LAY CLARETIANS OF VICTORIA ISLAND VISIT IBEFUN MISSION

Saturday the 3rd of December, 2011, was yet another opportunity for members of the Lay Claretian Movement of Victoria Island, Lagos, to identify themselves with the activities of the Claretian Mission. It was a cool morning, the air was already showing signs of Christmas, with the Harmattan gradually beginning to settle in, the weather was just perfect for the outdoors.
The Ibefun Mission is located within the Ijebu-Ode Diocese, in Ogun State. Situated in a serene environment amidst a lot of greenery and foliage, there is something calming and refreshing about the atmosphere there. It is immediately perceivably, a farming environment, suggested by the harvested tubers of yam stacked around the base of a tree at the rectory and the intermittent gobbling sounds that rent the air, from some turkeys.
The group was received by the Superior of the Community and Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Rev Fr Francis Ilonwa, Cmf. While giving a brief history of the place, he took the visitors on a tour of the Church, which had been dedicated early in November, during the celebration of the Centenary Anniversary of the Advent of Catholicism in the Community. However, few days after, the roofing of the church had given way, caving in and destroying some parts of the church building in the process. While on the tour, the visitors met various members of the parish still working to clear the debris from the ruins. They were obviously undeterred by this ‘minor’ setback. The lay claretians gave words of encouragement to the Parish priest and members of the church, before setting out for the Postulate House.
Apart from the Chaplain of the Lay Claretians, others who were on this visit include- Ifeyinwa Osime, Peter Onyia, May Osaweme, Uche Maduabuchi, Chinelo Onyenekwu and Amaka Obiekezie, a lay claretian from Festac Parish. All were grateful to God and to everyone who had made the visit possible. It was yet another opportunity to see and support the activities of the Claretian Mission in the Delegation of West Nigeria.