St Anthony’s Guild celebrates patron saint

IT WAS a day of joy as members of  St. Anthony of Padua’s Guild, Awka  Deanery 1, celebrated their patron’s feast day. It is an annual event being celebrated in the whole world by the members of the guild.

    The event, held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, GRA, Awka, was indeed great as members from all the parishes from Awka Deanery 1 rallied rround for the celebration.

    The deanery chaplain, Rev Fr Joshua Chike Anaenye said that the actual feast day of St. Anthony is  June 13. He stated that the deanery celebrated in order to give people opportunity to know more about St, Anthony, who lived an exemplary life. He said, “we encourage people to join the society, to pray and participate fully. Pray, not for themselves but for all, so at last, we will be able to make heaven.”

    On his part, the Parish Priest of the host parish, Aquinas, Fr Francis Oranye, encouraged the members to spread the devotion to other people.

President, St. Anthony’s Guild, Awka Deanery 1, Chinedu Chikata expressed his joy for the success of the event.

    In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Sir Afam Afugbuem stated that everything about Aquinas Parish is a  blessing. He gave thanks to God for the great Saint, Anthony and advised the members thus: “let your devotion to St. Anthony be of prayer so that people will see you and know that you are members of the Guild.

    Rev. Sister Mary Jane Nnanna thanked God for St. Anthony , whom she said tried in the church and  is the founder of lost things.

 The Vice President of St. Anthony’s Guild in Aquinas Parish, Kingsley Ozor said:”St. Anthony is a great saint known with miracles, founder of lost things; if you have faith. We celebrate his feast on 13th of June in parishes, but Sunday following his feast, we celebrate in the deanery. So, it is Aquinas turn to host this year’s event”

  Lady Evlyn Okafor from Pope John Paul II Chaplaincy, Okpuno said that St. Anthony was good to them and that they were happy, while on his part.

   Another member, Gab Ikwunne explained St. Anthony as a lover of Christ, adding that the day was indeed special.

   In her vote of thanks, the President of St. Anthony’s Guild, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Prof. Tessy Anigbogu said : “ I thank God for everything. I also thank all here for coming. We are happy looking at our faces. May God who brought you here lead you back home safely”

  Highlights of the event include welcome song, cutting of cake, drama, etc.