At LACMON Convention, Martins inducts new CMO members

Over 5,000 men came together recently to renew their faith and confidence in the Almighty God, during the 2019 yearly convention of the Catholic Men Organisation Lagos Archdiocese. They were spiritually fed with the Lord’s Words from invited priests, who admonished them on the need to be upright as Catholic men, especially as they confront their daily life challenges.

At the Holy Mass to commemorate the end of its 2019 convention, the Episcopal Vicar and Dean of Mainland region, Monsignor Bernard Okodua, who represented the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Most Revd. Alfred Adewale Martins, urged church’s CMO members to ensure they live a good exemplary life so that their loved ones can emulate them by ensuring they attend mass daily.

Okodua, who implored them not to be every Sunday worshippers, but make worship their daily habit, said they should be their brothers’ keepers, as taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He charged all the men in the diocese to learn how to pray, as taught by Jesus Christ in Luke 1: 1-13.

The CMO’s President, Lagos Archdiocese, John Aigbokhaode in his address, explained that Nigeria’s circumstances and individuals’ condition informed the choice of the theme, Let’s Continue With Christ, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. He said the harsh economic situation in the country is not making life easy for citizens.

He said: “There is nobody protecting God’s children or helping to solve the economic challenges facing individuals. That was why we decided to return to the Source we could trust, hence the theme.

“Today, we are facing difficult terrain that is putting stress on our ability to be good family men; good leaders of our community. But are we struggling on our own? Please, let’s continue with Jesus, the way, the truth, and the Life, and we will surely see the difference.”

CMO members from over 153 parishes in Lagos attended the programme, and were taken through entrepreneurial seminars and how to survive in a hash economy.

The three-day event witnessed spiritual talks from the Director, Vincentian Retreat Centre, Ojodu, Revd. Father Benedict Okolo, who spoke on the Catholic man as a good shepherd.

The CMO Deanery Chaplain of Epe, Revd. Father Gabriel Iheanacho talked on CMO men as leaders of families and community, while Revd. Father Mario Dibie from Holy Family Adoration Ministry Uselle Uku, Delta State, rounded off the spiritual day with a night vigil, where he preached on “Let’s continue with Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.”

Other features include a gala night, confessions; quiz competition and the induction of over 2,000 CMO members and the inauguration of six new CMO parishes, while 18 deserving members were given awards in three categories, consistency, exemplary and excellence. St. Cyrian Oko Oba Agege was awarded the best parish in Lagos. Archdiocese and Ave Maria Ikate Lekki as the second-best Parish.