Month: June 2020

A NEW COMMUNITY IS BORN

Posted chinweodingas89388Posted in Community

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord!  Ps 83
by MaryPrecious Ugwuoke, SNDdeN

Sr. Fidelia Chukwu and Archbishop Igantius Kaigama (centre) with the sisters in front of the New Community building

The dream of having another community for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Kuje-Abuja started in June 2019 when the foundation was dug. The dream continued as blocks were laid in August, 2019. With the special grace of God and through the generosity of benefactors and benefactresses of the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Leadership Team of the Province were able to actualize the dream.

L-R: Sister Fidelia Chukwu, Archbishop Ignatius kaigama, Sisters Esther Adama and Veronica Fatoyinbo

It was a dream come true on 22nd June 2020, the commemoration of the Canonization of St. Julie Billiart, foundress of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama arrived at the convent with his three secretaries for the blessing of the new Convent and was warmly welcomed by Rev. Sr. Fidelia Chukwu, SNDdeN, the Provincial Moderator and Sr. MaryPrecious Ugwuoke, SNDdeN, the Province Secretary.

Sisters Fidelia Chukwu, Provincial Moderator and MaryPrecious Ugwuoke, Province Secretary welcomes Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama

The Eucharistic celebration commenced immediately. In his homily, the Archbishop said that the readings were reminding us that God should be number one in all that we do. “If we stay close to God, God will be close to us but when we distance ourselves from God, then God will be far from us, and that is how problems start.” He added that in coming close to God, everything will flow well. The essence of being Sisters of Notre Dame is to be close to God. Meanwhile, the Blessed Sacrament which will be installed today will be a source of strength for the sisters. Jesus Christ, the great teacher teaches us how to live in harmony with one another, in families, parishes and religious communities. The best way to build a community is to avoid being judgmental.

Celebration of Liturgy
Sisters and friends singing during Liturgy
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama getting ready to bless the New Community

He prayed and encouraged the sisters to be patient, knowing that God is there for them and will do a lot for them. He congratulated them for having achieved a lot since the foundation of the Congregation in1804. He welcomed them to Archdiocese of Abuja expressing his joy for the sisters’ presence in Abuja.

Sister Fidelia Chukwu and Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama

Sr. Fidelia Chukwu extended her unreserved appreciation to the bishop, priests and religious for their presence, as well as the Engineers and their Team who designed and built the structure. She equally thanked and welcomed the Associates of the Province, the staff, media Team and everyone present.

Sister MaryPrecious Ugwuoke, SNDdeN watches as Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama signs the visitor’s register

Sister Esther Adama, SNDdeN thanked everyone in different languages on behalf of Sister Fidelia Chukwu.

Sisters Esther Adama and Maureen Okeke, SNDdeN

Sisters, Priests and the Archbishop pose for a group photo in front of the New Community building.
Associates, Friends, Engineers for the building and the Sisters

The building was finally blessed and all went out joyfully to the hospital site for the blessing of the land.

Blessing of the hospital site by the Archbishop

ASSOCIATES OF THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR

Posted chinweodingas89388Posted in Commitment, Pastoral

THE JOURNEY TO FINAL COMMITMENT OF THE FIRST ASSOCIATES
– “I saw you under the cross”, says St. Julie to the Associates

Associates that made commitment with Sr. Fidelia Chukwu, SNDdeN (Moderator), Fr. Pius Aniekop CM, and Sr. MaryPrecious Ugwuoke, SNDdeN (Coordinator)

The journey started with a recollection for the Associates towards their commitment as Associates of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

Sr. Esther Adama, SNDdeN who spoke on holiness, challenged the Associates in her talk titled “Call the Holiness”. She said the Hebrew word for Holiness – “Kadahs” means “to set apart”, the Associates are set apart by God to holiness.

According to Sr. Esther, marriage life is a commitment as much as religious life, in all the responsibility of a married person and a consecrated person is gear towards commitment to God and living a holy life. She went further to say that a life of holiness is a call to live righteous to the commitment that demands daily fidelity to God. Luke 9:23, 26.

She also said that to be committed, there will be challenges, distractions and trials, like St. Julie we must and should remain on track, and focus on God amidst all distraction and trial.

Sr. Esther called on the Associates to look at the life of St. Julie and emulate her;

  • Personal life style
  • Relationship with people
  • Apostolic engagement
  • Devotion to Mary


Some Associates signing the commitment register

The rite of covenant was administered by Sr. Fidelia Chukwu, SNDdeN, the Moderator, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Nigeria Province. The Associates made their commitments accordingly. They were twelve Associates in all, two new members, three for renewal, and seven for final commitment. They expressed their joys and prayed to remain faithful to their commitments.

Words from the Leadership Team: Sr. Fidelia was grateful to God for the success of the ceremony. She said that the Associates have assumed a higher responsibility, and “to whom much is given much is expected”. She encouraged the Associates to make themselves available for the work of God, through the spirituality of St. Julie – Simplicity, Obedience and Charity. She challenged them to have concern for those living in poverty.

Sr. Fidelia Chukwu urged the Associates to work hard to form a body – Associates of Nigeria Province , whereby they will share and exchange ideas with Associates from other zones.


Signing of the commitment register

Appreciation: The Associates’ coordinator, Sr. MaryPrecious Ugwuoke, SNDdeN thanked everyone for their prayers and support for the huge success the Associates commitment.

         
Thanksgiving procession during liturgy                 The Associates with the Sisters and the Priest


Sisters singing during liturgy.