SMMM NEWS UPDATE
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SONS FAMILY BLESSED WITH 10 NEW PRIESTS |
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The entire SMMM Family and the catholic faithful of Umuahia Diocese and its environ again on the 24th day of July, 2010 witnessed the Priestly Ordination of 10 (Ten) of our brothers at Mater Dei Cathedral Umuahia Abia State by Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji (the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese).
The Holy Mass which was attended by the clergy, Religious and crème de la crème of well wishers and friends started at exactly 10:10am with a long procession to the Cathedral.
The Bishop in his homily during the Mass, welcomed all to the ordination of our 11 brothers (10 for SMMM Congregation and 1 for Umuahia Diocese) to the presbyterial order. He thanked the family members, well wishers, relatives and all who supported them in their priestly training. He equally thanked all the priests and in a special way the Rector of Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. John Iwe and his team of formators for their wonderful job of training our future priests. Click here to read more.
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THE PRAYER FOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SMMM CONGREGATION |
Ever-Loving God of Mercy, we thank you for the gift of our Congregation to the Church which you established through your servant Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo (C.S.Sp). We are grateful to you for your goodness to us all these years of our existence.
As we prepare to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of our Congregation, we recall with gratitude and joy your power and providence that guided our first beginnings to the present stage. You showed us your deep love by increasing our number and spreading our mission in so many parts of the World. We are sorry for any inability of living out our charism and spirit.
Lord, bless the leaders of the Church, our parents, benefactors and benefactresses. Grant all the “sons” the grace of bearing witness to your mercy in our mission and apostolates. Guide us from the influence of materialism in the world. May unity, peace, understanding and love prevail in all our communities. Guide all our brothers wherever they are working. Lord, grant us your assistance and success as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary and let it be a point of integral union that will help us to understand deeper our mission in the world and dedicate ourselves strongly in the service of God and humanity.
Give us your good health of mind and body. Heal our sick brothers from their illness and grant eternal rest to all our departed members, friends, benefactors and benefactresses.
May Mary, Mother of Mercy guide us with her virginal mantle and intercede for us for the never-failing graces of God. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen |
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THE 2010 LENTEN PASTORAL LETTER OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL |
THE “40 DAYS OF LENT” AND “40 YEARS JUBILLEE”
Biblically, “40” is a round number with symbolic meaning. The Jews spent 40 years in the desert on their way to the Promised Land (Deut 8:2). Moses spent 40 days and forty nights on the mountain (Deut 10:10). Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting in the desert before beginning his ministry (Mt 4:2). It is significant then that the “40 days” Lenten season of this year 2010 becomes very symbolic for us the “SONS” as we celebrate our 40 Years Jubilee. Click Here to Download the Full Message
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THE 2010 ANNUAL RETREAT OF SMMM PRIESTS AND BROTHERS |
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This year’s Annual Retreat of SMMM Priests and Brothers was held from the 28th of February to the 5th day of March, 2010 at the SMMM Retreat and Conference Centre Afara Umuahia Abia State Nigeria. The Retreat was competently moderated by Rev. Fr. Capt. Christopher Olisa Aniukwu from Awka Diocese. He touched all aspects of the Priesthood ranging from the Sanctification of the Priest, Parish (School) Administration to the problem of Celibacy in general. All these aspects of the priest’s work were well illustrated with stories of life experiences. In fact, it was a five (5) day spirit-filled retreat.
However, this year’s Retreat was concluded in a very remarkable way with the celebration of the Eucharistic Mass at the Grave side of our Father Founder Late Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo C.S.Sp, to mark the beginning of the SMMM 40th Anniversary. The Superior General, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. George M. Okorie, SMMM in his Homily during the Mass recounted the small beginning of our Congregation, and how God has blessed us throughout these 40 years of our existence. He beckoned on all to keep the flag flying very high, knowing that there is a lot still to be done; but with grace of God and our individual efforts and talents, the sky will be our limit. After the Mass the grave sites of our Brothers were visited, both at the Mater Dei Cathedral and SMMM Novitiate at Umule Umuahia Abia State. |
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OUR SCHOOL APOSTOLATE |
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SMMM RESOURCES |
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SONS TABLE WATER |
Always Reliable |
Visit us and witness the reliability. Our product range include: Sachet Water, Bottled Water (150cl, 75cl, and 50cl). All at an affordable rate.
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CONTACT: Sons Table Water, P. O. Box 1660, Umuahia, Abia State - Nigeria. Phone: 08034348519, 08065044801
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SMMM RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE AFARA |
Call in for your Retreats, Seminars & Workshops, Conferences
CONTACT
Sons of Mary Generalate, Box 1660, Umuahia, Abia State. 08037298986, 07031871392, 08052445310, 08032663897
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A Historical Account of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy Congregation |
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| FOUNDER |
| Name |
Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Gogo Nwedo C. S. Sp. |
| Purpose of Foundation |
To work for the glory of God, in honour of the ever Blessed Virgin Mary, for the sanctification of its members by the observance of the evangelical counsels and for the salvation of souls. |
| Date of the Foundation |
25th October 1970. |
| Place of Foundation |
Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria. |
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| Bishop who Authorized the beginning of the Congregation in his diocese |
| Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Gogo Nwedo C. S. Sp Bishop of Umuahia Diocese. |
| Name of First Members |
1. Paschal Nwoko
2. Anthony Ihemekwala
3. Theodore Konyeuloaso
4. Simon Egozubelu
5. Innocent Ajuonu
6. Mark Dike
7. Boniface Dike. |
| ERECTION: |
| Date of Erection of First House of Novitiate: May 1972 |
| Place of Erection of First House of Novitiate: Bende, Umuahia. |
| Bishop who Erected it: Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Gogo Nwedo CSSp. |
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| MEMBERS: |
| Number of First Novices: |
Seven (7) |
| Date of their Admission into the novitiate: |
May 1972 |
| Number of First Temporarily Professed Members: |
Seven (7) |
| Date of their Profession: |
July 8th 1973 |
| Number of First Perpetually Professed members: |
Six (6) |
| Date of their Profession: |
September 1st 1989. |
| Name of First Master of Novices: |
Rev. Fr. Francis Akwue CSSp. |
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| CHAPTER AND CONSTITUTION |
| Date of First General Chapter: |
22nd September – 3rd October 1996. |
| Date of Second General Chapter: |
16th September–28th September 2002 |
| Date of Third General Chapter: |
8th September – 20th September 2008. |
| Date of Approval of Constitution: |
15th August 1992. By: Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji {Bishop of Umuahia Diocese} |
| 1st Superior General: |
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. James-Michael Okpalaonwuka, SMMM (1996-2008) |
| 2nd Superior General: |
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. George Maduakolam Okorie, SMMM (2008 - ) |
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SMMM Students' Community Ulakwo Goes to the News Stand with the VOICE OF MERCY MAGAZINE |
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THE COMPLETED RE-ROOFING PROJECT OF OUR NOVITIATE HOUSE AT UMULE
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THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF OUR FATHER FOUNDER |
Bishop Ugorji being flanked by Fr. Simon Okeke and Very Rev. Dr. George Okorie,SMMM during the Eucharistic Celebration |
Bishop Lucius Ugorji blessing the Grave of Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo,CSSP |
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This year’s anniversary of the death of our Father Founder, Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo,CSSP was celebrated in a very remarkable fashion by the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, in conjunction with the Congregations of Sons and Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Umuahia.
The Eucharistic Mass which was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji started at about 9:15am with a long procession into the Cathedral. In his homily, which gave a detailed biography of Bishop Nwedo, Bishop Ugorji described Late Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo,CSSP as a holy man and a great missionary of his time. He is the first Igbo Bishop and the first indigenous founder of a Religious Congregation in Africa; which came as a solution to the lack of personnel in his Diocese. He also founded many schools for intellectual formation of the young minds. In his words, Bishop Ugorji described Bishop Nwedo as “a powerful preacher of the Word of God, who denounced nad denied the evils of his age fearlessly. He always reminds people of the transient nature of the world – ‘Anyi biara abia, anyi ga-ala ala’. However, despite his abandonment to the will of God, Bishop Nwedo was a man of strong will. He also experienced moments of pain and suffering towards the end of his life as a result of cancer. But he saw all these as a way God was purifying him for the life to come.” In conclusion, Bishop Ugorji urged all present to emulate the virtues – (self sacrifice, prayerful life, and courage in the face of difficulties, etc.) of Bishop Gogo Nwedo, which he says is “a source of great inspiration for all missionaries both now and in the future”. Click Here to Read More |
| For the Papers presented on the celebration, Click the links below: |
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THE BURIAL CEREMONY OF late REV. BRO. HYACINTH PAUL CHIKWE, SMMM |
Late Bro. Hyacinth Chikwe lying in state at Hoy Trinity Cath. Church Umule (Near SMMM Novitiate House) |
The Final Commendation being carried out by the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Victor Chikwe |
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It was on the 8th day of April, 2010 that the remains of our dearly and cherished brother, Late Rev. Bro. Hyacinth Paul Chikwe, SMMM (Hi-Man) was committed to the mother earth, in a Holy Mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji at Holy Trinity Parish Umule (Near SMMM Novitiate House) .
In his Homily, Rev. Fr. Innocent Ekeagwu, SMMM reminded all that even though death is not pleasant to the ears, but it is always a reality in our life. He went on to warn against the ‘material understanding’ of death, just like the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ did on their way to Emmaus. Hence, as Christians we must always have the right understanding of life. Quoting St. Bernard, he said that “death is the means through which we put to an end all the toils, troubles and anxieties of this transient world …” Going further, he described Bro. Hyacinth as a man who used his handwork to touch many lives. A man of simplicity and always fulfilled in his vocation. In his words, “He is always focused on Heaven, as his ardent devotion to the Holy Eucharist will testify”.
After the final prayer, the Vicar General of SMMM thanked all present for making out this time to come and condole with us. The final commendation was then carried out by Most Rev. Dr. Victor Chikwe of Ahiara Diocese, at the end of which everybody proceeded to the grave-side where the remains of Bro. Hyacinth Chikwe, SMMM was committed to the mother earth by Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji at about 1:30PM.
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OBITUARY ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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With total resignation to the will of God, we announce the passing on into eternity of Mrs. Fidelia Okparaeke of Akeme-Unoh Arondizuogu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. She was the mother of Bro. Cyprian Okparaeke a Novice of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy Congregation, Umuahia Abia State.
The burial Mass comes up on Thursday 29th July, 2010 at St. Philip's Catholic Church Akeme-Unoh Arondizuogu by 10:00am.
may God grant her eternal rest and console her family. Please pray for the happy repose of her gentle soul.
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