Delegates at the Provincial assembly SSL NIGERIA PROVINCE...

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Newsletter of Sisters of St. Louis, Nigeria Province 30 APRIL 2019 In this issue: Provincial Assembly 2019 St. Louis Hospital, Owo, Hosts “1000 Free Surgeries” First Plenary of Diocesan/Religious Directors of Communication in Nigeria Akpassi Community Hosts Aspirants Live-in For the Record: The New Bakkita Empowerment Centre St. Louis Crest Our Mission Statement Heart of the Matter Gallantry! Spring! Contact Newsletter 1 Delegates at the Provincial assembly SSL NIGERIA PROVINCE ASSEMBLY 2019 A ll the delegates to the SSL Nigeria Provincial assembly arrived at Abbe Louis Bautain Retreat and Cathecatical Centre, Ijebu, Ogun State on Monday, 22 April , 2019 for the Provincial assembly which kicked off the following day, 23 April 2019. The facilitators, Sisters Gabrielle Staut (RSM) and Mary Harrington (SUSC) (both from Ireland), the representatives of the Central Leadership Team, Sr. Winifred Ojo and Josephine Apagyei, and members of the Provincial Leadership Team had all arrived at the venue earlier ahead of the delegates in preparation for the assembly. The assembly started with the opening ritual where by each delegate to the assembly was called by name into the assembly hall by the representative of the Central Leadership Team, Sisters Winifred Ojo and Josephine Apagyei; they handed to each Sister, the assembly file. The facilitators were in turn invited by the Provincial Leader, Sr. Isabel Mann who also handed the assembly file to each of them. According to the criteria of sitting arrangement as read out by Sr. Bridget Agum, delegates were to ensure that they were not sitting round the same table with those of their set, the same community, Sisters on temporary vows, finally professed, young and old. Every table was to be well mixed for by Anthonia Eneanya SSL continued on page 2

Transcript of Delegates at the Provincial assembly SSL NIGERIA PROVINCE...

  • Newsletter of Sisters of St. Louis, Nigeria Province

    30 APRIL 2019

    In this issue:● Provincial Assembly

    2019● St. Louis Hospital, Owo,

    Hosts “1000 FreeSurgeries”

    ● First Plenary ofDiocesan/ReligiousDirectors ofCommunication inNigeria

    ● Akpassi CommunityHosts Aspirants Live-in

    ● For the Record: TheNew BakkitaEmpowerment Centre

    ● St. Louis Crest● Our Mission Statement● Heart of the Matter● Gallantry!● Spring!

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    Delegates at the Provincial assembly

    SSL NIGERIA PROVINCEASSEMBLY 2019

    All the delegates to the SSL Nigeria Provincial assembly arrived at AbbeLouis Bautain Retreat and Cathecatical Centre, Ijebu, Ogun State onMonday, 22 April , 2019 for the Provincial assembly which kicked off thefollowing day, 23 April 2019. The facilitators, Sisters Gabrielle Staut (RSM) andMary Harrington (SUSC) (both from Ireland), the representatives of the CentralLeadership Team, Sr. Winifred Ojo and Josephine Apagyei, and members of theProvincial Leadership Team had all arrived at the venue earlier ahead of thedelegates in preparation for the assembly. The assembly started with the opening ritual where by each delegate to theassembly was called by name into the assembly hall by the representative ofthe Central Leadership Team, Sisters Winifred Ojo and Josephine Apagyei; theyhanded to each Sister, the assembly file. The facilitators were in turn invited bythe Provincial Leader, Sr. Isabel Mann who also handed the assembly file toeach of them. According to the criteria of sitting arrangement as read out bySr. Bridget Agum, delegates were to ensure that they were not sitting round thesame table with those of their set, the same community, Sisters on temporaryvows, finally professed, young and old. Every table was to be well mixed for

    by Anthonia Eneanya SSL

    continued on page 2

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    Cover

    better experience. The assemblywas formerly declared opened bySister Isabel Mann, the ProvincialLeader as she lit the candle. Welcoming all who werepresent at the assembly, Sr. IsabelMann welcomed and introducedthe assembly secretaries as SistersBridget Nwankwo, RoselineOgunbanwo and Laurencia Daniel.The resource person, SisterMargaret Petirin, and the ProvincialSecretary, Sr. Fidelia Amoko werealso welcomed and introduced tothe assembly. Sister Isabel Manndescribed the assembly as a sign ofgrowth being that it was theseventh assembly of the Province. Addressing the delegates, theInstitute Leader, Sister Winifred Ojo

    said that the CLT were present asobservers. The essence was toaccompany the delegates in thediscernment process beforenominations and to help clarifyissues on Governance, Policies, etc.And also to help in the furtherdiscernment of the CLT as the spiritleads. The purpose of the assemblywas reiterated every day by thefacilitators to keep the assembly infocus. It read: to enable Sisters ofSt. Louis of the Nigeria Provinceto continue the process ofcommunal discernment todetermine who it is the Provincewishes to nominate for ProvincialLeadership. Each day of theassembly started with the sacrifice

    of the Holy Mass, faith sharing orindividual reflection and groupsharing. The presence of the delegateswas appreciated by Louisville GirlsHigh School, represented by someSenior School Students whosesentiments were expressed in alarge size greeting card. Amidst thereflective and prayerful aura of theassembly was the prayer birthdaywishes for Sister Maria Ehikioyawhose birthday falls on April 26. The assembly was declaredclosed after the vote of thanks bySister Isabel Mann as sheextinguished the candle light onApril 27.

    PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY —continued from page 1

    Sr. Isabel Mann inviting Sr. Mary Harrington (SUSC) into the assembly hall

    Students of LGHS with Sisters Isabel Mann, Gabrielle Staut (RSM) and MaryHarrington (SUSC)

    Sr. Josephine Apagyei representative of CLT inviting Sr. Patricia Ebegbuleminto the hall

    Sr Maria Ehikioya is celebrated on her birthday during the assembly; flankingher (L-R) are: Sisters Josephine Apagyei, Gabrielle Staut (RSM), MaryHarrington (SUSC) and Winifred Ojo

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    Special Report

    3

    1. INTRODUCTIONThe free surgical operation, tagged JOURNEY TO 1000FREE SURGERIES IN NIGERIA held at St. Louis CatholicHospital, Owo, Ondo State from to 8 March 2018 wassponsored by Telma Westhood Foundation inconjunction with Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation(BOF) as the health facilitating team and St. LouisCatholic Hospital as the host. Sr Grace Iwok it was whoreceived the good news on behalf of the hospitalmanagement. Preparation for the programme hadstarted with registration as far back as early Februarytill 1 March when the health team arrived St. LouisHospital, Owo. The awareness that was put in place forthe free health scheme at every entry point of the townwas very effective. People trouped out from Owo andher environs. The paramount ruler of the ancient townwas instrumental too. Ordinarily, the free scheme wasplanned to be from 2 March to 8 March 2019 but thesurgical team could not leave until 10 March, stillattending to people.

    2. ARRIVALThe medical team led by Benjamin OlowojebutuFoundation arrived St. Louis Catholic Hospital on Friday1 March 2019, a day before the commencement of theprogramme in other to put in place every measure thatwould aid its smooth running. The team of 13 medicalpersonnel was led by Dr. Benjamin and other logisticpersonnel. On their arrival, the management team ofSLCH led by Sr. Martina Ariyo took them round thedifferent wards and sections where they would work:The Theatre, Reception, General Out PatientDepartment, Laboratory. And finally, they were takento the Guest Room to relax in preparation for the nextday. The team began work in earnest the next day. Theymet their first patients at the General Out PatientDepartment where they all welcomed BenjaminOlowojebutu Foundation (BOF) and other St. LouisCatholic Hospital staff.

    3. THE BUSINESSGreat minds with good intention always have positiveinfluence on the society, this was the exact picture of

    by Martina Ariyo SSL

    One of surgeries carried out in the theatre by Dr. Benjamin and his medical team. Standing by the left is Sr. Ariyo Martina.

    continued on page 4

    ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL, OWO HOSTS“JOURNEY TO 1000 FREE SURGERIES IN NIGERIA”

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    the free surgery scheme. The process of theadministration of the scheme was as follows:

    A. Registration: The patients were given registrationnumbers, which guaranteed access to any of thesurgeries they came for.

    B. Medical Assessment: Before setting each patientfor a particular surgery, the doctors made factualmedical and clinical assessment on the patient todiagnose and determine the kind of surgery suchpatient needed.

    C. History Taking: A pre-attention history (family,medical, social, etc.) vital for further follow up wastaken.

    D. Laboratory Investigations: For the very bestsurgical operations to the patients, they were askedto run certain laboratory analysis which wouldassist in operating on them.

    E. Surgery: After executing the above listed steps, themajor business of the moment which was surgicaloperation sets in with full force. At this point, allmedical personnel zenith their preparation for thesurgeries that took place for seven days. Being themost sensitive part of the scheme, all patients weresensitised prior the section. Surgery of many typesof conditions including Hernia, Fibroid, Lipoma andBreast Lump were done for people based onmedical assessment. Over 20 people wereoperated on in the first two days. A total of 108patients had surgery out of the 300 people thatregistered for the scheme. The 92 left were not

    operated on either because the pre-surgeryprocess showed that they needed other types ofmedical procedure or further findings were needed.

    F. The medical team worked resiliently each day ofthe programme with just two hours break. Doctorsfrom Federal Medical Centre, Owo and GeneralHospital, Owo later joined the workforce when theyheard the gospel of the free surgery from peoplein the town and environs.

    4. ON THE SCHEME OCCURRENCESA. Sponsor’s Visit: The sponsor of the scheme, Telma

    Westhood, was present to supervise and have anoversight of the program for a couple of days. Hegave kudos to all the medical team, including thosewho joined in from Federal Medical Centre, Owoand General Hospital, Owo.

    B. External Workforce: As earlier stated, giftedhands from public medical institutions came tolend a hand in ensuring swift discharge of safesurgical operations.

    C. Host Hospital Administrator’s Visit: TheProprietor and Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese,His Lordship Rt. Rev. Jude Arogundade, Rev. Fr.Matthew Ologun and other members of theadministrative body of St. Louis Catholic Hospitalalso came to appreciate the team for theirhumanitarian service.

    D. Post-Surgery Cares: After diverse surgicaloperations were carried out on those who neededthem, free medication was also given to all and

    continued on page 5

    Special Report

    FREE SURGERY SCHEME —continued from page 3

    Dr. Benjamin (standing, far left) with his medical team with Sr. Ariyo Martina (right) and few hospital staff unfolding to thepatients the motive of the free surgery

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    Special Report

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    sundry based on the classes of medicines theyneeded to keep the treatment follow-up intact.Nevertheless, all patients operated were told tocome for a few days follow-up.

    5. MOTIVE AND EXPECTATION OF THE SCHEMETelma Westhood sponsored the scheme to help theless privilege or the poor people in society whoordinarily cannot afford the high cost of surgicaloperation. From findings, many of those who benefitedfrom the free surgeries said they had been battling withdiscomfort, disfiguration and malfunction of their bodyfor many years without hope. Suddenly, hope came,tangibly! Indeed, Telma Westhood and BenjaminOlowojebutu Foundation were fulfilled.

    6. REFERRALSOther health conditions not included in the healthscheme but brought by various people were referredto Federal Medical Centre and General Hospital forswift attention and proper intervention without delay.

    7. APPRECIATIONThe management team of St. Louis Catholic Hospitalwholeheartedly appreciate Telma Westhood andBenjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF) for stagingthe free surgeries in Owo, Ondo State as they did manyothers in Abuja, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos and Osun. Themanagement is particularly happy for the sponsors tohave found the hospital worthy of hosting the scheme.

    8. BENEFICIARIESA Surgery Beneficiaries: They expressed profound

    gratitude for the opportunity to regain good healthwhich had been lost since the infirmities weredetected in their system and they could not helpthemselves.

    B Other Beneficiaries: These are the people whowere not due for surgery for one or two reasonsas stated earlier. They too were happy for thepeace they had through the enlightenment, careand referral they got from the medical team.

    FREE SURGERY SCHEME —continued from page 4

    The logo of the foundation The first set of those who registered trying to get number to access the next stage

    L-R: Telma Westhood, Sr. Ariyo Martina and Dr. Benjamin The arrival of Rt. Rev. Jude Arogundade and Rev. Fr. MatthewOlogun to the hospital as they are welcomed by TelmaWesthood and Dr. Benjamin

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    Report

    6

    The body of mediapractitioners in the Churchcalled on the entire Churchto consider establishing an onlinepresence and maintain it. The callwas contained in the 8 pointsrecommendations pointed out inthe resolutions made at the end ofthe first plenary of the NationalDiocesan/Religious Directors ofCommunication, held at St. JohnPaull II Pastoral Centre, Makurdi,Benue State from 25 to 29 March2019.

    According to the speaker, Rev.Fr. Gerald Musa, a lecturer at theCatholic Institute of West Africa(CIWA), Port Harcourt, onlineabsence is one of the major barriersin community building. This isbecause virtual communityconsolidates human relationshipsand the real life community of theChurch and the Church is yet toexplore it. The essence ofcommunication is to buildcommunity. Building a trustful andfriendly community involvesdifferent communication strategiesranging from face-to-faceinteraction to using mediatechnology. The Church is therefore

    to avail herself of the new media tomarket her faith, disseminate whatshe is doing in her various sectors— in justice and peace and integrityof creation, education, health,spirituality — especially, healing thatcomes through encounter withJesus in the Blessed Sacrament, etc.This act will tem the drifting of theyouth to new churches springing upin the country on daily basis.

    The plenary was organizedaround the theme: ‘We aremembers one of another(Eph.4:25), from Social NetworkCommunities to HumanCommunities’, which is the themeof Pope Francis’ 53rd WordCommunications Day message. Themeeting examined the positive sideas well as the flip side of the use ofthe social means ofcommunications. The new meansof social communications, when wellemployed, are veritable tools forevangelization and humandevelopment; their wrong use hasthe potential to destroy humaninteraction.

    During the opening Mass at OurLady of Perpetual Cathedral,Makurdi, the host bishop, Most Rev.

    Wilfred Anagbe, CMF, encouragedthe Catholic media practitioners: ‘Donot be afraid of being opposed bysaying the truth; communicateChrist to the world in and out ofseason’. In his words of advice,Bishop Denis Chidi Isizoh, Chairman,Catholic Bishops Conference ofNigeria (CBCN) tasked the membersof the noble body to use the meansof the social communication andtake the gospel where the youth are.

    One of the highlights at theplenary was the presentation of theCode of Ethics to the body, whichwill eventually be presented to theCatholic Bishops Conference ofNigeria for approval. Produced inconjunction with the Centre for theStudy of African Culture andCommunication (SESACC) of theCatholic Institute of West Africa, PortHarcourt, The Code of Ethics willserve as a guideline for bothprofessional and freelance Catholicjournalists and media practitioners

    FIRST PLENARY OF DIOCESAN/RELIGIOUSDIRECTORS OF COMMUNICATION IN NIGERIA

    Participants at the plenary after the opening Mass at Makurdi. Sr Anthonia Eneanya appears in the front row, by the right

    continued on page 7

    Sr Anthonia Eneanya (4th from the left)introduces herself

    by Anthonia Eneanya SSL

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    Report

    7

    AKPASSICOMMUNITYHOLDS ASPIRANTSLIVE-INby Pascaline KPADONOU

    The Sisters of St Louis, Akpassicommunity, Republic of Beninorganised an aspirants living infrom 15 to 17 April 2019. The invitedaspirants arrived joyfully from theirrespective homes on the evening of 15April. They were six in number; fourwere from (IROKO Vassili,ONIONKITONElla, and DJATO Expérance) from SteBernadette’s parish, COKO. AKOBICarine came from Malomi andAHOUTCHENOU Romaine came fromSte Jesephine’s parish, Bakita.

    The aspirants live-in started with anevening Mass in the community chapel,celebrated by Fr Romuald OGOUNGBE

    our parish priest. During his homely, Fr Romuald OGOUNGBE the chiefcelebrant welcomed the aspirants and encouraged them to be opento God's call, to be prayerful and cultivate the habits of listening toGod's voice. The opening ritual was led by Sr Pascaline KPADONOU.

    The next day after morning prayer and Mass, the aspirants didgeneral cleaning, had breakfast and settled for the first talk on thetheme; «Responding to God’s Call» by Sr Eugenia RAYMOND.During the talk, Sister explained the various ways in which God speaksto His chosen ones, how to respond to God’s call and how best to copewith our fears in answering God’s call. The second talk was on theHistory of the Sisters of St Louis, Charism, Apostolates and theProgramme of SSL Formation, given by Sr Pascaline KPADONO.

    By the end of the day, the Sisters met privately with each aspirantfor more consultation. During recreation, they learnt creativedecorations and were so happy discovering their talents. The aspirantslive-in came to an end the next day 17 April 2019. To God be the glory;Lord of the harvest send labourers into your vineyard.

    who are working in diocesan orcongregational mediaorganisations. This Code of ethicswill also serve journalists and mediapractitioners who are working inprivately owned Catholic mediaorganisations and those who workin public or secular mediaorganisations.

    Papers presented at the firstplenary included: ‘Bridges andBarriers of Online Communicationnetwork: A Reflection on the 2019World Communication Day

    Message’ by Fr. Gerald M. Musa;‘Market Journalism: An EssentialTool in Selling Church Brand’ byMr. Julius Atorough; ‘Dialectic onInterpersonal Communication asa Viable Network forCommunication Apostolate inNigeria’ by Fr. Inaku K. Egere and‘Human Communications VersusNetwork CommunicationsTechnology: Challenges andProspect’ by Dr Mrs. Janet Asagh.

    The participants went onexcursion to Sesugh Maria

    Pilgrimage Centre, Ayati, BenueState, where the bodies of twopriests and 15 parishioners killed byFulani herdsmen on April 24, 2018are buried. They also visited acemetery hosting the remains of 73persons killed by Fulani herdsmenon the 1st and 2nd of January, 2018were buried.

    The closing Mass was held at thefirst cathedral of the diocese, HolyGhost Parish, Makurdi.

    FIRST PLENARY OF DIRECTORS OF COMMUNICATIONS —continued from page 6

    The Centre Spread used at the live-in

    L-R: Sisters Agnes Adebayo and Pascaline Kpadonou with the aspirants

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    FOR THE RECORD

    8

    To God be the glory, the BakhitaEmpowerment Centre, Ipaja, wasofficially opened by His Grace,Most Rev. Alfred AdewaleMartins, the Archbishop ofLagos, on March 26, 2019. TheBakhita Empowerment Centre isa new two-storey building,located in Lagos, Nigeria, forsurvivors of human trafficking.Read more in Musings, Issue 85on www.stlouissisters.org.

    https://www.stlouissisters.org/

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    Report

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    The panel on primary school inspection arrived thepremises of St. Louis Nursery Primary School, Zonkwaon Wednesday April 3rd 2019, while the pupils wereon the assembly ground. The panel consisted of SistersEunice Abiriyi, Francisca Hindi, Christie Udebor and Mrs.Hannatu Tagwai.

    The pupils and members of staff were smartly dressedin their sports wears. During our tour of the school premisesand classrooms, we interacted with the pupils andmembers of staff. We asked questions about the St. LouisCrest. The poor feedback was evident that most of thepupils lacked knowledge of the meaning of the symbols onthe St. Louis Crest. The panel on inspection then gave apresentation assignment to some pupils for the assemblythe following day, which was Thursday. They would give abrief explanation of the meaning of the symbols on the St.Louis Crest. The presentations were excellent! We werethrilled by the pupils as they walked into the school holdingdifferent colours of cardboard papers.

    Some of their submissions are as follows.● Shield and Sword —symbol of FAITH● Chain — symbol of UNITY● Crown — represents THORNS OF CHRIST

    ● Fleur de lis--- represents Kingly state orroyalty

    The interactive assembly animated by the pupilswas a great teaching and learning experience forthe school community. The pupils sang a song thatkept the four inspectors joyful, as they sang andmatched with the pupils.

    "What is the meaning of ABUJA?A —AdorationB —BeU — UntoJ — JesusA — Amen. He died for you; He died for me.Adoration be unto Jesus Amen!

    A drawing of the St. Louis Crest by the pupils The pupils at their presentations

    The St. Louis Crest

    Two of the pupils at a presentation

    by Christie Udebor SSL

    1st Sr. Josephine Tiav Feastday8th Sr. Bridget Monehin Birthday12th Sr. Theresa Peter Birthday13th Sr. Fidelia Amoko Birthday20th Sr. Monica Ogodo Birthday22nd Sr. Rita Akin-Otiko Feastday22nd Sr. Anthonia Eneanya Birthday25th Sr. Madeleine Ohiri Feastday25th Sr. Janet Makinde Birthday

    MA

    Y

    https://www.stlouissisters.org/

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    A COMMUNITY IN SERVICE: ZONKWA

    It is one of the most consoling truths that asReligious and Sisters of St. Louis, we are called tobe salt of the earth and light of the world and arecalled through God’s love to share in his mission ofcreation; a mission entrusted to us by Christ. Onewould ask, how could we possibly be missionarieswithout being Christ in action and seeing Christ in thepeople around?

    Reaching out to the people in our community isone of our primary mission but we have experiencedsome challenges in the process. John Bunyan wouldsay, “You have not lived today until you have donesomething for someone who can never repay you.” Itis a joy to extend a helping hand but we areoverwhelmed. For instance, there are many agedpeople who are sick and need a helping hand, manywho are suffering, many who need financial supportaround us. But because of constraints, we can only doso much to help as often as we would love to.

    In the school where we work, some student nursesare unable to pay their school fees as and when due.How then can these students be supported without itaffecting the school purse? Since the school is notbuoyant enough to offer scholarship, we encourage

    the students to pay in instalments. We source for helpfor some who are only able to afford little. These areefforts being made to help them achieve their dream.And in considering these poor students, the school isunable to increase its fees in comparison with otherMission schools within the state. It is not realisticincreasing school fees when the majority of them arenot able to pay the current amount. Yet we want tohelp but there is so much we can do.

    Our community is blessed with ample land spacethat enables us to practically practice care of the earthwhile at the same time generate revenue tosupplement the income from salaries. We have a smallpalm plantation from which we make palm oil; we growginger; yams; beans; maize and some vegetables.When these are harvested, we sell and also share toour domestic staff and some needy people around us.

    In listening to the spirit of God in each other, wehave been able to experience God’s divine love andconnect with others through prayer. We visit the poorand respond to them with kind words, impactingknowledge to them to help them stand on their feetand be courageous. The scripture says “whoeveroppresses the poor shows contempt for the maker butwhoever is kind to the needy honours God” (Proverbs14:31)

    We desire and aim to continue to honour God asbest as we can, regardless of our challenges, throughministering to the poor and needy around us. Usingand sharing the resources available to us, wecontribute to alleviating the sufferings of the poor, theless privileged and marginalized that we encounterdaily in our apostolates and the local Church in whoselife we share. In this way, we work in collaboration withthe entire St. Louis family to see the Vision of AbbéLouis Bautain of “a world healed, unified andtransformed” come true. We intensify our prayer forthe world and people of every race.

    Deepening GC 2015 Calls

    OUR MISSION STATEMENT

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    Regular Feature

    by Rita Akin-Otiko, SSL

    Wash One Another’s Feet: Whose Feet will I Wishto Wash?

    I always marvel at the noise we make about racialsegregation. Is that the only type of prejudice thatexists among human beings? What do we have tosay about ethnic bias, tribal sentiments, genderinequity, religious bigotry, class strata,intellectual prejudice, social cycles, accentsuperiority, etc? This discrimination of a thing hasactually reached a ridiculous magnitude such thatthe walls that separate human beings areincreasing in number, magnitude and height.

    We may want to ask, why do people discriminate?Why do we feel only ‘birds of the same feathersshould flock together’? Why do we protect anddefend only those who are like us whilemaintaining at arms’ length those who aredifferent from us? Why do we expend so muchenergy on ensuring some people never feel theybelong while others receive all the attention meantfor communal good? Why do we listen to only thosewho ‘belong to our inner caucus’ and fail to bemindful of those without? When will the song oftribalism, favouritism, god-motherism cease to besung in our vicinities?

    Why do we feel uncomfortable with people who are‘different’ from us? What role does stereotypingplay in all of this? What role does fear play in itall? What are we afraid of? What am I afraid of,that I would rather move with ‘my group alone’?Love unites! Fear tears apart! Opposites casts outopposites! It is only love that can cast out fear! Canwe sit (with questions uncomfortable as they maysound or actually are at times) and ask ourselves,‘whose feet will I wish to wash? ‘Whose feet am Iinterested in washing?’ ‘Whose feet will I ever

    wash?’ Until we sit with these and other questions,we may not hope to have any slightestcomprehension of the depth of ‘Sint Unum’ or beable to answer the LORD’s question after washingHis disciple’s feet, ‘Do you understand what I havedone to you?’

    “We are each other's harvest; we are each other'sbusiness; we are each other's magnitude andbond” writes Gwendolyn Brooks. “One love, oneheart…. Let’s get together and feel all right”sings Bob Marley. “Like a sculptor, if necessary,carve a friend out of stone. Realize that your innersight is blind and try to see a treasure ineveryone.”  pens  Rumi Jalalu'l-Din. “Pit raceagainst race, religion against religion, prejudiceagainst prejudice. Divide and conquer! We mustnot let that happen here.” says Eleanor Roosevelt.

    Wash One Another’sFeet: Wash?

    Until we sit with these and otherquestions, we may not hope tohave any slightest comprehensionof the depth of ‘Sint Unum’ or beable to answer the LORD’squestion after washing Hisdisciple’s feet, ‘Do you understandwhat I have done to you?’

  • ’Pelumi O’Dunsin,Chief [email protected]+234 (0)706 204 7492

    Anthonia Eneanya SSLAssistant Chief [email protected]+234 (0)703 792 9969

    The Communications Office now has a corporate email,[email protected]. Expect to get Contact andupdates via the mail address regularly. Write to us too.

    CORPORATE EMAIL

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    EDITORIAL

    Word to Live By

    12

    30 APRIL 2019Inspirational

    Dear Family,

    Dust disappears, heat subsides, plants turn leafy greenand branches shoot and bud in the ecstasy of May rains….Ah! How shall we welcome Spring? Shall we dance the beedance, or swam like the locust or flutter like butterflies?Spring is life. Spring is soothing. Spring is a new beginning.Spring is work!

    “Look, the winter is past… . The flowers are springingup, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooingof turtledoves fills the air. The fig trees are forming youngfruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Riseup…” Solomon summons in his songs (Song of Solomon2:11-13). If we have endured the monotony of the dry seasonfor long, here is the relief we have been waiting for. We haveasked “the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes thestorm clouds. And he [has sent] showers of rain so everyfield becomes a lush pasture.” (Zechariah 10:1) We’dredouble our energy in His blessings and go all out for moreexploits in His name. We have a harvest of reports and articles in this issue ofContact for your reading pleasure. We are always grateful foryour contributions and support. Remember, we’d love yourfeedback. Thank you and happy reading.

    “Springwork isgoing onwith joyfulenthusiasm.”— John Muir

    ‘Pelumi O’Dunsin

    Gallantry!

    ABOVE: St Louis Nursery and Primary School, Owo relay teams in girls andboys categories pose for a photograph after they came FIRST andSECOND respectively in an inter-school relay race at the SECOND BI-ANNUAL INTER-HOUSE SPORTS COMPETITION of St Louis Nursery andPrimary School, Ondo which was held on Friday 5 April 2019 at the Ondotownship stadium.SEE THE PHOTOS OF THE FOUR COMPETING HOUSES OF THESCHOOL IN THE ORDER OF THEIR PERFORMANCE BELOW.