Confraternity of Christian Mothers Honours AtlanticNewsonline Editor, 18 Others In Lagos

By Rossie Tam-West

The Confraternity of Christian Mothers at Christ The King Catholic Church, Akowonjo in Lagos Archdiocese on Sunday honoured the Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of AtlanticNewsonline, Mr. Frank Oshanugor with award as an Ambassador of Christ.

It was a double honour as Oshanugor who is also the Editor-in-Chief of SECURITY EXPRESS and WATCHOUT Magazines was made to chair the occasion which was held at the event hall of the Church.

No fewer than eighteen others were also honoured with awards in different categories at the 10th Solemn Reception/Renewal of Vows and Presentation of Award ceremony.

The awardees included Arch.(Mrs) Bridget Osagie, Lady Cecilia Ezeakacha both of whom were honoured as outstanding mothers. Hon. (Princess) Patcy Eke-Oparaku and Mrs. Ijeoma Agu were honoured as Ambassadors of Mary while Mrs. Rhoda Agbeyo was honoured as Adorable Daughter of Zion.

Leading the pack of awardees honoured as Amiable Daughters of Mary was Mrs. Ifelunwa Aipoh whose husband; Dr. Emmanuel Teddy Aipoh of St. Luke’s Medical Centre, Suru-lere described as “adorable.” Others in her category included Mrs. Philomena Okure, Mrs. Emilian Ukamaka Ozoegwu, Mrs. Franca Ifechukwu, Lady Ann Onah Uzonwanne, Mrs. Caroline Okwo, Mrs. Angela Achugbue and Mrs. Obydiya Idika.

Others included Mrs. Mercy Ugwu, Lady Florence Amaka Okpe, Mrs. Christine Okhiria and Mrs. Vera Real Olushola.

Earlier in his sermon at the church service which preceded the reception and award presentation, the Parish Priest; Rev. Fr. Ignatius Okoligwe had challenged the women who were received into the Confraternity of Christian Mothers to see themselves as workers in the vineyard of God whose contributions towards building the family would go a long way in creating a better society.

He harped on the inevitability of challenges in life’s journey as captured in the First Reading of the service taken from 1 Kings 19 Vs. 4-8. He said what makes a good Christian is the ability to face challenges with equanimity, rising up again after any fall.

He admonished the newly inducted Christian Mothers to be mindful of their attitude towards Eucharist, pointing out many Christians no longer key into Eucharist.

In her welcome address at the reception, President of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Christ The King Catholic Church, Akowonjo, Mrs. Ezeuzoh Maryann Chinwendu said the organization is a pious society in the Church with the main objective of “bringing together wedded Catholic women under one spirit of love and prayer.”

The President explained further that as apostles of love and oneness, the Confraternity which has been in existence since two decades now, apart from contributing to church projects, has helped in releasing of some categories of prisoners, providing material needs to Orphanage and Old People’s homes.

In his remark as Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Frank Oshanugor appreciated the spirit of oneness that exists among the Confraternity members and encouraged the newly inducted members to always appreciate the uniqueness of their marriages and promote the centripetal elements that would make the marriages in their uniqueness to work successfully as no two marriages are the same. “Do not compare your marriage with others as your husbands are different creatures with different characteristics. Every woman should learn to understand her husband very well and create a peaceful ambience that would make him love her all the time,” he advised.

The AtlanticNewsonline publisher also encouraged the Confraternity members never to get tired in giving material, moral and financial assistance no matter how small, to the less privileged around them as the Bible has expressly advised that the strong shall protect the weak.

About twenty five “new mothers” were officially received and inducted into the Confraternity by the Parish Priest during which consecrated medals were distributed to them. The medal symbolises allegiance to Blessed Virgin Mary – a sort of pledge of their service to her.

Husbands of the “new mothers” were largely in attendance to support their wives morally and financially towards making the event great. A good number of them spoke about their wives in glowing terms when they were given opportunity to speak.