Vacation Time And Some Parish News

by Father Victor  |  10/27/2024  |  Weekly Reflection

After Sunday masses this weekend, I shall set out for my vacation to Nigeria. It’s important for me to take this opportunity to decompress, relax, and refresh my spirit to return strongest for work. Therefore, from 27 October until 15 December, I shall be on vacation. A few activities are lined-up for me already.

Callistus, my brother is getting married in early November. Then Christopher, another brother, will also take a wife by the end of November. Ruth, my cousin, will be marrying in early December. Lastly, Cornelius, the last child of eight siblings, will have a wife by February 2025. I may likely have to return for that last wedding by next year. From the look of things, the vacation is already saturated with three weddings involving dance, good food, and some fun. I ask of your prayers for my family and the spouses coming in or going out.

As I leave for vacation, please note the following for our St. Mary parish community. The Deacon Francis Staab will take charge of pastoral activities with Fr. Julius Kayiwa celebrating the mid-week masses. Early week masses and Friday masses won’t be available as no priest is coming in residence. However, the Rev. Matthew Lowry, the Episcopal Vicar of the North from Flagstaff will come every weekend for masses. He will alternate that with his associate. Thanks for their generosity in coming from Macedonia to help us.

The two new staff will resume work in November. Richard Rabaiotti, the new parish manager, and the new parish secretary, will add new vigor and willpower to our parish community. Please pray for them and support them in their respective positions. Richard will work with the parish councils to raise funds for our parish hall remodeling project alongside the office remodeling from 2025.

We hope to begin the new year 2025 with the Bishop John P. Dolan coming on January 1 to celebrate mass by 10AM and declare the Jubilee Year of Hope as promulgated by Pope Francis. The big news here is that St. Mary is chosen by the Bishop Dolan as a pilgrimage center for Catholics to visit and attend mass thereby gaining some plenary indulgences. I urge you to prepare for this visit and pray along with the bishop for God’s graces on our families throughout the jubilee year and always.

Lastly, I request your prayers. I shall visit my new bishop in my Diocese of Zaria, Bishop Habilah T. Daboh, the second bishop of my diocese. He hopes to visit Kingman in mid-2025.

As a country, Nigeria is in a difficult situation right now. For those of you who have lived long enough, you will discover that Nigeria has been in a long battle with terrorism leading to kidnappings, a failing economy, high inflation, and a currency devaluation. I can only ask of your prayers for God to allow me to remain safe and sound at this difficult moment in my country. The lined-up activities above should keep me busy until I return to work in December.

My joy is that my mom is waiting eagerly to spoil me with lavish dishes I have missed. I will eat the best I can and avoid gaining extra weight. Wishing you God’s choicest blessing as America votes for the next president on Tuesday 5 November 2024. God bless America.

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