David Michael Okechukwu's Blog

Thursday of week 17 in Ordinary Time   Liturgical Colour: Green. Readings at Mass Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 67: 6-7, 36 God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people. Collect O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. First reading Jeremiah 18:1-6 The word that was addressed to Jeremiah by the Lord, ‘Get up and make your way down to the potter’s house; there I shall let you hear what I have to say.’ So I went down to the potter’s house; and there he was, working at the wheel. And whenever...

Today's Verse “Shout joyful praise to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious He is.” – Psalm 66:1-2 There are times in life that we all need Joy. When we live our lives in Joyful Praise it begins to change our whole outlook on life. We begin to see just how amazing the world around us actually is. Joy in unconditional and can reveal a whole new world to us. Take a few moments today to embrace Joyful Praise. Give God the glory for something He has done in your life today and share that testimony with those around you. Have you ever heard of the phrase “Pay it forward?” Well that is what is being encouraged here, share your Joyful praise with three other people today and ask them to share their own with three more. Let’s see where it leads. Who knows, we may even start a revival. – Commentary by Matthew Elliott Today's Prayer Father God, I desire to share my Joyful Praise with those around me, he...

Other saints: Saint Kenelm (-821) Birmingham Saint Kenelm was the son of Kenwulf, who was King of Mercia from 796 to 821. There is a strong local tradition that identifies a particularly steep and narrow valley in the Clent Hills as the place where Kenelm was murdered. The site is marked by a medieval Church dedicated to him. A two-line Anglo-Saxon verse, which probably represents the folk-memory of the event, can be translated: On the Clent Hills · Kenelm is there in the cow valley · born to be king under a hawthorn tree · a headless corpse lies he. An eleventh-century  Life of St Kenelm in Latin contains many fanciful legends but reflects the belief that the Prince was killed as the result of dynastic quarrels within the Mercian royal family; in fact his uncle Kelwulf succeeded to the throne. In an age when politics were conducted according to the maxim: “Kill or be killed”, it is probable that Kenelm’s reputation for holiness came from his refusal to adopt such me...

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time   Liturgical Colour: Green. Readings at Mass Entrance Antiphon Ps 53: 6, 8 See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul. I will sacrifice to you with willing heart, and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. Collect Show favour, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. First reading Genesis 18:1-10 The Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, and bowed to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said ‘I beg you, if I find favour wit...

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 - 1680) Known as the “Lily of the Mohawks” and the “Geneviève of New France,” she was born in the Mohawk fortress of Ossemenon in what is now New York State, the daugher of a Mohawk warrior and a Catholic Algonquin woman whom he had saved from captivity at the hands of the Iroquois. When she was about four, smallpox killed her parents and her brother and left her scarred and with impaired eyesight. She was adopted by her uncle, the chief of the Turtle clan, and had many offers of marriage. She received some knowledge of Christianity from Jesuit missionaries when she was 11, and she determined to live the life not only of a Christian but of a Christian virgin: a heroic determination at the time. She was baptized when she was 20 and eventually, to escape persecution and death threats, she fled to an established Christian community at Kahnawake in what is now Québec. She advanced in union with God, with bodily mortification and intense prayer, and died a...

Keshi’s burial committee to be inaugurated today — 8th July 2016 The National Committee for the State Funeral of late Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (CON) who died on 8th June, 2016 is to be inaugurated today by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Dalung.The Minister approved the constitution of the National Committee which comprises family members, coaches, ex- internationals, a club owner, media, football administrators and representatives of the Ministry, the armed forces and paramilitary.The committee will be headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa while he will be assisted by the the President Nigeria Football Federation Mr Amaju Pinnick.Other committee members are Ambassador Joe Keshi, Emmanuel Ado, Jennifer Keshi, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Augustine Eguavoen, Joseph Yobo, Coach Fanny Amun, Austine Mgbolu, Mitchell Obi, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and Luka Jonathan Mangset.Chief Tonobok Okowa will represent Delta State while...

The most populated country in Africa, Nigeria has become an untapped tourist paradise with long stretches of exotic beaches, lush mountains, well preserved tradition and culture and enchanting tourist attractions.From the spiritual shines to the ancient cities of the north, from the river deltas to the Yoruba kingdoms, the Ibo’s stunning environments and among many simply pure sceneries; Nigeria leaves every visitor breathing hard with suspense and excitement. We present to you 30 top attractions in Nigeria:1. The Ibeno Beach Ibeno BeachPhoto Source: Skyscrapercity.com A blissful destination for tourists stretched over 245km on a sand bank in Ibeno lies the Ibeno Beach, a little haven for leisure seekers. The roaring waves, spots for sunbathing, unpolluted foliage of the mangrove forest, cool breeze from the water and a lush surrounding give this destination an unimaginable allure for tourists.Location: Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State2. Obudu Mountain Resort Obudu Cattle RanchAbov...

Other saints: Saint Kilian (- 689) Ireland He was born in County Cavan, Ireland. He was a missionary bishop and the apostle of Franconia, which is nowadays the northern part of Bavaria, in the late 7th century. He preached the Gospel in Würzburg and converted the local Duke and much of the population. He was martyred by beheading, possibly at the behest of the Duke’s wife, possibly because she was the widow of the Duke’s brother and Kilian had declared her subsequent marriage to the Duke to be illegal.

Friday of week 14 in Ordinary Time   Liturgical Colour: Green. Readings at Mass Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 47: 10-11 Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice. Collect O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. First reading Hosea 14:2-10 The Lord says this: Israel, come back to the Lord your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall. Provide yourself with words and come back to the Lord. Say to him, ‘Take all iniquity away so that we may have happiness again and offer you our words of praise. Assyria c...