June Chaplain’s Message
Dear Brother Knights,
I could not think of any other phrase as we come to the end of the year for priests than the phrase “BE NOT AFRAID”. We have this phrase several times in the Scripture, and Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew 14:27 urges us to persevere in the face of persecution, and so I find it pertinent to encourage my brother priests and God’s faithful people with the words of the Servant of God John Paul II at the inaugural mass of his papacy. He said “Be not afraid” let the present moment not deter you from giving your “all” to Him who has called you’. The Church in its 2000 years of history has thrived not only on the strengths of its holiness but also on the wounds of its weaknesses which have been purified. In the midst of all the difficulties and challenges facing the church, Jesus says to us “My hand upholds you, wherever you may fall, you will always fall into my Hands.
Although the year for priests has not been an easy one given the attacks on the Papacy and on priestly chastity and celibacy, I must confess that it has been a year of blessing for all of us. In different parts of the world, many have been ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations on its website www.usccb.org/vocations/classof2010 reports that 440+ men would have been ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ by the end of the year. In my diocese in Nigeria, Okigwe diocese, 12 will be ordained in August of this year. We witnessed the ordination of Fr. Francis Doyle and Fr. Dylan Schrader of our diocese, Jefferson City. These are signs to us that Christ will never abandon His church. These assures us of the Christ’s promise in the Gospel of Matthew 28:20 “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, UNTIL THE END OF AGE”
Brother Knights, let us to continue to pray for the church and for priests all over the world. I wish all a great summer vacation.
Rev. Benjamin Nwosu
Chaplain
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