Fr. Ike at African Mass: ‘Only one Savior’
CLICK HERE to see a gallery of photos from this event.
Too many Christians take stock in worldly powers to save them from trials and tribulations.
Their faith is in vain.
“The only savior we have is HIM!” thundered Father Roberto Ike, gesturing toward the crucifix, his voice radiating across the vaulted arches of Sacred Heart Church in Columbia.
“There is no human being out there who you can form an allegiance with or make a pact with who’s going to protect you. Only HIM!” he told about 250 people from numerous nations during an African Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 17.
Fr. Ike, a priest of the Diocese of Okigwe, Nigeria, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia and dean of missionary priests in this diocese, presided at the Mass and preached the homily.
Joining him at the altar were:
- Father Simon Jude Kanyike, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kampala, Uganda, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Mary’s Home and Sacred Heart Parish in Eldon;
- Father Ignitius Nimwesiga, a priest of the Diocese of Mbarrara, Uganda, part-time associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and part-time chaplain at Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School, both in Columbia; and
- Father Paulinus Aneke, a priest of the Diocese of Enugu, Nigeria, and pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Camdenton.
Cyril Ohiemu directed a choir of parishioners from Sacred Heart, St. Thomas More Newman Center and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes in Columbia, accompanied by a pianist and African drummers.
The choir and people sang hymns and the parts of the Mass in several African languages and styles, as well as some in the mode of African-American Gospel hymns and the traditional “O Sacrament Most Holy.”
Many in the congregation, including an impressive number of children and babies, wore colorful clothing from their homelands.
The Mass intention was for the peace and prosperity of the Mid-Missouri African Catholic Community.
Rain threatened but held back as people approached the church for the Mass.
In him alone
Fr. Ike preached on the readings for that Sunday, which speak of the End Times.
He noted that many of the people’s homelands bear the scars of historical colonialism and slavery and ongoing turmoil.
“If you’re from Africa, I’m sure you’re thinking the End Times are already here,” he stated. “For some reason, we just can’t seem to get out of tribulation.”
Many people from Africa carry a heavy burden, both from history and the present.
“Sometimes, we meet people to whom it doesn’t seem to matter,” he said. “But you and I carry this weight on our shoulders every day ... sometimes in great joy!”
That joy is powerful.
“In the midst of all that tribulation, it’s you, it’s me and the grace of going out and still being able to survive it,” said Fr. Ike. “I think that’s why the joy of an African is the most authentic joy in the world.”
Jesus warned his first followers of the tribulations many of them would witness in their lifetimes.
A sizable contingent at that time thought they’d be safe if they aligned themselves with the secular authorities of their day — as many do today.
“They will wait forever,” said Fr. Ike, “because the words of Our Lord are true: ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’”
He pointed to the Third Secret that was revealed by Our Lady to the visionaries at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.
The children had a vision of fire raining down from the sky, and of many people, including priests, nuns and the pope, being killed.
This secret was revealed publicly many years after Pope St. John Paul II (+1978-2005) was shot by a would-be assassin and almost died in St. Peter’s Square, on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima in 1981.
The vision is understood to be a foreshadowing of the deadly wars and conflicts of the 20th century.
“What strikes me now is that we’re laying down the foundation for it all to happen again, because of the political divide in our world,” said Fr. Ike. “We are constantly divided.”
That’s why he finds the Lord’s words — “when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates” — so reassuring.
“We have the Savior!” he said. “Which is what makes it possible for you and me to be in this church today. There is no other way! The power of Jesus Christ, our Savior, to unite humanity.
“Despite colonialism, despite slavery, dear brothers and sisters, we stand here united in mind and body with so many Americans who are in this church,” he said. “That couldn’t happen, except for if Jesus died on the cross.”
Fr. Ike pointed to all the graces he and everyone else present have been able to receive through their struggles, by cooperating with the grace of Jesus’s death and resurrection.
“I’m trying to give you hope, that your coming here today, dear friends, is something we ought to be grateful for,” the priest stated. “Because the grace of Jesus has made it all possible.”
Pentecost moments
People from different countries read the Prayers of the Faithful, each in his or her native African language.
In the tradition of the Church in many of the homelands, people came forward to leave their offering in baskets before the altar.
The Eucharistic Prayer and Holy Communion were solemn. The recessional was a joyful response, with one child feeling drawn to the center aisle to dance.
After a group photo, the people moved to the Sacred Heart Activity Building for a bountiful pot-luck smorgasbord of African cuisine.
The leadership team for planning the Mass and reception included: Uzoamaka Mbionwu, Patricia Mayele, Pamela Mulumby, Juliet Okpasuo and Onyekachi Okpasuo.
“There’s plenty for everyone to eat and drink, so everyone’s welcome!” said Mr. Ohiemu.
