Over 300 members and guests came together to mark the eighth anniversary celebration of the Nigerian African Catholic Community Edmonton.
The African Mass was held on Sunday, May 26 at St. Dominic Savio Parish in Edmonton, the host parish for the Nigerian African Catholic Community Edmonton, NACCE.
Fr. Philippe Insoni (NACCE Chaplain), Fr. Ayo Ayeni, Fr. Balonwu Okpe, Fr. Emmanuel Ekaneme and Deacon Umeohanna Emmanuel Chekwubechukwu celebrated the Mass. Five families and NACCE’s mothers came specifically for thanksgiving, while two families presented their newborn babies to the Church singing and dancing in praise and gratitude to God.
The differences between a typical Canadian Mass and an African Mass, in particular, are stark. An African Mass can get loud, lively and colourful. It can run a little long. Praise and worship songs are sung in English and many African languages, including Igbo, Esan, Yoruba, and Hausa.
“We sing and dance, as we want members to enjoy the Mass and at the same time build bonds and develop lasting relationships, so we don’t lose them to other churches,” said Lucky Eremionkhale, chairman of the Nigerian African Catholic Community Edmonton
After the African Mass, the faithful enjoy a potluck fellowship, with traditional food, including Nigerian jollof rice, pounded yam and egusi soup made of melon seeds. This social event helps to build a strong community spirit and a sense of togetherness. It also helps newcomers deal with the challenges of settling in Canada and helps members to network with each other.
The African Mass is held every last Sunday of the month, at 2 p.m. at St. Dominic Savio Parish. The Nigerian African Catholic Community Edmonton, which organizes the African Mass, was started by Fr. Gabriel Udeh who is currently serving in Enugu diocese in Nigeria. The vision of the group is to be ‘A Christ-Like Community’.
-Lucky Eremionkhale, chairman of the Nigerian African Catholic Community Edmonton