FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS - CHIEF CHARLES NGOZI ONYEGBULE

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I commend you, my dear CHARLES NGOZI ONYEGBULE, SAKEM, a loving, kind and caring husband, father and grandfather, to the almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator.

May you rest in the arms of the Lord who formed you from the dust of the earth.

May holy Mary, the angels and all the saints welcome you now that you have gone forth from this life.

May Christ who was crucified for you, bring you freedom and peace.

May Christ who died for you admit you into his garden of paradise.

May Christ, the true Shepherd, embrace you as one of his flock.

May he forgive all your sins, and set you among those he has chosen.

May you see your Redeemer face to face, and enjoy the vision of God, forever.

Eternal rest grant unto SAKEM, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May your soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

May the almighty God who is the husband of the widows and father to the fatherless continue to console us, strengthen us, wipe away our tears and fill the vacuum that your absence has created. We love you but God loves you more.

May your kind spirit, your gentle soul and forever forgiving heart

continue to watch over us, guide and protect us, until we meet to part no more.

I will miss you forever, love you forever, I will never forget you, I will remember you every single day of my life until we meet to part no more.

My soulmate, my partner, and my friend, may the good lord continue to fight all our battles and watch over your family.

May you continue to rest in the lord until we meet to part no more.

SAKEM, it is well with your soul, it is well with your soul, it is well with your soul.

In Jesus name I have prayed. Amen!!!

Signed: Your Soulmate

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hief Ngozi Onyegbule was the first child of Chief Ignatius Onukwufor and Lolo Christiana Nmasinachi Onyegbule of Umuihi, Ogbe Nneisii, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA), Imo State, Nigeria. The union of Chief Ignatius and Lolo Christiana Onyegbule, which was consummated with a Sacrament of Matrimony on Saturday, December 26, 1953 at the St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Nnarambia, Ahiara, Mbaise, was blessed, almost one year to their wedding anniversary, with the arrival of Ngozi Onyegbule on November 4, 1954 at the Holy Rosary Maternity, Nguru, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, where he was delivered by Mrs. Ezeala as the Midwife. Ngozi's father, the first person to go to College in his Autonomous Community, attended and graduated from the prestigious Saint Charles' Teacher's College, Onitsha in 1948.

His

mother, also a Teacher, was the first daughter of Professor Christopher Acharike Chukwu.

Ngozi attended many Primary Schools because his parents were being transferred to different schools in the former Eastern Region and East Central State, Nigeria.

Between 1960 and 1970, he attended St. Jude’s Primary

School, Amuzi, Ahiara, Mbaise, Local Authority School at Nnarambia, Ahiara, Mbaise, St. Thomas School, Lude, Ahiara and finally St. Paul’s School, Ogbe Ahiara, from where he completed his First School Leaving Certificate Examination, and proceeded to Mbaise Secondary School (MSS) in 1970, and graduated in 1975.

Following the footsteps of his parents, in October 1975, Ngozi was hired by the East Central State Board of Education as an Auxiliary Teacher, and posted to St. Matthias School, Aguleze, Ahiara, Mbaise, where he taught for about one year before entering Teacher’s College Azaregbelu, Emekukwu, Owerri in 1976 for a One-year Teacher's Certificate Program. On graduation in June 1977, he was posted to Ofekata Community School in Mbaitoli Local Government Area in Imo State.

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In 1979, Ngozi left the Teaching Profession, and joined the Imo State Government Civil Service after passing the State Civil Service Examination. He recalled that as a result of being the only applicant that wore a neck tie to the Interview at Aba, one of the Commissioners, after addressing the applicants, asked him to assist the Interviewing Panel during the three day Interview, and that when he was called up for his own interview on the third day, one of the female applicants surprising said to him, “I did not know that you are a fellow applicant”, and Ngozi, in his classic humor replied, “I am an applicant with a difference.” Suffice it to say that as a result of the impression he left on the Interviewing

panel, instead of beginning him with an Entry Level position, he was hired at a Middle Level Civil Service position as an Inspector of Cooperative and Community Development Projects, a position that earned him Direct Admission to the Imo State Cooperative College, Orlu, for a nine (9) months training as an Inspector. He graduated from Cooperative College in December, 1979, and was posted to the Aboh, Mbaise Local Government Area, where he worked in the Ministry of Cooperatives and Community Development for about three years.

Despite what most of his peers at the time considered as his remarkable progress, Ngozi's scholastic aptitude and yearning for further studies was far from being satisfied. In 1980, he took a Correspondence Course at the Trans World Tutorial College, England, and earned a Diploma in Business Management and Trading, and on February 5, 1982, he left the Nigerian shores for the United State of America to further his studies. He spent his first semester at Jamestown College, North Dakota before transferring to former Montclair State College, New Jersey in June 1982, and graduated in May 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

On June 5,1996, he earned a

Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from the City University of New York (CUNY).

On July 26, 1988, Ngozi met, courted and fell in love with beautiful twenty year-old Ms. Ebere Nwagwu, who was introduced to him by his sister Ndidi. When he met Ebere, he said “this is my lost rib that I have found; this one will make me complete; this one is the apple of my eyes; this one, indeed, is my Lord’s promised mate.” Two years later, on December 17, 1988, Ngozi and Ebere were joined in a Holy Wedlock, and Ebere joined him in New Jersey in January, 1989.

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Their beautiful and exemplary union produced five lovely children, Nnedinma in 1990, Ozioma in 1991, Onochie in 1993, Ezinne in 1997 and Chimaobi in 2006.

His two sons-in-law, Kelechi Iwu and Victor Amadi and his grandsons, Jidechukwu Iwu and Arinze Amadi were dear and near to him. Ngozi was eternally smitten with love and adoration for his

lost, but found rib, his loyal and obedient wife, Ebere, the mother of his five beautiful and handsome children, and the formidable fortress and foundation of his family.

From the first day he arrived in the United States, Ngozi worked hard both on his studies as well as various odd jobs at the early stage to support himself and his family in Nigeria. Whether as an Admission Aid at Montclair State University or as a Porter, a Janitor, a Security Guard or as a Doorman, he took pride in his job, and exhibited the highest level of work ethics which earned him commendations

from

his

co-workers

and

employers alike.

On June 15, 1992, Ngozi was employed by the New

Jersey

Superior

Court

Department

of

Probation as Probation Officer, a position he remained in and was due to retire from as a Senior Intake Probation Officer and Criminal Justice Counselor after 29 years of meritorious service.

His record of Community Service and Community

Organizing since 1970 was second to none.

In Secondary School, he was the Secretary to the Dramatic

Society,

Young

Christian

Society,

Debating Society, Geographical Society as well as a member of the School Choir and the House Captain of Macaulay House. In 1973, he became the first Treasurer of Emengaha Age Grade in Ogbe, his home town.

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In 1977, while in Teacher's College, he served as Secretary of the Ahiara Students' Union, and in 1980, he became the Secretary of Ndukaku Youth Club, a club that coordinated community activities in his town as well as organized the Feast of the two schools in his town. As a Teacher, he was the Social Director of the Ofekata Community School, Mbaitoli, Imo State, before he resigned in 1979.

Despite the

hustling and bustling of American busy life, Ngozi did not relent is in devotion and service to his Mbaise Community and the Igbo Community. In 1990, he was elected as the first Social and Publicity Secretary of Imo States Association of Nigerians in the Americas (ISANA), Inc., and he served two terms as well as on the Editorial Board of the ISANA Publication, the Rising Sun. He was the first elected ISANA Social Director to moderate the Imo Day Celebration in New Jersey in 1990.

With the creation of Abia State on August 27, 1991, and Imo State Association of Nigerians in the Americas was renamed Abia-Imo State Association of Nigerians in the Americas (AISANA) to reflect both Abia and Imo States, Ngozi also served as a two term Delegate of AISANA to Igbo-USA, New Jersey, an umbrella Organization of Igbo Communities in New Jersey, for two terms. In 1995, he was elected the sixth President of the Mbaise Association of New Jersey (MANJ), Inc., an organization he also served as Vice President and Social Director. He also served as the Social Director of the Ahiara Umunna Organization, and as the first elected President of the

Ogbe Nneissi Development Union, USA, a position he held until his transition to glory on May 14, 2021.

Ngozi was

an active and Founding member of the Umuihi Development

Organization, Inc. He was a prolific writer whose writing desire began from Nigeria.

While he was in Cooperative College, he wrote for a Radio Program called "The Talk After The News” as a Contributor, and one of his writings almost got him into trouble because he criticized the Department where he was working, and it was read on the Radio as well as published in the State’s owned Newspaper. The publication earned him an oral warning.

His published works include four books, "Never To Love Again",2004; "The Golden Master Pierces", 2003, "The Grieving Mind", 2005, "Love Forgives All Sins", 2009, and many publications in Journals and Magazines. Some of his poems are published in www.poetry.com. He received two Poetry Awards from the International Society of Poets, Five Awards from AISANA, Inc. and two Awards from the Mbaise Association of New Jersey, Inc. and a CEO Award from AMHDD, Inc. His poem “New York City Will Rise Again” that he sent to the President of USA, George W. Bush, earned him an Honorable Mention.

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His literary goal was to complete the other six book titles he planned to write so as to reach his goal of one million words in print. Ngozi's love for Poetry and Performing Arts dates back to his formative years. In 1973, as the Lead Actor in his Dramatic Society, his School won the first position in Mbaise Local Government, but their Play, "Bride Price" did not make it to the State level in East Central State because of lack of funding.

His hobbies were writing, listening to Country and African Traditional Music and traveling, which took him to France, Brazil, England, Canada, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Italy,

Germany, USA and Jamaica. He was a member of Probation Association of New Jersey and the international society of Poets, Washington DC, USA. Ngozi was a primus inter pares (first among equals) in may respects. Between 1960 and 1976, his litany of Firsts include being literally seen as a “First Son” in his Community where his father served faithfully a Councilman for Sixteen years.

His siblings, Loveth, Chinenyeze, Kelechi, Ndidi, Chianugwu and Ogechiare were also regarded as First Children. In 1955, with his blonde hair, he came first in a “Baby Contest”, organized by the St. Mary’s Parish Uvuru, Mbaise, where his parents were teaching. He was the First Grand Child, out of more than two hundred Grand Children from his Polygamous Maternal Grand Father. He was the first person to earn a University Degree in his

Polygamous Paternal family; the first in-law in the Nwagwu family, from Ihitteafoukwu, Ekwereazu, Mbaise. His wedding in 1988 was the first to be performed by Bishop Chikwe in Ahiara Diocese Cathedral. He was the first Treasurer of the Emengaha Age Grade, Ogbe Ahiara, Mbaise in 1973.

As most trail blazers, Ngozi had his fair share of triumphs and tribulations in life. His first experience with grief was in April, 1962 when his immediate junior brother whom he dedicated his fourth book died on his fourth birthday. He was very close to his paternal and maternal Grandmothers

who

died

on

February

12,

1968

and March 10, 1993 respectively. His Paternal Grandfather, Onyegbule Ekeoma, died before Ngozi was born, but his

Maternal Grandfather, who was very fond of him as his first Grandchild, died in September, 1970. His Maternal Grandfather's sense of humor, his stubborn, but principled resistance to Western Imperialism, his sense of compassion and generosity for the less privileged, the efficacy of his African traditional medicine and talisman, his charisma and his immaculate white robe he wore in public left enduring nostalgic memories on Ngozi.

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His aunt Adanne, Uwakonyenma Nwanyidiya Mbanaja, his father’s only sister was also very fond of him. She died immediately Ngozi graduated from High school in 1975, and he never had the opportunity to show appreciation for her love and goodness to him. On December 31, 1982, when Ngozi was barely nine months in the United States, his father suffered Stroke, but lived for another nine years before his transition to glory on January 16, 1992 at 6.03 p.m., with Ngozi being present.

Fifteen years later, on March 13, 1997, his mother slept in the Lord and joined his

father. The deaths of his parents, the bedrock and anchor of his being, affected Ngozi tremendously. In addition to the deaths of his parents and aunt, his life's journey was further marred by other misfortune. In 1980, he survived a motor cycle accident in Nigeria; in 1984, his apartment was burglarized in Newark, New Jersey, leaving him with the only clothes that he wore when he left his apartment that morning; in 1989, he was robbed at gun point at his second job as a Security Guard in Newark, New Jersey in an effort to support his young family; in January 1998, his wife survived a stolen car crash in East Orange, New Jersey that would have left him a Widower.

Despite these ordeals, Ngozi's ever cheerful demeanor effectively masked and concealed whatever emotional turmoil he endured. He was an eternal optimist

who derived joy from helping the less privileged or those in distress. He was the proverbial Good Shepherd to his nuclear and extended family as well as neighborhood kids, and a quintessential faithful, loyal and supportive husband to his wife.

His generosity and sense of compassion was transcendental and legendary.

He established a Scholarship program for twelve students in his home town in Nigeria to ensure that less privileged children were educated. He is an ardent advocate of Family Unity and African Culture. Children were his natural constituents and allies. He officiated on numerous occasions as the Santa Claus or Father Christmas during Children's Christmas parties as well as routinely gave lectures and seminars on such important cultural topics as Bride Price or Age Grade in Igbo land.

He encouraged Diaspora Igbo parents to teach their children Igbo language and culture, and advocated for an Igbo Cultural exchange tourism between United States and Nigeria, for our Diaspora born Igbo children, through what he described as "International Community Service" as a way to help our children learn and embrace the Igbo language, tradition and culture.

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Ngozi was a peaceful man who saw inner peace as a yardstick for success.

He believed that most unsuccessful people are unsuccessful because they undermine themselves with self-inflicted crises. His motto was “you need peace in yourself to be at peace with others”. While it is an arduous if not an impossible task to enumerate a list of those who positively influenced or impacted on the life of a man who was loved by many, if not all, without running the risk of obviously omitting others, the following persons and institutions had special places and

roles in the life of Chief Ngozi Onyegbule.

In his Academic Journey, he was indebted to his parents, Ignatius and Christiana, Francis

and

Rose

Ahunna,

Anacletus

Onyegbule,

Loveth

Bartholomew and Veronica Odom, Chima Chukwu, Jamestown College, North Dakota, Montclair State University, New Jersey and City University of New York. In his American Journey, he was indebted to Tobias and Elizabeth Chukwu, Paul Uzosike Sr. and Austin Uwaeme.

In his Work, he was indebted to Felecia Nwosu, Evergreen Restaurant, EIP Security, Pinkerton Security, Wells Fargo Security,

Alphonsus Onwuzuruike, Collins Ijoma and the Superior Court of New Jersey.

In his life as a Social and Community Organizer,

he was indebted to Umuihi Development Organization, Ahiara Umunna Charities, Mbaise Association of New Jersey, and AbiaImo Association of Nigerian in the Americas.

In his married life, he was indebted to his in-laws, Davidson and Rhoda Nwagwu for training and nurturing his beloved lost rib.

As a practicing Catholic, Ngozi received Five of the Seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church. He received the Sacrament of Baptism in January of 1955. He received the Sacraments of Eucharist in 1963, Reconciliation in 1963, Confirmation in 1966, and Matrimony in 1988. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is reserved for Priests, while his sudden transition to Glory on May 14, 2021 did not allow the prospect or opportunity of Sacrament of "Anointing of the Sick. However, each day that passed, Ngozi awaited the final hour as reflected in his Poem, Riding High, where he scripted his own Obituary:

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“RIDING HIGH” I know that death is on the way I am not ready to fight You cannot fight that I know But, I am ready to write As I put my thoughts together All ideas began to gather To pick the site of my grave is no problem I chose the site myself To execute my estate is no problem I shared my assets and liabilities while alert I like songs and praises I chose all the verses I like wood all the way I chose my own wooden casket I know many priests, pastors and the laity I chose all who will officiate I am enthused with tradition and culture I made sure all cultural rites are observed I know I may be sick I wrote a living will My soul was still in want I cleared all the paths So on that rite day I accepted honorably; all choices are made Nothing else to do; I began riding high Good night and farewell

Daddy, Chief Ngozi Onyegbule An Exceptional Man of Peace, until we meet to part no more.

Onochie Onyegbule (Son) For the Family

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May 14, 2001 y dearest brother, my mentor and my everything, The picture on this page reminds me of that faithful morning of May 14, 2021. I was even watching you pose for the picture at about 7:30 am (Nigerian time).

I still remember you asking me to join you in your morning workout exercise, I still remember you asking me to tell my siblings to start getting ready, I still remember you telling me that you are driving yourself to the mortuary, I still remember you calling me to come for breakfast, I still remember all the jokes you whispered in my ears at our uncle’s funeral.

Now that you are gone, you are no longer here to share the bond we had together.

A bond of love and care.

Yet, somehow something tells me that you are watching over me.

I miss you so very much. And my tears I cannot hide, Yet within my heart, I feel you are always by my side.

Ever since you passed away, life has never been the same.

Yet, it comforts me to know that one day we will meet again.

Denne, it is well with your soul.

Your baby brother,

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Kele my dear, your relationship with Nnam Oche was and remains a model of brotherhood for all to admire and emulate. His transition, albeit it a shocker, left us a memory of as close as one can imagine or come to an ideal mortal, who understood life with all of its imperfections, and took it in utmost stride. In our over 34 years of close friendship and association, which began with the Old Imo State Association of Nigerians in the Americas (ISANA), where we both served as the first elected General Secretary (me) and the first elected Publicity Secretary (him), and on the ISANA Rising Sun Editorial Board, where I served as the Editor, and he served as an Associate Editor, he remained nothing short of a Class Act. I was elated when he gave me the privilege and honor to review, proof and write the

Foreward to his first published Anthology of Poems, "The Grieving Mind", which to date remains and mirrors the work of Lord Alfred Tennyson in his legendary Poem, In Memoriam A.H.H. I mourn my good friend and name sake, Chief Charles Ngozi Onyegbule, by republishing his Poem, "Why We Keep Failing" , which I published in the Summer of 1996 Edition of the ISANA Rising Sun:

By: Ngozi Onyegbule We relapse and resort to cliques

We keep forming groups and failing

And so we fall and fell to integrate

For everyone wants to be king and seen Expecting others in broad ring

Many a man and woman

To abide in singing the unilateral song

Both the poor, rich, influential and modest

That's propelled and sang by the king

Have posed and strained themselves Amidst their chores and tight routines

Both the leader and the led

To foster unity and strength among the crowd

Have a private hidden agenda

And yet, we fall and fail to organize

Which at the outset is kept obscured As these plans are unveiled with time

Hate and conflict abound inside and out

All will fight reacting in parallel views

Both within persons, individuals and groups

And so we fall and fail to congregate

There is ego consciousness and lack of trust Arising from egalitarian tendency embedded in us

We engage in group proliferation

The lack of faith on who to trust the handle

Arising from failure to form broad solid front

Has made us to fall and fail and keep failing.

And as we detach and propagate our unit plans Striving and striking to hatch and mature Happy Posthumus Father's Day Nnam Oche.

Rest well in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ, as I pray that Ebere and your kids and grands and Kele and your surviving siblings will be strengthened to cope with your transition.

Okenegi Charlie

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Celebrant - Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu Entrance Hymn How Great Thou Art 1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder.

3. And when I think that God His Son not sparing.

Consider all the works thy hands have made.

Sent Him to die,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.

I scarce can take it in.

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

That on the cross,

Refrain:

my burden gladly bearing.

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee.

He bled and died

How great thou art, how great thou art.

to take away my sin (R)

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee.

How great thou art, how great thou art!

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation.

And take me home,

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wonder.

what joy shall fill my heart.

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

Then I shall bow

When I look down

in humble adoration.

from lofty mountain grandeur.

And there proclaim,

And hear the brook

my God how great thou art (R)

and feel the gentle breeze (R)

First Reading - Mrs. Nnedinma Iwu (Nee Onyegbule) A Reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-9) he souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,

because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

V:

The Word of the Lord

R:

Thanks be to God

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Responsorial Psalm Refrain: O ga-ezobe m n’ime mkpukpu ya

So otu ihe ka m na-ario n’aka dinwenu

(He will hide me in His tent)

(Only one thing do I ask of the Lord)

Kwubasie m ike ka nkwume

Ka m biri, ka m biri, n’ulo nke dinwenu

(And set me as firm as a rock)

(that I may dwell in the house of the Lord) Na mbosi ndu m nile

3. Aga m ewere obi anuri

(all the days of my life)

(With a joyful heart) Na-achu aja n’ulo dinwenu

1. Dinwenu bu ihe na nzoputa m

(I will offer sacrifices

(The Lord is my light and my salvation)

in the house of the Lord)

Onye ka m ga-atu egwu

Aga m ekwe ukwe anuri

(whom shall I fear)

(I will sing songs of joy)

Dinwenu bu ebe mgbaba m

Nye dinwenu (unto the Lord)

(The Lord is my stronghold) Onye ga-eyi m egwu

4. Otito diri nna na nwa

(of whom shall I be afraid)

(Glory be to the Father, and to the Son) Na muo nso

2. O ga-ezobe m ebe obibi ya

(and to the Holy Spirit)

(He will hide me in his dwelling place)

N’uwa tuwa nile

Na mbosi ogbaghara

(forever and ever)

(on the day of turmoil)

Second Reading - Multiple Chief Kelechi Onyegbule A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 4:13-18) e do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore, console one another with these words.

V: R:

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Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia (4X) I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die

Gospel - Rev. Fr. Philip Waters A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (12:35-40) esus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

The Gospel of the Lord (Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ)

Prayer Response O-O-O-O Nna anyi, Chukwu bi n’igwe, gee nti nuru olu anyi mere anyi ebere (O, our Father, God who dwells in heaven, listen and hear our voices.

Have mercy on us)

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Offertory Hymns Tobe dinwenu mkpur’obi nke m (The Magnificat)

9. O mere ebere maka ndi n’aturu ya egwu 1. Tobe dinwenu mkpur’obi nke m

(He has mercy on those who fear him)

(My soul, proclaim the greatness of the Lord) Refrain:

10. O gosigo ike aka ya (He has shown the strength of his arm)

O meere m ihe, O meere m ihe, O meere m

11. O chusasigo ndi ngala di n’obi

nnukw’ihe di mma

(He has scattered the proud of heart)

(He has done great things for me) 2. Muo m anurigo na chineke onye nzoputa m

12. O sigo n’ukpo buda ndi buru ebu (He has cast down the mighty

(My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior)

from their thrones)

3. Makana o lego anya n’umeala nke m

13. O buligo ndi di ume ala

(For he has looked upon my lowliness)

(He has lifted up the lowly)

4. Ndudugandu nile, site tata

14. Ndi aguu na-agu onye ha ezi ihe

(From this day all generations)

(Those who are hungry, he has filled with good things)

5. Ga na-akpo mu onye di Ngozi (Will call me blessed)

15. O mego ndi buru ebu ha agbara aka (He has sent the rich away empty)

6. Makana onye ji ike nile meere m nnukwu ihe (For the Almighty has done great things for me) 7. Maka ihi nke a, aha ya di aso (Therefore his name is holy) 8. Obi ebere ya si na ndudugandu nile (His mercy lasts for all generations)

16. O rotago Israel odibo ya (He has remembered Israel, His servant) 17. Dika otu O si wee gwa nna anyi ha (As He had promised our fathers) 18. Abraham na mkpuru ya ebebe

(Abraham and his children forever)

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Offertory Hymns Count Your Many Blessings

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain: Count your blessings; name them one by one; Count your blessings; see what God hath done; Count your blessings; name them one by one; Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings: ev'ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

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Liturgy of the Eucharist Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Elevation of Host and Chalice Lee ezigbo nwa aturu. Achicha nke ndi oma.

N’eligwe k’osi zida. K’anyi sekpuoro ya.

(Behold the Lamb of God; the bread of Angels, descended from heaven. Let us adore him) Obara Jesus emewo mu mma, O mewo mu mma, O mewo mu mma Obara Jesus emewo mu mma, O mewo mu mma, E-E O mewo mu mma (The blood of Jesus has done me well)

Memorial Acclamation: (Heritage Mass) We proclaim your death, oh Lord, And profess your resurrection Until you come, until you come again

Great Amen: (Heritage Mass) Our Lord’s Prayer: (Recite)

Lamb of God Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Grant us peace.

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Communion Hymns Dinweu m etoro 5. So gi bu ihe oriri nke mkpur’obi nke

1. Dinweu m etoro m k’ibata n’obi m

(You only are food for my heart)

(Lord, I am not worthy that you should come into my heart)

6. Bia bata n’ime obi m, Jesu Dinwenu m (Come into my heart, Jesus, my Lord)

Refrain

7. Ahuru m gi n’anya, n’obi m nile no

Etoro m k’ibata n’obi m

(I love you with my whole heart)

(I am not worthy that you should come into my heart)

8. Gi nke huru m n’anya tupu m wee di ndu (You who have loved me

2. Ma kwuraa so ofu okwu, obi m ga-adiri

even before I was born)

(but just say a word and my heart shall live)

9. Emere m ebere maka njo m mere

3. Eji m obi m nile kwere n’obu ngi

(I am sorry for my sins)

(With my whole hear I believe that this is you) 4. Chukwu ony’okike m n’onye nzoputa m

10. Chukwu kasi afo’ma gbaghara m ha ncha (God, most merciful, forgive them all)

(God, my creator and my savior)

I am the Bread of Life Unless you eat

I am the bread of life. You who come to me

of the flesh of the Son of man.

shall not hunger. And who believe in me shall

And drink of his blood,

not thirst. No one can come to me, unless the

and drink of his blood.

Father beckons

You shall not have life within you (R)

Refrain

I am the resurrection;

And I will raise you up.

I am the life.

And I will raise you up.

If you believe in me,

And I will raise you up on the last day

even though you die,

The bread that I will give

you shall live forever (R)

is my flesh for the life of the world

Yes, Lord, I believe

And if you eat of this bread,

that you are the Christ.

you shall live forever.

The Son of God

You shall live forever (R)

who has come, into the world (R)

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Meditation It is Well When peace like a river attendeth my way.

When sorrows like sea billows roll

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say.

My sin, not in part, but the whole

It is well, it is well with my soul

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more Praise the Lord,

Refrain

praise the Lord, oh my soul (R)

It is well (it is well).

And, Lord, haste the day

With my soul (with my soul)

when the faith shall be sight

It is well, it is well with my soul

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll

Though Satan should buffet,

The trump shall resound

though trials should come

and the Lord shall descend

Let this blest assurance control That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

Even so, it is well with my soul (R)

And has shed His own blood for my soul (R)

Meditation (Solo) - Marleyne Tronchin Recessional Hymn Because He Lives God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus He came to love, heal, and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Refrain Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future

How sweet to hold a new born baby And feel the pride, a joy he gives But greater still the calm assurance This child can face uncertain days

because He lives. (R) And then one day I'll cross the river I'll fight life's final war with pain And then as death gives way to vict'ry I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives. (R)

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

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APPRECIATION

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