Serrans Urged to Ignite Flame of Service, Evangelism

By Chinyere Abiaziem

Christians particularly Serrans (lay faithful with the mission of fostering vocations) in the Roman Catholic Church have been urged to take seriously the call to holiness, love, faith, selfless giving, service and evangelism.

The call was made at the grandfinale of the 12th annual convention of Serra International District 130-B, held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos with the theme ‘Igniting The Flame of Vocations in The Catholic Church Through Faith, Service and Mission’.

In the convention keynote lecture, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Emeka Okeke,
noted that vocation in the context of the Roman Catholic Church is an invitation by God to the lay faithful in serving, showing true love, having faith in God, holiness and sacrificial giving.

The priest noted that in answering the call in a way that pleases God is to find divine fulfillment and eternal reward, saying that the “call is not in a vacuum”.

He said that there were challenges towards realising, living out or answering the call to ignite the flame; including worry about commitment, worry about being good enough, overcoming weaknesses, finding a balance in one’s calling, etc.

Also, he pointed out that God’s call comes to different people, at different times and in different ways.

In conclusion, he reiterated St. Teresa of Calcutta words, “Our vocation is a call to be faithful servants and not successful servants. God has called us to be a pencil in His hands. He does the writing. Our only singular task or duty is to respond effectively and efficiently by producing good ink and making a good mark.”

At the event which witnessed the Serra University of Christian Principles first convocation, the Vice Chancellor in the person of Past District Governor, Serran Smart Ebhodaghe
tasked the graduands and all Serrans to be worthy ambassadors of Christ whether in the secret or open.

To encourage and reward thirst for knowledge, hard work and continuous improvement, best students of the University and their clubs received cash prizes.

Meanwhile, Rev. Sisters and pupils of St. Philip Nursery and Primary School Shomolu, Lagos, were also present and recited prayer for vocations.

District Governor, Serran Oluwasegun Anjorin in his address, noted that a number of vocations programmes were introduced, including travelling Chalice/Crucifix, ’31 club’ to encourage continuous prayers for an increase in vocations.

He, also said ’28 club’ was launched to foster early participation among young children in praying for vocations, adding that the ‘Serra invitation coins program’, was introduced to select parishes particularly to engage potential women for religious life.

Earlier in his homily, Worthy Chaplain of Serra Club of Ikeja, Very Rev Fr. Melvis Mayaki, urged Serrans to evaluate the depth of their relationship with God, as they steer clear of grudgingly contributing their time, talent and treasure(three Ts) to the vocational works of Serra.