By Ohanele Casca.
The Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria, Ahiara Diocese celebrated their maiden diocesan youth day on Saturday 15th September, 2012 amidst pomp and pageantry. The one day celebration started with a holy mass presided over by the Ahiara Diocesan Administrator, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Theo Nwalo.
Delivering a homily at the mass which marked the beginning of the ceremony, Msgr Nwalo read to the youths, the importance of their theme: “Youths do not disappoint yourself – God loves you”. According to him, youth age is an opportunity or a period of doing something and becoming somebody of a renowned status. He continued that God loves them and has given to them his grace which the need to excel and champion of the society. God has strengthened you with versatile thinking brain, healthy mind and body, and other essential and potential gift they need to ascertain a height in the society.
He advised them on the need to be part of the winning team and indulge in healthy societal competition, saying that without having an ambition to survive in the midst of your co-equals competitors, you cannot be at the zenith.
He also warned them about joining groups with a negative influence like cults, in order to avoid group syndrome such as drug addiction, vandalization of government properties, armed robbery, kidnapping, etc. similarly, he advised them not to allow passion to come before their reasoning as in acting without a genuine reason.
He stressed that they should embrace the Catholic faith as God has called you his sons and daughters. But being children of God and also being on the quest to survive demands absolute faith in God. Just like Virgin Mary did not loose hope when her only issue was crucified, Jesus, her son was risen after his suffering and death by the most high, was exalted above other every other name, emulate Virgin Mary and do not loose hope but embrace pain before pleasure as Christ has taught us.
Further more, he admonished the special guest of honour to live a life worthy of emulation as the were chosen among many other affluent and political figures to serve a purpose.
During the service, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha duly represented by Hon. Raphael Nnanna member representing Ahiazu / Ezinihitte federal constituency said that he would provide the Diocese with a bus and a solar plant. He also said that the Owerri-Mbaise road and Enyiogugu-Aboh junction road has been awarded and will be reconstructed soonest. He said he was very happy for the youths, gathering themselves together and not only that, been among those awarded on the beautiful day.
Youths from different denary and parishes celebrated this youth day in glamour as they displayed their socio-traditional activities such as match pass, cultural display, drama etc. in the mach pass, St. Patrick’s Umuokirika took first.
The here different local government In the Diocese were on different vest colours fondly donated by some political figures from their local governments.
