St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church Ikenegbu Owerri-Imo State

15/01/2026

For those who wish to apply to cleratians
APPLICATION 2022/2023

Some aspirants have been waiting for a formal announcement before they start applying.
If you feel called to be a Claretian Missionary, kindly apply through this email address:

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address:
The Vocations Director,
Claretian Missionaries,
Delegation of West Nigeria
Claretian Postulate House, Ibefun,
P. O. Box 328, Ijebu-Ode
Ogun State.

Note - (Preferably for candidates from Delta and Edo down to the South West region and North Central, which are our jurisdictions).

While Candidates within the South East (across the Niger and North) can easily apply through this email below for the East Nigerian Province:

Phone: 08169955011
Email:[email protected]

Postal Address:
The Vocation director
Claretian Missionaries East Nigeria Province
P.M.B 1019
Owerri
Imo state.

11/01/2026

DEAR CATHOLICS,

CHRISTMAS
IS OFFICIALLY OVER

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.
This feast brings to an end the season of Christmas.

Christmas Doesn’t Fade Away — It Concludes with Purpose

Many people treat Christmas as a date on the calendar: December 25 arrives, gifts are opened, decorations slowly come down, and life resumes. But in the Catholic tradition, Christmas is not a single day. It is a season — a sacred stretch of time meant for reflection, worship, and interior transformation.

The Church formally concludes the Christmas season with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. This moment is not an afterthought; it is a theological pivot point. At the Jordan River, Jesus steps into public life. Heaven opens, the Spirit descends, and the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son.” Christmas moves from quiet wonder to active mission.

In other words, the Child in the manger becomes the Savior who walks among us.

This feast reminds believers that faith is not meant to remain sentimental or decorative. Nativity scenes and carols are beautiful, but Christianity is not nostalgia. The Baptism of Jesus calls the faithful forward — toward responsibility, witness, and spiritual maturity.

There is also a personal dimension. Baptism is not merely something that happened once in infancy; it defines identity. Every baptized person shares in Christ’s mission: to live truthfully, love sacrificially, and act courageously in the world. The close of the Christmas season invites a quiet but serious question: What kind of life flows from the faith we celebrate?

Liturgically, this transition matters. The Church shifts from contemplation of the Incarnation toward the unfolding ministry of Christ — His teaching, healing, confrontation of injustice, and invitation to conversion. Spiritually, it is a movement from adoration to action.

Ending a season does not diminish its meaning. It sharpens it. Just as dawn gives way to day so that work may begin, Christmas hands the light forward into ordinary time — where holiness is practiced in routine, patience, service, and perseverance.

The message is simple but demanding: celebration must become transformation. Faith must move from symbol to substance. The joy of Christmas matures into responsibility, purpose, and commitment.

Sacred seasons teach rhythm, not escapism. They train the soul to enter the world with clarity instead of comfort, conviction instead of convenience.

The Child has been revealed.
Now the mission begins.

10/01/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/N4MRHX9h2Uc?si=NwiRO43pRA5S9MwH

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/01/2026

BECOMING APOSTLES OF LOVE AND COMPASSION
At the dawn of the new year, we are invited to become apostles of love; "for God is love, and anyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1Jn 4:7). If we love one another, God will abide with us and in us. His presence can not depart from any place where love exists or from a loving and compassionate heart. 

Love ignites an atmosphere for miracles; for where there is great love, there are always great miracles and possibilities. This is reflected in the Gospel reading today (Mk 6:34-44). The one who showed love gave his little meal for a large crowd, and the power of God made it possible to go round, and they had left over. If we want to enjoy God's miracles, then we must love one another, *for where love exists, miracles abound.

Finally, the question Jesus asked his disciples, "How many loaves have you?" is a nice question to begin the year. What can you afford to offer? What can you contribute as a solution to the problem on ground? Many times, we complain and criticize a lot without seeking to proffering better solutions or contributing our own quota. Jesus invites us to quit complaining and give from what we have, no matter how little. Whatever we have, we must share and help one another - no excuses. 

Indeed, people who love each other are the happiest people in the world. They may have little, they may have nothing, but they are the happiest people. Everything depends on how we love one another. That is the miracle of love.

01/01/2026

Entering a new year is an opportunity of grace. An opportunity that only the Giver of life can give to His own. It is a time to renew oneself in the Lord. It is a moment to renew one's commitments to God and to the entire humanity.

It is an opportunity to remain resilient in the journey of life, in obedience to the Lord of life. No matter how your experiences in life were last year, seeing this present year is an enormous opportunity to strengthen your hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and to believe that you are not alone in this new year.

And so, God will never deny you His grace and blessings; rather, He will bless you and protect you. He will smile on you and be gracious to you. He will show you His favours and give you His peace (cf. Num. 6:24-26). Believe it and move on under the Lordship of Christ, who alone has the monopoly to give life. Happy New Year, dear brothers and sisters.

31/12/2025

As we thank God who has brought us to the end of the year today, let us also find time to appreciate all who have assisted us by words and action during the course of the year; our families, relations, friends, colleagues, parishioners and well wishers. Pray for them and be grateful.

29/12/2025

BREAKING !

Master SomtooChukwu Ohiaegbulam emerges winner of the Parish’s Holy Childhood Association presidential election!
———————————————————————-

In an election held recently, Master SomtooChukwu Ohiaegbulam emerged the president of the Parish’s Holy Childhood Association and Miss Blessing was also elected his deputy.

The election conducted by Very Rev. Fr Isidienu CMF was free and fair election . The Children of the Parish are excited and look forward to a great SomtooChukwu/Blessing led administration.

Their inauguration will be held at the 7am mass on the 11th of January,2026.

Congratulations beloved Children!
God is with you 🩷

28/12/2025

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy family, we are invited to learn from them how to uphold the virtues that holds and strengthens the family namely: staying together, approving and appreciating one another, respecting each member of our family, blessing members of our family, forgiving each other, and always inviting Jesus into our homes, because his presence brings peace, joy, healing, and love.

25/12/2025