MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

I wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2013. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, the beginning of the history of our redemption. Since time immemorial, God had promised through the lips of prophets that he would send us Emmanuel, born of a Virgin. In him, our salvation would be guaranteed. That promise reaches its realization at Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary.

It is very easy to answer the question, "What do we celebrate at Christmas?" at a very peripheral level. True, we celebrate the birth of Christ, but much more, the incarnation - God becoming man. We also celebrate, in anticipation, the Second Coming of Christ. The first coming, that is, his birth, already took place, but we await the second coming with eager expectation, when Christ will appear in his glory to judge mercifully, and save all those who have answered his call faithfully.

Since we await Christ's coming, we celebrate now, in commemoration, his birth which already took place. This celebration expresses our faith, our love, our unity and solidarity with God's people all over the world. We come together as families and friends to share our peace and joy which Christ brings. Through the exchange of gifts, we commemorate Christ who gave himself for us all, by shedding his own blood on the Cross for our salvation. Christ's gift to us is the gift of himself that brings peace and joy.

In order to receive Christ in our hearts, we need to be a peaceful people ourselves. Christ is our peace. Let us have peace so that we can be able to give peace to others. But how can we give peace to to others when, first, we are not at peace with ourselves? Second, we are not at peace in our homes? We must always find  reason to forgive and accept apology in order to have peace. May this Christmas period be a fruitful one for all of us as we seek to be a peaceful people.

I wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2013. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, the beginning of the history of our redemption. Since time immemorial, God had promised through the lips of prophets that he would send us Emmanuel, born of a Virgin. In him, our salvation would be guaranteed. That promise reaches its realization at Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary.

It is very easy to answer the question, "What do we celebrate at Christmas?" at a very peripheral level. True, we celebrate the birth of Christ, but much more, the incarnation - God becoming man. We also celebrate, in anticipation, the Second Coming of Christ. The first coming, that is, his birth, already took place, but we await the second coming with eager expectation, when Christ will appear in his glory to judge mercifully, and save all those who have answered his call faithfully.

Since we await Christ's coming, we celebrate now, in commemoration, his birth which already took place. This celebration expresses our faith, our love, our unity and solidarity with God's people all over the world. We come together as families and friends to share our peace and joy which Christ brings. Through the exchange of gifts, we commemorate Christ who gave himself for us all, by shedding his own blood on the Cross for our salvation. Christ's gift to us is the gift of himself that brings peace and joy.

In order to receive Christ in our hearts, we need to be a peaceful people ourselves. Christ is our peace. Let us have peace so that we can be able to give peace to others. But how can we give peace to  others when, first, we are not at peace with ourselves? Second, we are not at peace in our homes? We must always find  reason to forgive and accept apology in order to have peace. May this Christmas period be a fruitful one for all of us as we seek to be a peaceful people.

THANK YOU

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mary Ann Sorra and Jack Reybold. We often speak of God as if he so distant away from us. Sometimes, we even pray and expect God to stand infront of us and offer the solutions to our problems. We forget to know that God, who became man in Jesus Christ, acts in and through his people. God answers our prayers mostly through other people, but sometimes we fail to listen to their  good advice, and in so doing we fail to listen to God.

Mary Ann Sorra and Jack Reybold have been there for me. I see my dreams coming true because of people like this. They are an answer to my prayers. They go an extra mile to help even when they have their own problems to solve. Lord, bless and reward them with their hearts' desires. Amen.

The existence of this blog is their effort. They continue to stand behind me to see that all I do is successful. My prayer is that all those who would read this blog would be touched by the stories therein.

Twin Celebration:Birthday and Graduation

I felt really privileged that the arrangement of the graduation date fell on my actual birthday. I see the 'hand of God' in all these and wonder how many people had such a privilege as I did. Thursday, May 10th is a day for me to remember. At 7.30pm the ceremonies of graduation commenced with such grandeur that words cannot adequately express. My almost two years at St. Mary's Seminary and University yielded great fruits in my life. I graduated with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. I can only knee down and thank God for his kindness.

I am equally grateful to those who could make to the graduation, those who prayed at a distance, those who offered material, spiritual and moral support; may God abundantly reward you. I could not have everyone come because of the restrictions. I hope you all do understand.

Pray for me as I continue to search for a school to do the PhD program. Once more, may God bless all of you out there. I still continue to ask for your support so that I can be able to help the numerous children out there who aren't going to school.

'THANK YOU' TO THE STAFF MEMBERS OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY'S PARISH, LOCH RAVEN BLVD

I was amazingly delighted when Fr. Michael Carrion, the pastor of Immacualte Heart of Mary's parish, told me that the staff members have donated in support of my school in Cameroon. This was their Christmas gift to help the neediest children go to school. I am so grateful to Fr. Mike, and all those in his team who supported me in this venture.

I see the image of Christ reflected in this priest, in all that he does:being totally committed to his parish, and serving God faithfully in loving and serving others,  praying, and playing when he has to do that, welcoming, and serving everyone joyfully, celebrating the sacraments with faith and enthusiasm. May God bless Fr. Mike, as most of his parishioners call him.

Personally, my gratitude to him is beyond what words can express. He has accommodated me as one has he had known long ago, but he knew me on in October, 2010. I will forever pray for you, Fr. Mike.

Once more, thank you and your team for everything. St. Teresa of Avila said, "This is what we must strive for earnestly, to be affable, agreeable, and pleasing to persons with whom we deal..." This is reflected in what you do. May God bless you.

The world needs this language of love. Christ commands us to speak this language practically. Every act of love toward the exile, the outcast, the stranger, is considered done to Christ. The rewards of those who do so await them. God our Father, bless all those who reach out to those in need with an abundance of what they have, with good health of mind and body, that they may continue to have the strength to do so. Amen

Help to the Needy

This is someone's "house" in one of the remotest areas of the Diocese of Kumbo. This house serves as a kitchen, a bedroom, a parlor, a store room etc. The roof is made of grass which dries up during the dry season and leaks when the rains come. My appeal is not to build houses for these people, but to educate the neediest children. Education is the only thing that will give a bright future to the future generations. Please, your support will be highly appreciated.

On December 25th  2011, Christmas Day, while in Carroll, Iowa for the Christmas break, someone from my former Parish, St. Kizito's Parish, Sabongari, Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon, called me on phone excitedly to tell me that he and his children were able to eat some slices of meat because it was Christmas Day. I could not control my tears, thinking of where I was at that moment, living in affluence as I can say because I have never lived such a life before, where I have what I need almost at every time I need it. Out there,  were people "boasting" of having eaten meat on Christmas Day, and perhaps they will eat meat again only the next Christmas. I felt like not to eat again, but this would not be the right attitude; for I need to be strong in order to help others.

 All I can do is to channel the little I have, the little I am given for the education of the neediest children in my village, parish, diocese and country. How am I going to do this without any means? I have been doing it, and it is working because there are a number of generous people out there who are sympathetic, and who want to help. May God reward and replenish your efforts.

 I trust in the power of God, who will lead willing hearts to donate to the support these numerous children in their education.
May God bless you all.