Fada Chris Goni

19/04/2026

Happy Mothers' Day celebration to all women. This is to thank you all for the daily sacrifices you make. May God bless you abundantly.

25/06/2025

June 24, 2025

4th Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of His Lordship, Most Rev. David AJANG, Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese.

Once again the rejoicing and thanksgiving mood experienced four years ago was rekindled. A little stroll back to 24th June, 2021 won't be a bad idea.

June 24th, 2021 will continue to jingle in the hearts of those who were part of the event that marked that day. And I believe the story will be told and retold to many generations to come.

The state Capital of Nasarawa State, stood still. What was the cause? The birth of a New Local Ordinary for the Catholic Diocese of Lafia in the person of Monsignor David AJANG. To state that the capital stood still was being too economical with the truth. From his announcement, the heavens thundered and flash of lighting was experienced. At his arrival, the state capital gate experienced cheers that thundered, songs were heard, dances to streams of different melodious drums played with passion and all seriousness. People lined up on the streets. Traffic hauled. You speak about the personalities present. The high and mighty, the middle class, the common and uncommon, even infants made their presence. Some had to climb "sycamore" trees to catch a glimpse of his passing. The experience was never to be heard from a third party, not even a second party.

At the Cathedral Church of St William's Lafia, the earth quaked! One thing you must note is that the Cathedral Church of St William's, which is the seat of the Bishop is a beauty to behold and envy. Architecturally designed, flawlessly constructed, lavishly decorated and magnificently standing at the heart of the state Capital. You cannot not marvel in waow, with your jaw dropping as you step into this "Lafia Sistine Basilica". The elegantly adored Stained glass windows breaths rainbow colours into the Church. The angels hovering around the sanctuary, the images of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph gives the sanctuary a touch of the heavenly experience of the apostle John in Revelation. The gigantic cross on the wall of the sanctuary evokes 'a down in adoration be given'. The altar of sacrifice, long and accommodating depicts our 'deep within us and shared among us' keeping the heart and mind of Jesus Christ. The Presidia communicates heaven drown and married to earth. The multiple doors are a sign of the Church's readiness and availability, open to receiving all for spiritual rapport.

The beautifully carved sculptors of the twelve apostles projects the Church on the twelve apostolic foundations on both sides, with Jesus Christ being the main foundation stone, supported by St Williams, the Patron Saint of the Cathedral. Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu, now Archbishop of Jos, ya gama aiki a nan.

With the multiple doors, meant to inspire for worship and encounter, the cathedral Church was completely filled to its brim and overlapping. All a sundry came to witness the all important and life changing event of the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor David AJANG.

Today makes it four years on the dot since that all grandeur and life changing epoch event. Here we are, counting our blessings and naming them one by one. May I borrow few words, though modified, of the group singers with the stage name, "Style Plus" to sing:

Four years don waka, you still they carry go, you no waka, you no go solo, it's all baba God eh, by His grace oh Adupe oh!"

Cosa significa é numero quattro?

In your introductory words, you told us that someone asked you what is special about 4? "Nothing" was your response. But you also added that it's significance lies in the event that will take place to mark the day - the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 'New Ultra Modern Pope Francis Pastoral Center's to serve the needs of the Diocese and beyond. A need that is of great necessity. With this, numero quattro was worn a garment of significance.

Four years truly is a remarkable feat worthy of thanksgiving that is of amazing grace, if not for anything but for the gift of life. An inward introspection of your amazing and dynamic leadership style, leaves us in no darkness of your strong desire married with your unflinchinging dedication and wholehearted self-giving for the growth and sustainability of the Diocese.

The liveliness of today's celebration bears it all. The gentle smile! The warm looks! And the ever appreciating tone. 'At the mystery of faith' you sang the self surrendering and renewing song, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back". The passion with which you sang and the expression on you was that of one rededicating himself, charged and fired with renewed zeal for service for God and his people. I couldn't help but feel the aura that disseminated from the altar to the people. It was a heavenly committed encounter.

As our coach, we believe that with your technical know-how, divinely planned by God in the different in-roads and layers He led you, the trophy at the end of the season will be won with even 10 matches yet to be played. We believe in your direction and vision, and on this "You will never walk alone".

Congratulations once again My Lord and may your reign continue to usher in fresh air building on the legacies of your predecessor. May the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the company of the Saints intercede for you both now and for ever. Amen

Fr Christopher Goni

27/01/2025

THE REACTIONS

Yesterday I posted this on my WhatsApp status,

"Am truly sorry", and the reactions I got were amazing.

Few asked what happened?,

Another fraction responded, You are forgiven while a chunk enquired Who did you offend.

It is amazing to note how people react to what is posted on social media.

Sometimes, no, most times, most people make comments without understanding leading circumstances.

What is the storyline? How about the behind the scenes? What is the drive or what purpose does it seek to achieve?

Internal probing of the self with research will lead to being well informed before commenting. When well informed, you stand a better chance to comment.

Back to what I posted. I had written "Am truly sorry" with a quotation mark. Which indicates that I quoted it from somewhere, not directly my words. Ignoring some little things when either reading or writing can alter the meaning and context of usage.

As we read through the social media spaces, let us read to be informed and not deformed.

01/11/2024

Solemnity of All the Saints. 1st November, 2024
Brief Reflection.

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All the Saints. Let’s take few minutes to reflect on the meaning and significance of today.

We have four questions to serve as guide:

1. What are we celebrating?
2. Who are we celebrating?
3. Why are we celebrating?
4. How are we celebrating?

1. The “What” of the celebration.

What we celebrate is the Solemnity of All the Saints. Saints known and unknown. Men and women, young and old, of different status and strata from different nation, race, tribe and language. This extends to include but not limited to our forefathers who lived in accordance to the simple rule of life. We celebrate what St John in his vision refers to as a huge multitudes of people, impossible to count (Rev. 7:9-14).

2. The “Who” of the celebration.

The who of the celebration reminds us of the meaning and expression of the word Saint. A saint is anyone who is in the state of grace. It refers to and not limited to those who by their heroic virtue during life are recognized by the Church through canonization. But again, there is a simple definition. This puts a saint as anyone who is ordinary and lives ordinary life in an extraordinary way. They are men and women, boys and girls who have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb. Thus, they are now dressed in white and addressed as Saints. They constantly enjoy the beatific vision of the Father in Heaven offering praise and adoration. We see in them people who have gone through the great tribulations but were unperturbed, the stood firm cause they were planted on Christ the solid rock, wind came, it rained and they firmly stood still. Suffering, pains, adversity, persecutions were lubricants oiling the fiber of their hope, fueling their trust and nourishing their faith. They now complete the hope and reason for our creation, ‘to be happy with God in the next – heaven’.

3. The “Why” of the celebration.

The why of the celebration could be found in the Apostolic Creed we profess. We say “… the Communion of Saints …” This clearly shows that there is a communion of Saints, both of the living and the dead. The last definition of who a saint is reveals the saintly life to have begun while we lived. If that is the case, which it’s is – to be qualified for the life above, the life below is the criteria – there is a connection between the Communion or common union of the saints and the common union of the living. This if further explained when we depict the Church in it’s triangular definition. The triangular definition of the Church posits: Church Triumphant (saints) Church Militant (living) and Church Suffering (purgation). In this triangular definition of the ecclesia, the interconnectedness amongst the three is seen in this light of common union: the Church Militant prays for the intercession of the Church Triumphant, and the Church Suffering relies on the prayers and supplications of the Church Militant. We share that bond of union with the Saints in a hope of being like them someday. In the pursuit of this hope, we ask and solicit for the intercession of the saints.

4. The “How” of the celebration.

The how of the celebration raises a pragmatic question of our existence. How are we to concretize this day? We believe that it is most important today, tomorrow and (semper) always to strive to live godly and saintly lives. The demands of constantly washing our robes in the blood of the Lamb is a sine qua non ad necessity. We must be wary of the of the maxim, ‘Life is short so enjoy it '. In as much as life is short, we must not loose sight of the fact that ' Eternity is forever, strive for it'. The saints understood the vanities of life, it’s shortness, temporal and it’s susceptibility to decay and dust. This prompted them to trade with caution on the demands of pleasing the now at the detriment of the eternal NOW. We clearly see this in the way they handled persecutions, adversities, pains, sufferings and other treatments. We may not experience the same difficulties as they did or may even experience worst, let us receive them with gladness with the assurance of Christ in the beatitudes – blessed are those who are persecuted for the cause of right, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Finally, St John in his first letter admonishes us this way: “Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ”. 1 Jn.3:3 For the hope of a saintly life, attach your self to a saint of your choice today. Peace be with you!!!

Oh when the saints, go marching in, when the saints go marching in, O Lord I want to be in their numbers, when the saints go marching in.

22/09/2024

Commentator:

"Arsenal defending like demons".

02/09/2024

*Welcome to the month of Special Divine favours and breakthrough🤝*

It is the first day of the month of September.

The first month of the Ember months.

The last quarter of the year.

I join men and women of goodwill to specially congratulate you for coming this far. It is by the grace and mercy of God and we are eternally grateful to him.

The Ember months comes with great anxiety, and fear. But Child of God, Our Lord Jesus Christ says to you *"Fear not, I have overcome the world" John 16: 33*. And I assure you,through the powerful prophetic message of the Prophet Isaiah, that no evil shall befall you. *Isaiah 4: 10-14*.

All the Lord asks of you is to trust in Him. For those who trust in the Lord,they are like mount Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever *Psalm 125:1*.

Your help will always come from the Lord, He is your Shepherd and your shield. He will guide you through the darkest valley, through the stormy weather, through the barren desert and land you safe on Canaan land, where milk and honey shall flow in abundance for you. *Psalm 23*.

I pray this month brings happiness and joy to you and your family 🙏 all the blessings loaded for this month shall not pass you by as you journey through the 9th month of the year and beyond.

We shall dance to your success and breakthrough. Testimonies shall flow like a river uninterrupted in your life and family.✨

All pending transactions shall be transactions successful 💯💯. You shall experience back to back winnings. Whatever you have lost last month shall be returned back to you just keep on believing on God for you shall overcome.

*I bless you with the priestly blessing God spoke to Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons in Numbers 6: 24-26*.

*May the Lord bless you and watch over you!

*May the Lord let His face shine on you, and be gracious to you!

*May the Lord look kindly upon you, and give you His peace.

*May the blessings of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit remain with you both now and forever*. *Amen*

*Happy new month of September.*

17/08/2024

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

5 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

1. Examine your conscience – recall the sins that you have committed since your last good confession.

2. Be sincerely sorry for your sins. If you are having trouble with this, take time to meditate on Jesus suffering because of your sin.

3. Confess your sins to the priest.

4. Make certain that you confess all your mortal sins – number/kind.

5. After confession, do the penance assigned.

𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

𝟭. 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑮𝒐𝒅. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆.

✝️Do I give God time every day in prayer?
✝️Do I seek to love Him with my whole heart?
✝️Have I been involved with superstitious practices or have I been involved with the occult?
✝️Do I seek to surrender myself to God´s word as taught by the Church?
✝️Have I ever received communion in the state of mortal sin?
✝️Have I ever deliberately told a lie in Confession or have I withheld a mortal sin from the priest in Confession?
✝️Are there other "gods" in my life? Money, Security, Power, People, etc.?

𝟮. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒏.
✝️Have I used God´s name in vain: lightly or carelessly?
✝️Have I been angry with God?
✝️Have I wished evil upon any other person?
✝️Have I insulted a sacred person or abused a sacred object?

𝟯. 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅´𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚.
✝️Did I miss Mass on any Sunday or Holyday of Obligation? (Bad weather and being sick do not count)
✝️Have I shown disrespect by leaving Mass early, not paying attention or not joining in the prayers? ✝️Did I do unnecessary work on Sunday which could have been done the day before?
✝️Have I been stingy in my support for the Church? ✝️Do I give of my time & talent?

𝟰. 𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.
✝️Do I honor and obey my parents?
✝️Have I neglected my duties to my spouse and children?
✝️Have I given my family good religious example?
✝️Do I try to bring peace into my home life?
✝️Do I care for my aged and infirm relatives?

𝟱. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍.
✝️Have I had an abortion or encouraged or helped anyone to have an abortion?
✝️Have I physically harmed anyone?
✝️Have I abused alcohol or drugs?
✝️Did I give scandal to anyone, thereby leading him or her into sin?
✝️Have I been angry or resentful?
✝️Have I harbored hatred in my heart?
✝️Have I mutilated myself through any form of sterilization?
✝️Have I encouraged or condoned sterilization?
✝️Have I engaged, in any way, in sins against humanlife such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization?
✝️Have I participated in or approved of euthanasia?

𝟲. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚
✝️Have I been faithful to my marriage vows in thought and action?
✝️Have I engaged in any s*xual activity outside of marriage?
✝️Have I used any method of contraception or artificial birth control in my marriage?
✝️Has each s*xual act in my marriage been open to the transmission of new life?
✝️Have I been guilty of ma********on?
✝️Do I seek to control my thoughts and imaginations?
✝️Have I respected all members of the opposite s*x, or have I thought of other people as mere objects?
✝️Have I been guilty of any homos*xual activity?
✝️Do I seek to be chaste in my thoughts, words,actions?
✝️Am I careful to dress modestly?

𝟳. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒍.
✝️Have I stolen what is not mine?
✝️Have I returned or made restitution for what I have stolen?
✝️Do I waste time at work, school, and home?
✝️Do I gamble excessively, thereby denying my family of their needs?
✝️Do I pay my debts promptly?
✝️Do I seek to share what I have with the poor?
✝️Have I cheated anyone out of what is justly theirs, for example creditors, insurance companies, big corporations?

𝟴. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓´𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆.
✝️Have I consented to impure thoughts?
✝️Have I caused them by impure reading, movies, television, conversation or curiosity?
✝️Do I pray at once to banish impure thoughts and temptations?
✝️Have I behaved in an inappropriate way with members of the opposite s*x: flirting, being superficial, etc.?
✝️Do I view pornographic material (magazines, videos, internet, hot-lines)?
✝️Have I gone to massage parlors or adult book stores?

𝟵. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓´𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔
✝️Have I stolen any object, committed any shoplifting or cheated anyone of their money?
✝️Did I knowingly deceive someone in business or commit fraud?
✝️Have I shown disrespect or even contempt for other people’s property?
✝️Have I done any acts of vandalism?
✝️ Am I greedy or envious of another’s goods?
✝️Do I let financial and material concerns or the desire for comfort override my duty to God, to Church, to my family or my own spiritual well-being?

𝟭𝟬. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓.
✝️Have I told a lie in order to deceive someone? ✝️Have I told the truth with the purpose and intention of ruining someone’s reputation (sin of detraction)?
✝️Have I told a lie or spread rumors which may ruin someone’s reputation (sin of calumny or slander)? ✝️Did I commit perjury by false swearing an oath on the Bible?
✝️Am I a busybody or do I love to spread gossip and secrets about others?
✝️Do I love to hear bad news about my enemies?
✝️Do I speak badly of others behind their back?
✝️Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
✝️Am I critical, negative or uncharitable in my thoughts of others?

𝐀 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

1. You always have the option to go to confession anonymously, that is, behind a screen or face to face, if you so desire.

2. After the priest greets you in the name of Christ, make the sign of the cross. He may choose to recite a reading from Scripture, after which you say: "Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession. These are my sins."

3. Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction.

4. Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him. Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins.

5. The priest will then dismiss you with the words of praise: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. You respond: "For His mercy endures forever." The priest will then conclude with:"The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace." And you respond by saying: "Thanks be to God."

6. Spend some time with Our Lord thanking and praising Him for the gift of His mercy. Try to perform your penance as soon as possible.

𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

O most merciful God! Prostrate at your feet, I implore your forgiveness. I sincerely desire to leave all my evil ways and to confess my sins with all sincerity to you and to your priest. I am a sinner, have mercy on me, O Lord. Give me a lively faith and a firm hope in the Passion of my Redeemer. Give me, for your mercy´s sake a sorrow for having offended so good a God. Mary, my mother, refuge of sinners, pray for me that I may make a good confession. Amen.

𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Oh my God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
And failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

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24/06/2024

Hearty 3rd Episcopal Anniversary our Amiable Bishop.
Most Rev. David AJANG of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia.

On this same date, three years ago,Lafia town was agog with ecstacy as all roads led to St William's Cathedral, Lafia for the historic and memorable event of the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Most Rev David AJANG as the second Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

The unprecedented influx of dignitaries from all fields of endeavour, not forgetting the physically challenged, was a beauty to behold. Government functionaries from the twin state of the Plateau, Neighbouring counterpart of Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital all graced this epoch making event. Traditional rulers were actively present. People from different faith and religious beliefs formed part of the congregation. Indeed, it was a resounding celebration chiefly because of what the Catholic Church stands for and upholds in the life of the society and also because of the personalities involved, two great men, one outgoing and the other incoming. With such a huge crowd, we were left in no doubt of what Lafia Diocese will become in no time, as well as Nasarawa State at large.

Like a skilled fisherman, after receiving the mantle of leadership after the perfect example of Jesus Christ, the overall Shepherd of His Sheep, His Lordship Most Rev David AJANG sat in to real Pastoral and Administrative duties. What we have today, three years after that memorable event which still lingers in our hearts, is a genuine efforts of a man, who sees beyond personal gains to the gains and growth of the Diocese in all aspects.

Back to the skilled fisherman, understanding that the old method of fishing has become obsolete, there was an urgent need to step in with a new dynamics of change while sustaining the fundamental and foundational architectural framework. As expected, newer innovations began to set in. New thoughts and pattern began to flow.

Today makes it three years, and you still they carry go. Our prayers is that you will continue to experience renewed strength day by day. God will continue to grant you wisdom to Shepherd His flock to greener pastures. Understanding that you carry this treasure in vessels of clay, "Thesaurum in vasis fictilibus", God will continue to be your Divine Director. May His Peace, Love, Grace and Mercy abide with you both now and forever more. Amen

Hearty 3rd Episcopal Anniversary My Lord!

01/06/2024

TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST.

HAPPY solemnity of CORPUS CHRISTI.

26/05/2024