St. Monica CATHOLIC CHURCH
-
HISTORY OF ST. MONICA CATHOLIC CHURCH
BIRTH AND EARLY GROWTH OF THE CHURCH
Although not much was recorded about the inception and immediate subsequent event, growth and development years of St. Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo, some Pioneer members who are still in the church, have served as vital source of historic information. Towards the end of the 1980's it was obvious that there was growing need to establish an outstation of St. Augustina's Catholic Church, Ikorodu, to cater for the teeming population of faithful in Igbogbo and its environs. This gave birth to St. Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo in May 1990 by the then Parish Priest of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ikorodu Rev. Fr. Sylvester E. U. Osigweh. It is not a surprise that it was named after the mother of St. Augustine as the name to be given to the new church was almost generating controversy. They started celebrating Mass in one of the classroom blocks of Methodist Primary School, along Oba Omolaja Ogunlewe Road, Igbogbo, with about nine families, who were attending Mass at St. Augustine's Parish Centre. The opening Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Sylvester E. U. Osigweh on 30th September, 1990 and was marked with infant Baptism of thirty-eight (38) children. The proximity of the church to Igbogbo residents attracted the early converts and Catholics who could not track the long distant to St. Augustine Parish Centre. Government displeasure at the use of school buildings by churches (for service and activities) and the fast growth of the new church, encouraged the Parish Priest, to search for land in Igbogbo for permanent location of the church. In 1991 St. Augustine Parish Centre under Rev. Fr. Sylvester Osigweh, purchased four (4) plots of land from the Olatifuwa family of Igbogbo at the cost of N6000.00 per plot totaling N24,000.00 (twenty-four thousand naira) in which St. Monica Catholic Church, is today situated. Thatched house was constructed using direct labour of members of the church community and was commissioned by the then Archbishop of the Metropolitan see of Lagos-His Grace, Most Rev Anthony Olabunmi Okogie, during his canonical visit in 1992. Rev. Fr. Sylvester Osigweh drew the first Building Plan for the church, laid the foundation in 1995 and started block erection almost immediately to the jubilation of the teeming church community. The Lay Organizations, Societies, and Associations of the church were growing in strength, faith and contribution towards development. Work on the church building was close to advance stage when Rev. Fr. Sylvester Osigweh was transferred to St. Mary Catholic Church, Alaja-Ifo, Ogun State, in 1996. It is note-worthy that the achievements of Rev. Fr. Sylvester E. U. Osigweh during these 6 years have roused the hope of building a "Great St. Monica Church" among church members which endeared him to their hearts. Rev. Fr. Alphonsus E. S. A. Obi took over the ruins of office as Parish Priest of St. Augustine Church in 1996 and St. Monica Church building was completed during his tenure. He left in 1998 and his Assistant Rev. Fr. Christian Ezeh took over as Parish Priest. St Augustine Parish Centre under Rev.Fr. Christian Ezeh purchased four (4) plots of land at Baiyeku in 1998 and established St. Timothy Catholic Church, to be nurtured by St. Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo.Monica Centre Becomes an Outstation of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Owode-Ibeshe
St. Patrick Catholic Church, Owode-Ibeshe and St. Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo were both Outstations of St. Augustine Parish centre and they were growing at the same pace. However, St. Patrick Catholic Church seem to have an edge over St. Monica Catholic Church, because it was the first outstation of St. Augustine Church in Ikorodu axis and coupled with the presence of Nichemtex Textile Mill, Owode-Ibeshe which appeared to have potentials for attracting worshippers and accelerating development. Consequently St. Patrick's Church, Owode-Ibeshe was made a Parish in year 2000, with Rev Fr. Christopher Alabi as Parish Priest, and St. Monica Church, was transferred to them as an Outstation. He started operating from St. Augustine Parish House and later moved into a residential flat at Ebute Junction. His tenure was short as he was transferred out in 2001 and replaced by Rev. Fr. Francis Adegun. He also operated from the rented residential apartment at Ebute Junction. Significant progress was made during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Francis Adegun (DD). He started the fencing of the Church premises up to eight (8) coaches. He restructured the Church building, raising the walls, and re-roofing it. He brought used pews from SS Mulumba & David Catholic Church, Lawance-Surulere, to augment the Benches in the Church. The major challenge Rev. Fr. Francis Adegun seemed to have at this time was developing a young Parish Centre alongside two growing Outstations St. Monica Church and St. Anthony-Mary Claret Church, Ipadoko lus two new outstations - St. Timothy Centre, Bayeku and St. Catherine Centre, Offin-Ile. Rev. Fr. Francis Adegun left in October 2005 for Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Odogunyan, Ikorodu. Rev. Fr. Benneth C. Onyeulor (SDV) took over as Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Church, in October of 2005, and it marked a turning point in the history of St. Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo as she moved from one development project to another starting with the construction of the frontage gutter to stop the perennial flooding of the Church premises. At this time, the church had started to clamour for Parish status, considering that she was 15 years as Outstation.
Rev. Fr. Ben. Onyeulor (SDV) was tactical in quelling this clamour as he took time to explain to the church community that age was not the only determinant factor, but concrete evidence to show ability to sustain parish status. He gave the conditions and requirements which include;
1. Acquiring more land for future expansion and development
2. Building a Rev. Father's House and maintenance of the Priest
3. Fencing the Church premises for security reasons.
4. Equipping the Church with essential facilities.
5. Supporting the Parish Centre as and when the need arises.
6. Having adequate population of registered members.
He assured the church members of his unflinching support at all times. This initially appeared a mission impossible but with time the parishioners resolved to pursue this objective in line with the guidance of Rev. Fr. Ben Onyeulor (SDV). There was sensitization for team work of all Lay Organizations, Societies, Associations, and individuals consisting of:
1. Catholic Man Organization(CMO)
2. Catholic Women Organization(CWO)
3. Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON)
4. Association of Sacred heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
5. Confraternity of Christian Mothers
6. Legion of Mary
7. Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria.
8. Young Christian Workers of Nigeria.
9. St. Vincent De Paul Society
10.Divine Mercy Devotion
11.Block Rosary Crusade
12.Man of Order & Discipline (MOD) in the making.
Regular prayer sessions, and vigil nights were organized at St. Monica Centre by the team of Society of Divine Vocationist (SDV) priests who were resident as St. Patrick Parish Centre.
The Take-off of Church Development Projects
Mr. Vincent Omovusu, the then Chairman of Church Pastoral Council (CPC)and his Executives sought the approval of St. Patrick Parish Centre for the purchase of additional land for St. Monica Centre, and it was granted. They planned to take advantage of the growing population of church members which was rising steadily, due largely to the relocation of Catholics from all over Lagos metropolise to Igbogbo and its environs where farmlands were fast being converted to residential Homes, and Estates. They constituted a Land Acquisition Committee headed by Mr. Chris L. Kikanme as Chairman and Mr. Sylvester Oduah as General Secretary. The drive for fund to purchase additional land from the adjoining plots of land to the church premises started in 2007.The Radolu Descendant Family who owned the land offered the Church four (4) plots of land at a concessional price of N450,000.00 per plot, amounting to N1,800,000.00 (One Million,Eight Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The Church members were able to raise N900,000.00 (Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) by November 2007, and paid for two (2) Plots of Land, promising to pay the balance N900,000.00 for the remaining two (2) plots of land. The Land Owners accepted the payment with threat of forfeiture of the remaining two plots if payment was not made within three(3)months ending February 2008. This task of raising money had stretched the parishioners of St. Monica Centre to breaking point and they prayed for God's intervention. The Archbishop of the Metropolitan see of Lagos, came on canonical visit to St. Monica Church Centre on 9th February, 2008. The Church Pastoral Council (CPC) Chairman Mr. Vincent Omovusu took advantage of this occasion and pleaded for the financial assistance of the Archbishop, during his Welcome Address This appeal went down well with the Archbishop and he promised to pay the balance N900,000.00 for the remaining two (2) plots of land. This was a source of great relieve and joy to the entire Church community. This promise was kept within a few weeks. Many thanks would go to Rev. Fr. Benneth Onyeulor (SDV) for his favourable recommendation of St. Monica Church Centre to the Archbishop during the occasion. The church members thereafter settled other Land Acquisition related expenses such as
1. Family Documentation fees
2. Omo-onile fees
3. Facilitator fees
4. Land Surveyors fees
Which cost us about N680,000.00 (Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira). These developments kindled the hearts of parishioners, bringing new lease of life and increasing their faith, and zeal for God's work.
The next priority was to give the Church building the much needed face-lift, as it was in a poor situation, and also provide essential lacking structures and facilities.
Doors and Windows were fixed to ensure the safety of life and property of worshippers.
The Altar floor was rugged and the walls decorated with coloured linen clothe, and the windows fixed with blinds. The Altar crucifix was replaced with a more befitting one.
The old and outdated Station of the Cross pictures were replaced with large framed pictures.
The statue of Divine Mercy and Large Framed picture of Saint Monica were also provided to adorn the Altar.
Plastic chairs were supplied as a temporary measure to provide seats for the teeming population.
Wall plastering was completed, and the Church Building was painted by the families of Mr. Vincent Omovusu, and Engr. Godwin Ebitea.
New set of musical equipment was provided for the use of choir.
The year 2008 was rounded up with the erection of a place of convenience by the family of Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Omovusu as a donation in memory of their late parents: Papa Francis O. Omovusu and Mama Roseline Oghodero Omovusu. It was commissioned by Rev. Fr. Benneth C. Onyeulor (SDV) the Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Parish on 28/12/2008.
In 2009, the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) under the able leadership of their President - Mrs. Ngozi Oluyadi embarked on Water Supply Project. They sank Borehole, and mounted two (2) Tanks with total capacity of 5000 litres of water. It was dedicated to Our Mother Mary; Our Lady of Good Council, and unveiled by His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie (DD) the Archbishop of the Metropolitan see of Lagos on 14th September, 2009 during his canonical visit to St. Monica Church Centre. He commended their efforts. This was very thoughtful of the Catholic Women Organization as water would play a major role in future construction projects. It was executed at an estimated cost of #450 000 00 In the same 2009. The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) were assigned with the co-ordination and sourcing of fund for the building of the Rev. Fr's House. The Foundation Laying was commissioned by His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie (DD) on the same 14th September, 2009, when the Borehole was unveiled. These achievements could not have been possible without the spiritual support of the team of Society of Divine Vocationist (SDV) Priests who were coming from St. Patrick Parish Centre, Owode-Ibeshe. Notable among them were:
Asst. Parish Priest-Rev. Fr. Udo J. M. Iwuji (SDV)
Associate Priests-Rev. Fr. Anthony Chidinma Nwoko and Rev. Fr. Jonathan Ibeawuchi (SDV)
Seminarians on Apostolic work at St. Monica Centre, Paul Ologun (SDV) and Francis Mary Orji (SDV)
They braved the long distance and bad road between St. Patrick Parish Centre, Owode-Ibeshe and St. Monica Centre, Igbogbo to ensure regular Masses and Confession were held at the parish. The first Church Directory of St. Monica Centre was compiled by Paul Olabode Ologun (SDV). Not long after the commissioning of the Foundation Laying of the Rev Fr's House, the Archbishop sent One Million Naira to support the Church premises Fencing Project. Rev. Fr. Benneth C. Onyeulor left in 2010, and Rev. Fr. Jonathan Eburuche (SDV) took over as Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Centre. By this time, four (4) Outstations - St. Timothy Centre Bayeku, St. Catherine Centre, Offin-Ile, St. Jude Centre, Agunfoye, and St. Benedict Centre, Oreta had tentatively been attached to St. Monica Centre as Outstations. Consequently St. Monica Centre had no option than to see herself as a big Outstation supporting these small Outstations within Igbogbo environ. Rev. Fr. Jonathan Eburuche (SDV) was determined to conclude the transformation of St. Monica Church to a Parish Centre. Rev. Fr. Vincent Odemenam (SDV), the Asst. Parish Priest of St. Patrick Parish, Owode-lbeshe was assigned to St. Monica Centre to ensure close monitoring and supervision of their projects. He pursued the building of the Rev. Fr's House, fencing of the premises which has increased to eight (8) plots and construction of gutter between the Children’s Hall and Rev. Fr's House with all vigor. The population of children in the Church had risen tremendously, and something needed to be done, particularly as the Church was already full to capacity. The family of Vincent Omovusu built and donated Children's Hall. It was commissioned on 5th September, 2010 by Very Rev. Fr. Jonathan Eburuche (SDV)the Parish Priest of St. Patrick Parish Centre, Owode-Ibeshe. Engr. Emmanuel Ogbu took over from Mr. Vincent Omovusu as Chairman of Church Pastoral Council (CPC). He made a good pair with Rev. Fr. Vincent Rev. Fr. Vincent Odemenam in the monitoring, supervision, and execution of the various on-going projects:
1. Premises sand filling to regain the swampy portion of the Church Premises.
2. Fencing of the Rev. Fr's. House.
3. Construction of major Gutter between the Rev Fr's House and the Children's Hall to channel away the huge rain water from the heart of Igbogbo that empties into the premises.
4. Completion of Rev. Fr's. House and providing Furniture, Accessories, and necessary House Use Equipment.
5. Installation of Heavy-Duty Loud Speakers and Microphones in the Church.
6. Purchase of Car for the use of the expected Parish Priest.
The Rev. Fr's House building was completed by end of December, 2012 to the glory of God, and Rev. Fr. Vincent Odemenam (SDV) and an Associate Priest from St. Patrick Parish Centre Rev. Fr. Collins Nwaokeocha (SDV) moved into St. Monica Centre as direct Caretakers to shepherd St. Monica Centre and their four (4) Outstations. The first quarter of 2013 was spent renovating the Church building starting from the Altar to upgrade its standard. The family of Vincent Omovusu supplied fairly used and refurbished Pews which were bought from Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin to replace the old Pews in the Church. The Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) under the leadership of their President Lolo Ifeoma Ajike raised fund and supplied one giant F.G Wilson 40KVA Generator, capable of providing electricity to the Church and the Rev. Fr's. House. The project cost about N1.3million.
ST. MONICA CENTRE BECOMES A QUASI-PARISH
Our Chief Shepherd, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins (DD), the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos announced the upliftment of St. Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo to a Quasi Parish during the Chrism Mass at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Lagos Island on 28th March, 2013. The joy of the parishioners at this development knew no bounds. They gave thanks to God for fulfilling their heart desire of becoming a Parish after twenty-three (23) years of toiling in the wilderness of Outstation, endurance and prayers. They remain grateful to His Grace Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins (DD) for this upliftment and will forever remember Rev. Fr Jonathan Eburuche (SDV) and his Pastoral team who took St. Monica Centre to Parish Promised Land. Rev. Fr Anthony E. Nworuh (SMMM) took over the mantel of Leadership of St. Monica Quasi-Parish Centre on18December, 2013. They retained their four Outstations - St. Timothy Centre, Bayeku, St. Catherine Centre, Offin-Ile, St Jude Centre, Agunfoye and St. Benedict Centre, Oreta. No sooner than Rev. Fr. Anthony E. Nworuh (SMMM) took over the mantle of office, the Parishioners unanimously agreed to embark on total modernisation of the Church Building to what we have today. This is the outcome of an eighteen (18) month collective effort of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) and Lay Societies who are working harmoniously with the Parish Priest. The population of the Church Community has increased astronomically and the Lay Organisations presently have the following registered members:
1. Catholic Men Organisation (CMO)
2. Catholic Women Organisation (CWO).
3. Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON)
To God be the glory as we never hoped in vain all these years.
They have surpassed the endurance of their Patroness Saint who endured for Seventeen (17) years before her prayers to bring back her son Augustine to Christ was granted.
How long shall we wait to become a full Parish is now the question and we plead with our Chief Shepherd to give a lenient consideration to this question.