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)
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!
Some of the members of the Congregation will be installed Acolytes on the 20th of Dec 2019 at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Nnewi by the Bishop of Nnewi diocese, Most Rev Dr Hilary Odilichukwu Okeke. That is not all, two, out of the ten (Kenneth Adimike and Ocheche Peter) will be ordained Deacons on the 21st of Dec 2019.
However, they had their Canonical retreat with Very Rev Fr Abel Agbulu CM, who led them through the spiritual journey for a period of one week. It was indeed a spirit-filled one as the candidates were happy with the retreat Moderator whose directions and approach was a unique one.
We therefore thank God for the opportunity and pray the good Lord to bless the Candidates as they advance to God’s throne.
15th of December (Gaudate Sunday) was the day the Lord has made. The Holy family sisters of the needy celebrated the day with their brothers; Holy family fathers and brothers of the youth HFFBY. This event was a remarkable one that began around 1:pm. The father founder Very Rev Fr DMJ Ononuju Obiaga Cssp was also present. During this celebration, the Father founder prayed and blessed his sons and daughters, encouraging them to always emulate our patron saints and always hold on to the unity and love in which the two congregations were born into.
The Coordinator Rev. Fr. Samuel Ezikwelu HFFBY also thanked the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy (Owerri Community) for making out time to be with their brothers. Other things that featured during this event were: Choral rendition, presentation of an award that was given to the Father Founder from Sierralone few weeks ago for his remarkable feet when he was there with them, dancing and light refreshment.
After the session, there was a group photograph with the founder and his sons (including priests) and daughters. It was an awesome occasion as we rejoiced in the spirit of awaiting the Christ savior who is to be born in our hearts.
It was a “Gauadate” celebration.
“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live in unity”
Having reached an essential milestone in their formative session, three (3)of our brothers made their first religious profession on the 8th of June 2019 at Holy Family Novitiate house in Okija. Their vows were received by the coordinator of the Congregation; Rev Fr. Samuel Ezikwelu HFFBY and in the presence of other confreres.
The Coordinator in his homily, laid bare the meaning of ‘vow’ and its consequences, stressing that vow taken, must be fulfilled. He equally encouraged them to pray more for God’s grace all the time, for cut off from him we can nothing (John 15:5).
