The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Kukah has today ordained three deacons for service in the Lord's vineyard and inaugurated the 2017 Marian Year Celebration as declared by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria.
The Ordinands presented by the Dean of Katsina Deanery, Rev Fr. Joseph Dube are Revds. Christopher A Omotosho, Ajibo Festus, Joseph Mokwe
Delivering the homily, Rev Fr. Sixtus Onuh congratulated the ordinands and highlighted to them the functions of a deacon in the church.
Quoting Acts 6:1-6, Fr. Sixtus said the Apostles had to appoint men filled with the spirit of God and full of wisdom to the diaconate ministry to share food and thus a ministry of service was born.
"The ministry is of service and obedience: to serve the church through the bishop and priests and the faithfuls"
In the ministry, if you finish one race, you are just beginning another, after diaconate, you continue your studies in the seminary till you are ordained priest and when you are then you begin a new life. You are not there yet,
there's always a BA certificate waiting for you: Begin again. You begin a new life.
"You will be ordained as ministers of the word of God, to proclaim the word of God not the word of man. As deacons, there's need for some adjustment: new way of dressing, new way of behaviour. Your life will have to radiate the glory of God."
"You will no longer be addressed as brother but reverend. The title of Reverend has challenges and responsibilities. There's a decorum for this new stage of life you are beginning.
The people of God will always pray for you after all you've been with them all the time."
"The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few Matt 9:37 the diocese of sokoto needs more labourers. There are more grounds to cover and today we are adding three deacons to the number." Fr. Sixtus said.
After conducting the rite of the ordination of the Deacons, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Kukah formally inaugurated and declared open the 2017 Marian year celebration which marks the centenary of Mary’s apparition to the Three Shepherd children of Fatima in Portugal 1917.
The Bishop highlighted the events for the 2017 Marian Year Celebration in the Diocese.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. (Capt) Stephen C. Okafor, the Cathedral Administrator welcomed and appreciated the bishop for ordaining the deacons. He also thanked the faithful for coming to celebrate with the Church.
