr Hilary Odili Okeke, Bishop of Nnewi on this day, 4thMarch 2021.
The councilors were also elected. They are to work closely with the Superior General to help lead the confreres. Through their worthy, exemplary and selfless services, they are to cooperate with the Superior General to make Christ truly seen in the lives of the entire Congregation trusting in the light of the Holy Spirit.
The burial preparation of Very Rev Fr Denis Mary Joseph Ononuju Obiaga CSSp.
It all started with the Vigil mass that was celebrated at the home of our Founder in Okija. The Mass started at at 5pm by the Chief shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi; Most Rev Dr. Hilary Odili Okeke. However, a lot of priests were equally present, both Okija indigenous priests and the priests of Holy Family Fathers and Brothers of the Youth (HFFBY). That is not all, the Holy Family sisters of the needy(HFSN) were also present. The cross section of the faithful were the people of Okija who have gathered to bear witness to the saintly life of Fr Denis.
In his Homily, Rev Fr Anthony Ejeajuonye laid bare the emulating life of Fr Denis Obiaga, whose life of humility, simplicity, love for souls and humanitarianism has been a thing to be grasped. He equally beckoned on all Okija people to always hold on to that light, which Fr Denis has first lighted by been the first indigenous priest in Okija.
Above all, he enjoined the two families that was founded by Fr. Denis Obiaga CSSp; The Congregation of Holy Family Sisters of the Needy (HFSN) and Holy Family Fathers and Brothers of the Youth (HFFBY) to always emulate the life of their Founder whose life was a light to humanity.
At the end of the Mass, the Bishop thanked all present and equally beckoned on all to continue praying for the happy repose of Fr Denis; a priest and a Founder who without trace of fear, lives among us, though he is dead.
The Mass ended about 7:10pm.
May the soul of Fr Denis M.J. Obiaga and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
