Materdomini Novitiate community had been a beehive of activities the past few weeks.
Investiture
The first in the month of March was the investiture of the novices: 5 Nigerians and 2 Ghanaians. This took place on the 13th of March 2013. The presider and homilist for the day was the Novice Master who is also the Superior of the House, Fr. Boniface Nnaike, C.Ss.R. The investiture was combined with the mass and devotion to our Mother of Perpetual Help. Some members of the worshipping communities were supportive with their presence.
Newly invested Novices (L-R): Kingsley Ekezie, Peter Oteng and Paul Opoku (both Ghanaians), Peter Onyeno, Henry Imonisa, Temitope Adu, Patrick Onyia
Lenten Retreat and Easter
Secondly, in preparation for the Easter celebration, the students had a four day retreat during the Holy Week. It was preached by our own dear father, Richard Thiele, C.Ss.R. The retreat began Tuesday, March 26, 2013 and ended Friday 29, 2013. It was a spirit filled retreat and the community was immensely blessed. Thank you, Fr. Richard Thiele!
Fr. Thiele with some of the Prenovices (L-R): Goodluck Imomion, Ochuko Daphey, Lawrence Ekenze
Pastoral Visitation
On Thursday, March 3, 2013, the Vice Provincial, Fr. Callistus Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R and Fr. Celestine Okah, C.Ss.R paid a pastoral visit to the Materdomini formation community. He was warmly welcomed by the confreres. He had separate audiences with the brothers (in the afternoon) and the formators, Frs. Boniface Nnaike and Paul Ikeh (in the evening). Also, there was a meeting with the constituted members of the building committee. This was to look into the proposed Novitiate building. Work has already begun with the fencing, clearing and leveling of the property. We trust that the God of providence would aid in the completion of this project.
The next day, Friday, March 4, Fr. Callistus celebrated mass with the members of the community and some of God’s people who worship with us. After the mass, we had group photograph just outside of the chapel (in front of its entrance). With the pictures taken, the Vice Provincial concluded his pastoral visitation to Materdomini House of Formation. We wish the Vice Provincial and his council members grace, wisdom and strength. Amen!
The Vice Provincial, Fr. Callistus Nwachukwu, flanked by Fr. Boniface Nnaike (L) and Fr. Paul Ikeh (R) with the Novices
The New Novitiate Project
The Vice Province has begun the project of building the New Novitiate House of formation. This house is located in the south eastern part of Nigeria (precisely at Aluu-Nike, Enugu State). Fencing, clearing and ground leveling has begun at the site. Work is in progress though we are still at the very beginning phase. We trust God to successfully complete this project. The brothers have been gracious in their support of the work. We thank all the brothers in our various communities especially Frs. Boniface Nnaike, Celesine Okah, bro. Vincent Ehugbo, and other members of Materdomini Community. Thank you, brothers. God bless you! We equally thank and bless God for our friends and relations who have been supportive. The pictures tell the rest of the story below.
Fathers at the site: (L-R) Boniface Nnaike, Richard Thiele, Emmanuel Onyeriri
