Franklin Speaking

THE TRUTH - PART 8

2015-12-13T22:25:00.002-08:00

That did not last long because I bumped into him again at our bank's end of the year party. He had grown a beard and was looking like a dark version of Brad Pitt. When I walked over to say hello to him, he had pretended like we were meeting for the first time and was very proper in his greeting. I was ashamed of myself so I hid at the bar and watched him from a distance. For some reason he was all over this dark skinny girl that worked with Cash & Teller. She was new in the bank and I didn't really know anything about her but for some weird reason I was jealous. I wanted to walk over and snap her neck for stealing my chance at getting back with Abraham. I spent the entire night watching them dance, laugh and talk; at 2am I had had enough so I took a cab and went home.

Fast Forward to the new year, I became very interested in this dark skinny girl and found out that her name was Ronke. She turned out to be a nice girl. I got close to her and we somehow became buddies. I found later that she actually started dating Abraham; I liked her as a person but something about her being with Abraham made me unhappy. Our friendship did not extend beyond the work environment until she resigned and moved on to another bank. That was when we gradually started bonding. She would call me on the phone and we would chat regularly on BBM after working hours.

THE TRUTH - PART 7

2015-12-13T22:21:00.002-08:00

Emeka was my boss at work and he was also very good looking. When I joined the bank I was warned not to give in to his advances as a few ladies had gossiped about him being a serial heart-breaker. Ironically he never made any advances towards me but kept our working - relationship very cordial. I was invited to his birthday party but he really didn't expect to see me there. I went there all alone and dressed to kill. That was where I met Abraham. He didn't like me calling him by his English name but I insisted that I preferred Abraham to Chibundu. He walked up to me at the balcony and introduced himself. He was very cute and well spoken although his dominant Igbo accent gave him up easily. Abraham worked with one of the telecommunications company and he had a few business investments. I was shocked when I realised he wasn't married - he spoke gently and seemed to be well behaved even though I noticed his eyes scanning through my dress at every opportunity they got.

I got carried away with his charm and joined him home after the party; a decision I regretted. In my head we got along very well and I strongly hoped for something out of it. We had exchanged numbers but talked a few times afterwards. With time our conversations reduced and only communicated via Whatsapp once in a while; with an occasional "hello" today and a "hi" tomorrow. Sometimes we would exchange what I called a "litany of pleasantries". How are you? How was your day? How was work today? How is Business? How is your family? Have you heard from your parents? Any plans for the weekend? When would I see you again? and so on.

One day I confided in Emeka and asked a few questions about his friend Abraham. Boys will always be boys! Emeka was quick to make up excuses for him claiming that Abraham was generally a busy person barely had time for women. Finally I had to tell myself the truth that he wasn't interested in me and I decided to move on.

HER SIDE - PART 6

2015-12-11T09:12:00.002-08:00

Three months into our relationship I got a new job; the pay was very attractive but the port-folio that came with it was very demanding. When I discussed it with Bum-Bum, he insisted I go for it. He was more interested in me getting the job than I was. I didn't understand his enthusiasm until now; it seemed I was becoming a pest in his life and he was trying to get rid of me.

My suspicions were right because shortly after I resumed work I started noticing some changes in Bum-Bum's behaviour and schedule. He would promise to call me back but would hardly keep that promise. Sometimes he would say he is on his way home and an hour after he would claim to still be on the road but everywhere in the background would be so quiet like he were indoors. I had my suspicions so I decided to upgrade my detective skills. Whenever we were together I would pick his phone and scroll through his chats both on BBM, Facebook and Whatsapp; the outcome was frightening. Bum-Bum was having several intimate discussions with multiple ladies....most of them easterners. He really did like them Igbo, chubby and yellow.

On one or two occasions I confronted him and he would deny everything and claimed they were just his friends. Shortly after confronting him he put a password on his phone to secure it. Again I confronted him and he removed the password but I noticed that he started clearing his chats....that for me was the height. I went to his house on Sundays when I knew he would be in church. I already had an arrangement with the gateman in the opposite building who had agreed to give me information whenever Bum-Bum brought home a strange girl. I was paying him N2,500 every week for his regular updates. An investment that was very useful.

Barely two weeks after I had employed the services of this gate-man, he has called me to inform me that Chibundu had a female guest sleep over at his place. It was a Saturday morning and I was already on my way to work and there was no way I could have changed my schedule so I kept quiet and decided to surprise him after I was done at work but it was too late. By the time I got to his place, he was home alone watching TV. I did not say a word to him, I just quietly walked to his room and immediately noticed that all my belongings were hidden away in his wardrobe.

My silence freaked him out as he followed me in asking if I was okay. I couldn't find the words to reply him, I just started to unpacking stuffs from my bag when my eyes caught hold of something. I could not believe my eyes..... THIS BITCH LEFT HER ARTIFICAL NAIL BEHIND FOR ME TO SEE. At this point I lost my cool. "Chibundu so you take me for a fool yeah" I yelled at the top of my voice. He just stood there speechless and obviously filled with guilt.

I had - had enough, this definitely was not the life I had planned for myself. I would not deal with a cheating partner, no I would not.

HER SIDE - PART 5

2015-12-11T07:06:00.002-08:00

I gradually spent weekends at his place and made sure I left some piece of clothing behind. We would go out on Friday nights and I got introduced to most of his friends including the very popular Emeka whom every one called "Hunter".

Emeka was a senior manager at my previous place of work and he obviously was their chairman because he spent all the money and caught all the girls. For some reason I felt Bum-Bum was trying so hard to follow after Emeka's footsteps and I didn't quite like that. Gradually I tried to limit the number of times they hung out. Whenever he had plans I would beg him to stay with me or suggest we go elsewhere. Those friends of his were bad influence. Even though we had a wonderful relationship, there was one thing I simply could not get off my chest. ......

You see, Bum-Bum is a very cultural guy unlike his other friends. He would insist we eat together, he would want me to greet him formally. "Good-morning", "Good-afternoon", "Good-evening"; he would always want to see what I'm wearing first in order to give his approval before I step out for an event or function. He spoke Igbo all the time and once joked that I should learn the language because he would not want a home where we spoke English to the children.

A little bird had whispered to me once that Bum-Bum only dated Igbo girls. Infact he liked them very light skinned and with big hips and ass; unfortunately I did not have those assets to boost of. I was dark, tall and slim. I had playfully asked him one night and he did not deny it. He even admitted to looking out for those assets first in a woman before approaching them. This made me very uncomfortable.

HER SIDE - PART 4

2015-12-11T04:45:00.006-08:00

"All Men Are Dogs"... that is what my roommate would always say to me but I never paid attention to her. She had been treated badly by some guys in the past and she constantly warned me to be careful with whoever I am involved with.

Somehow her words always replayed in my head; and here I was with the one guy I gave myself to and it seemed like he was about to serve me that same ridiculous dish from their long ridiculous menu of BS. "I will not take this non-sense, no man will use me to play football." Chibundu doesnt know who he is dealing with; I am a thorough Ogun-Girl. You can imagine this omo-nna still lying to my face that he is faithful to our relationship when I already know what his plans are.

I have never been one to fall hook, line and sinker for any guy. There was something so different about Bum-Bum (as I frequently called him). We met last year at an end of the year party organized by the bank I used to work with and we hit it off immediately. I knew he was a player because from the first day, he tried to convince me to accompany him home and I knew where he was heading to. We became friends shortly and started dating almost a months after we met.

Bum-Bum is a very sweet, loving and caring guy but he just had too many naughty tendencies so I carefully positioned myself around him, clipping his promiscuous wings and limiting all his player moves.

HIS SIDE - Part 3

2015-12-11T04:39:00.000-08:00

That night I collected her telephone numbers, email address, BBM pin and twitter handle all at once because I sincerely wanted to keep talking to her. After numerous dates, we bonded and that I couldn’t help but admit that I had fallen in love.

Everything seemed so cute and dandy until about a few months ago. Ronke got a better offer with another bank and I encouraged her to take it. The new job was a bit demanding and we barely had time for ourselves. She closed very late during the week and sometimes worked on weekends. The free day we had was Sundays but because of my role as a worker in church I was available only from 2pm after service. We tried to make up for the distance by exchanging telephone calls frequently combining that with our constant chats on BBM. But somehow - that wasn’t enough.

You see Ronke knew about my strong inclination to light skinned, chubby Igbo girls; a category she clearly did not fall under. This made her very uncomfortable for some reason and she started showing traits of her insecurity whenever I was around a female friend who would fit into that description but I had assured her on several occasions that it would not affect the way I felt for her. Ronke would call from time to time, asking for my where about and would want to know who was around me. She started checking my phone and made it a constant habit to read my BBM / Whatsapp chats at the slightest opportunity she got. At first I felt there was nothing wrong with it, considering how open we had been over the past months but I was very very wrong. Ronke graduated from having a complex to becoming completely paranoid. It all got worse and our relationship started to feel like torture. Yes I admit there had been a couple of incidents where she came across stuffs on my phone which seemed slightly inappropriate but to be sincere I was only messing around with some ex-girlfriends when I was bored. I tried locking my phone but she made a fuss over that so I resorted to deleting my chats after every conversation just to avoid trouble.

Ronke had a key to my crib so she would come to my house when she knew I would be in church. She would take the time to go through my things, look around my toilet /dresser for traces of hair and she would even search through my dust bin for proof of some kind. Today she found a broken artificial nail right under my bed. I couldn't explain that, I didn't even know for sure who it belonged to. How was I to explain to Ronke that it didn't mean that I was cheating on her. Here she was, cursing, screaming and making a fuss over nothing.

At this point I really think I've had enough and maybe it was time to let her go..... this drama is obviously too much for me to handle.

HIS SIDE - Part 2

2015-12-11T04:34:00.002-08:00

I have a childhood friend called "Emeka Orifite" who would regularly arrange invites to the end of the year party organized by his bank. This was an annual ritual for us since he resumed work with that bank. Emeka's nickname was “Hunter” and the end of the year party provided the opportunity for him to mingle with his subordinates at work and flirt with them without fear of being accused of sexual harassment. He was a good sport because he would invite a couple of us over to join in the hunt.

Every year we would select a different intern at the party and serenade her to the good life. After a couple of weeks we would inform them that we are involved in a serious relationship and would be getting married soon. This usually leads to the end of that relationship unless the girl is indifferent then she willingly accepts to play the role of a side chick.

It was at this particular end of the year party that I met Ronke Kehinde-Omolaja. Ronke was different from the rest. She was dark skinned, slim, averagely tall and wore a low cut. Ronke was both smart and funny as well as bold and very straight forward. She didn’t seem like the other girls who were more interested in taking pictures at parties. She was just simply different. We talked about different things and I could see that she was genuinely interested in our conversation. We danced a few times but spent most of the evening getting to know each other better.

When the party ended and everyone started leaving, I invited her to join me back to my place but she respectfully declined but promised me to pay me friendly visit. We became friends.

HIS SIDE - Part 1

2015-12-11T04:30:00.001-08:00

“I am not a cheat….. I love you dearly and I have never cheated on you”. These were my words to Ronke but for obvious reasons she did not believe me. Ronke had started packing her things around my house and was threatening to end our relationship. Here I stood wondering if I should stop her from leaving or just allow her leave. I did love her but recently she had started to really get on my nerves. Ronke just doesn't seem like the girl I fell in love with anymore, something has obviously changed. Something is very different about her.

My name is Chibundu Abraham Nwanze, I am what you might call "Dat Igbo Boy" to the core. I’ve got mad love for my Igbo culture and some of my friends think I'm abit too traditional for my generation. This strong affiliation for my Igbo culture has always guided my preference in choosing a female companion; I would always opt for an igbo girl over a Yoruba or even a Delta Girl. Asides being tribalistic, I am also very picky when it comes to the physique and complexion of the kind ladies I date. I like them fair and thick. So in order words, if she is yellow, chubby and bears na Igbo name - then I'm in love.

All that would change within a winkle of an eye.

My Number One Cheerleader

2015-11-06T04:53:00.004-08:00

I may not be able to find the perfect words to describe you. Even if I try, I would not do justice to it.

In the simplest of ways you have re-defined my understanding of the word "Friendship". You would always make sacrifices for me even without me asking. Your smile melts my heart, your concern and support motivates me to always do better. Your words of prayer & encouragement are endless and I have always counted myself lucky since that very first 'hello'.

Its U & I till the day after forever. God bless you for me. Dedicated to my khalesi, my number one cheerleader and my best friend, Mercy Theresa Nmose

The Sovereign State Of Biafra

2015-11-02T03:27:00.003-08:00

I would be sincere with myself. I am a Proud Igbo boy from Imo State but I would identify first as a Nigerian. If you ask me to choose a nation.... I would choose Nigeria.

I was born in the early 80's which basically means I did not witness the Biafran War. I have only learnt about the war and the incidents that lead to the war from reading the pages of documented history. Who was right or wrong is inconsequential to me. What they fought for and what they believed in does not matter to me. What matters most to me is the fact that lives were lost, families were displaced, people lost their properties which they worked hard to get and those things were never recovered.

My question is.... Are We Ready For This Again?

In a conversation I had with a friend over this issue, he and I quote: "Franklin don't worry about Nnamdi Kanu, he will eventually get tired and keep quiet." I do not think so!

Have you seen the posts these guys are putting up on social media? Have you seen the comments that follow them and the support they are getting? Have you seen how many young 'ignorant' people have bought into their ideas? If all hell breaks loose and something goes wrong, it would not be Nnamdi Kanu at the forefront....it will be these innocent young men and women who have bought into this concept of freedom fighting. Those who would be affected the most are people who have no business whatsoever with this Biafra Concept.

I listened to his speeches, I've watched his interviews and I have come to the conclusion that Nnamdi Kanu does not mean well for Nigeria and neither does he mean well for the Igbo race. He is inciting hate and clamouring for war and for me that is definitely not a way to fight for freedom.

My biggest worry is that no one is coming out to condemn him but rather we have left it all to the Nigerian Government. The Media, Intellectual Nigerians, Igbo Leaders, even enlightened people like you and I are quiet about it all. This is how it began with the Emancipation of the Niger Delta until it became a national problem. This is the same way it began with Boko Haram, we saw it - we were quiet until it got out of hand and today thousand keep dying from bomb blast and terror attacks.

I hope and pray this does not even up the wrong way.

God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABA OKONJI

2015-09-02T08:14:00.002-07:00

A couple of years ago at the wedding reception of a friend I noticed the strong presence of one person who moved around a lot making sure everyone was comfortable and had everything they wanted. I had initially assumed he was being paid to cater for that wedding until I met him again at another function doing exactly the same thing. When I asked around, I was told that he wasn't paid to cater at that function but he had actually provided the drinks himself as a contribution and had gone the extra mile in serving and attending to their guests. It was not his event, it was not his relative's event but simply that of a friend.

I had since gotten close to him and I have watched how he treats people equally and in most cases with a high level of respect. He will invite you to spend time with him and would give up his seat for you if there isn't any available.

He would go out of his way to be present at your birthdays, weddings, thanksgivings, or even the wake-keeping or funeral of your loved ones. This gentleman would always be there to show his support in whatever way he can and that for me is an exemplary definition of true friendship.

As he celebrates his birthday today I want to celebrate this great individual who has been more of a big brother than a friend to me. Baba may your good works continue to open more doors for you. May God's infinite blessings and favours continue to abide with you and your family. And as you celebrate today, may the sound of joy never seize in your home. I wish you perfect health, a sound mind, wisdom, knowledge, love, peace, joy, long life and prosperity - all the days of your life through Jesus Christ Our Lord. AMEN

Happy Birthday Baba Patrick Afamefuna Okonji.......

Late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh - A Heroine Of Our Time

2015-08-21T03:26:00.000-07:00

This morning i asked a girl in her teens if she knew Caitlyn Jenner.... "Yes"; she said; "the stepfather to the Kardashians girls who became a woman". Then I asked her if she knew Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh..... unfortunately she had no idea who i was referring to.

Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh was the courageous doctor who identified and contained the index case of Ebola in Nigeria. Her heroic efforts prevented an outbreak in the most populous African country.

Everyone should know and remember a real hero and I am very sure a hero is not a man who starts wearing makeup and high heels. In my opinion the word HERO was truly defined in the act carried out by Late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh. Today we remember her act of bravery. Rest In Peace Madam.

Silence Could Mean War....

2015-08-05T07:36:00.001-07:00

A man returned home from a trip and caught his wife in bed with the neighbour. His intentions were to surprise her but in turn he was the one with the surprise. His reaction was the scary part, he simply dropped his bags and picked up his car keys and left the house without saying a word.

Two hours later he got back home and ate the food which she prepared for him. Slept on the same bed and never said a word about what had happened. On several occasions she would kneel, beg, cry and ask for his forgiveness but he would gently say to her that everything was okay and he had forgiven her. His routine didn't change, his attitude towards her didn't change, his affection for her didn't change.

Two years later she killed her self.....

Moral of the story: We generally mistake Silence for Peace. Silence could some times mean WAR.

Enjoy Your Coffee!

2015-08-04T01:01:00.003-07:00

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

Speak kindly, Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply and Leave the rest to God.

BRUISED , BENT BUT NOT BROKEN

2015-07-23T01:50:00.001-07:00

Look within and ask yourself the right questions. You may lie to the world but you should never lie to yourself. Nobody will protect you from your suffering. You can't cry it away or eat it away or starve it away or walk it away or punch it away or even therapy it away. It's just there and you have to survive through it. You have to endure it. You have to live through it and move on and be better for it. You have to run as far as you can in the direction of your best and happiest dreams across the bridge that was built by your own desire to heal.

Have you thought about it that your bones are made from the same dust as the planets, your lungs breathing the air as the migrating butterflies and your blood is pumping because of love and care of thousands. You are not broken or alone as you think you are. You are full of the world.

For what it's worth, it's never too late to be whoever you want to be. There is no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing called life. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it, I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you are proud of and if you are not. I hope you have the courage to start all over again and again.

#RandomYarns

IT'S SIMPLY OFFENSIVE

2015-07-02T06:50:00.004-07:00

I will start off by highlighting some points.

Point 1 - This is a RANT

Point 2 - It is my personal opinion (which I am entitled to)

Point 3 - You may not agree with me but hey.......(WC)

I think it is simply offensive the way some people just approach you and ask some very silly questions. I mean... God gave you a brain, it would only be proper for you to make use of it every now and then. Do not just walk up to someone and ask a question because you want to hear what they have to say. Can't you at least mind your own freaking business. Everyone have their own issues, don't go poking your fat nose into someone's private life when it does not concern you.

I think its offensive to ask the following questions : "Why are you not married?"; "Are you pregnant yet?"; "Are you still a virgin"; "How much is your Salary?" and so on. If you are not close family or friends, you simply shouldn't ask such questions. Amebo people these days cannot even respect the next man's privacy. Please learn this very simple courtesy.......

If someone isn't married, it is because the person is not married. What reply are you hoping to get? Do you expect them to say that no one has proposed to them? Or that they are waiting for Dangote's son to locate them. What nonsense! It is not your prerogative to question anybody's situation. I don't care if you are young, middle aged or elderly; it is just wrong. Do not hide under the pretence that you are asking because you care. If you care you would pray for the person and wish them well rather than question them at every opportunity you get.

If they have been married for 4 years without bearing forth any children, you have no right under heaven or on earth to ask them what the problem is. It is none of your business. What else do you think they have been doing for the past 4 years? Do you think they spend their nights picking beans or washing moi-moi leaves?

If people have any difficulty in their lives and they feel the need to share it with you, it would be fair for you to listen and encourage them. If that is not the case and it does seem like someone is experiencing a major a set-back in one particular area of their life, that does not mean they cannot find happiness in other things. Stop making people feel miserable with your silly questions.

Just stop it!

TIME

2015-07-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

My Dad (God Rest His Soul) would say, "Time Waits For No Man". One very important skill everyone needs to learn effectively is how to spend their time. Everyone has the same twenty four hours in a day and that phenomenon will never change. It is completely up to you to dedicate your time to the things that are truly important to you. Pay God with your time so that He can be your guide and counsel. Pay yourself with your time so that you can channel your dreams and ambitions. Pay your loved ones with your time because they will be the only ones to acknowledge your time here on earth. Pay your school, your work or your business with your time so that you can move towards your set goals in life. There is always time for the things that are important, you alone can create the time. It can be found in waking up a little earlier, watching less TV or sacrificing some other things you enjoy in the short-run to achieve your dreams in the long-run. Master your time to achieve your dreams. ‪#‎TuesdayInspiration‬

CHILD SAFETY

2015-07-02T06:40:00.004-07:00

This morning while driving to work i could not help but notice a toyota corolla in front of me with a kid in the back. The problem was, this kid was not actually sitting but was standing holding the seats in front. (i dont know if my description paints the right picture) This kid was probably 4 or 5 years at most and the car going at approximately 80-90kmh on third mainland bridge. I thought to myself, some parents can be careless to allow a child stand in a car at such speed. The whole scenario immediately triggered a reaction from me. I drove faster to catch up with him, only to notice this gentle man driving and chewing on biscuits. In his left hand he held the biscuits and the steering wheel while using the right to pick the biscuits in order to put in his mouth one after the other. At this point i lost my cool. I felt like stopping him by the side and slapping that biscuits out of his mouth. First i started honking like a mad person to get his attention and when he finally turned to look at me, i screamed at him; "ASK THAT CHILD TO SIT DOWN".

I'm no parent but I know for sure that the safety of your child is the number one priority of every parent. Regardless of how cool it may seem, i think it is wrong for kids to stand in a moving vehicle. Every Lagos driver knows that when you are driving on the road you have to think for yourself and next road user. Don't get me started on how careless some commercial drivers are. No one ever plans or expects an accident to occur, they just happen.

So Remember; Safety First..... Safety Always.

Happy New Month Guys. God Bless Our Hustle This July.

"These Are The Times" by George Carlin

2015-06-19T05:22:00.005-07:00

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. ‎
‎
Say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. An embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to other people....Who cares? ..... but remember, it is more rewarding to SHARE.

George Carlin

MY CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2015

2015-06-02T06:01:00.005-07:00

"Catechist Franklin" they call me. Sometime I just laugh at the title. For some of us, we walk around with an inflated sense of what it means to be a teacher of Faith and fail to stand in as a role model for these young ones. On the other side, people quickly assume that being a catechist is about being someone who has already arrived at spiritual perfection. Most times when I look in the mirror; I see a person with glaring shortcomings and weaknesses—limited knowledge, maybe a bad temper, slightly impatient with others, a lack of trust in the love of God....... basically, a complete mess. In fact, I sometimes think I'm so weak and so ill-equipped that I look as bad as . . . the Apostles!

Jesus didn’t build his ministry around those with encyclopedic knowledge of Judaism or all sorts of public acclaim as leaders of the community; in fact, those were the very people who gave him fits! Why do I assume it’s different now? Rather than seeing myself as a role model for my candidates, I think of myself as my candidate’s companion on their journey of faith. I may have a little more experience than they do—that’s why I'm aware of my shortcomings—but I still share the same human and spiritual hungers, the same search for meaning, the same struggles with the human condition, the same hope for relief from all the hurts and hurdles of life. And, of course, the same deep hope that in Jesus we can find our salvation from all the things that keep us from fullness of life.

One special thing I've learnt from this class is that they needed me to be myself around them all the time; I cared deeply and I taught strictly in order for them to embrace the teachings of God and the Church with all seriously. I pray they all remain steadfast in their faith and that they individually encounter and experience the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in its fullness.

Please keep them in your prayers as they embark on the continuation of their Christian journey.

Franklin's Facebook Precepts

2015-05-08T05:58:00.002-07:00

So we are clear.....this is facebook (the internet) and not the real world.

If you send me a friend request and I accept; that does not automatically make us friends. It simply means we have established a communication line (only on the internet) and nothing more.

You are free to send me messages in order to engage me in a conversation which I am at liberty to respond to or simply ignore.

Do not ask me personal questions or demand that I share with you my telephone number or bbm pin. I don’t know you from Adam.

What ever you choose to post on your facebook wall is your business but please do not tag me in any vain picture or a ridiculous post which you assume I may enjoy.

Your sexual orientation is your business. If I did not ask you ….please do not tell me.

Keep pictures of your private parts to yourself. Sending such pictures to my inbox as an avenue to get my attention will only definitely result in me blocking/unfriending you.

Twitter is for texting frequently while instagram is for posting pictures frequently. I know facebook permits both functions at the same time but please don’t abuse it.

If I post something on my wall and your comment offends me one way or the other, I would either reply you or simply delete your comment. Please do not be offended that I am offended by your comment.

That being said…… How You Doin' ?

Common Sense

2015-04-22T06:21:00.001-07:00

Wikipedia describes common sense as a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things, which is shared by nearly all people, and can be reasonably expected of nearly all people without any need for debate. I just think Common sense is the application of education, information, past experience, past mistakes and sometimes plan old native wisdom. Growing up as kids we were trained to use common sense and think our way through any difficulty or problem we may encounter. Failure to find a solution to that problem would immediately be interpreted as a lack of common sense.

For some reason our society no longer pays attention to the application of common sense. Everyone wants to be told everything, no one wants to think for themselves. There is a proverb that says it is a million times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.

You are sent as the office messenger to buy white rice and you came back empty handed because there was no white rice but yet there was an option of Jollof rice. You leave your house to pay a friend a surprise visit in their home without first confirming their availability. You raised your voice and talked back at your boss simply because they have offended you with their words and you have no plans of getting a new job. You think because you are getting old you agree to marry the man who constantly slaps you anything he is upset with something you did or said. Your church leader invites only you to prayer sessions outside the church (usually a hotel) and you consider going for it. You get into an argument with someone three times your size and he threatens to slap you and you still dare him that he can’t.

In making decisions we should apply common sense. In trying to solve problems we should apply common sense. In relating with friends and associates we should apply common sense. In responding to our feelings and emotions we should apply common sense. Some times we should apply common sense even when applying common sense.

HOW THE APOSTLES DIED

2015-04-13T01:40:00.004-07:00

1. Matthew
Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, Killed by a sword wound.

2. Mark
Died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being dragged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.

3. Luke
Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous Preaching to the lost.

4. John
Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered From death.

John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully

5. Peter
He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross.
According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

6. James
The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.
* This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.

7. James the Son of Zebedee,
was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer Walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

8. Bartholomew
Also known as Nathaniel Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

9. Andrew
Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: 'I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.' He continued to preach to his tormentors For two days until he expired.

10. Thomas
Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Sub-continent.

11. Jude
Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

12. Matthias
The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.

13. Paul
Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times For the sake of the Faith. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: But he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Game Of Thrones (Seat Of The Nigerian President)

2015-04-01T01:27:00.003-07:00

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that Nigeria will one day regain her place as the Giant of Africa… who still questions the power in the voice of the Nigerian People….. Today You Have Your Answer.

It's the answer told by the millions who woke up and went out to cast their votes on Saturday 28th March 2015. It's the answer told by the millions of hardworking Nigerians who stood in long queues and waited for hours believing that their votes will be counted and they will make a difference. It's the answer told by the millions who stood under the rain and in the hot scorching sun with a dream that at this defining moment in our History… Change must come to Nigeria.

We all witnessed the scenes of young and old coming out to express themselves; from the young men and women who participated at various campaign rallies screaming CHANGE; to the supporters on Twitter and Facebook who would not relent in their campaign to convince any undecided Nigeria to support and share in that dream of a better Nigeria. As Nigerians we were tired of the way things were, we were tired of this “the more you look, the less you see” government.

We crave for a better environment, we want a secure and peaceful nation, we want a government that will be accountable to its people, we want good roads, we want hospitals that are equipped, we want schools that are functioning, and we want a country that we would be proud of. We want it, we demand it and now we will have it.

To Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

You lost this election for several reasons:

1. You failed to deliver to the Nigerian people the promises of a better Nigeria.

2. You used the Army as your tool to dispel the people of Nigeria when they gathered to express their grievances. ( Occupy Nigeria )

3. Your administration was characterised by very corrupt individuals who only brought shame to your tenure as president.

4. You allowed the era of boko haram spoil your reign as President instead of tackling it head on.

5. When Nigerians died you did practically nothing.

6. You surrounded yourself with incompetent people who swayed you into making wrong decisions.

7. You failed to put your wife in check.

8. You failed to put Doyin Okupe, Fayose, Obanikoro & Femi Fani Kayode in check.

9. You went on a spending spree by using tax payer’s money to bribe your way to a re-election bid.

10. You tarnished your campaign by destroying the character of the opposition rather than building yours.

11. The Nigerian economy crumbled during your tenure as president.

12. Nigerians died while struggling to get government jobs and no one was held responsible for it.

13. You brought disunity in the PDP and gave room for formidable members to work against your re-election.

Now you have lost, I hope you have learnt that valuable lesson; “The people of Nigeria made you President, The people of Nigeria removed you as President”. A point you failed to remember.

To Gen. Mohammadu Buhari

Make no mistakes, you have now won the seat of the President, you are now the government and we have become the opposition. We will hold you by the promises you have made and judge you by the proceeds of your administration. If you fail to fulfill those promises; we will beat the drums hard & blow the trumpets even louder than before. We will gather once again as a people and call for your removal. We now understand that we the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not acceptance anything short of good governance. Indeed Nigerians Have Decided.

Congratulations

Mohammadu of House Buhari, First of his name, Lord of the Opposition & General of APC, King in the North, Warden of the South West and President-Elect of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AT THE HOLY MASS by Bro. PETER AWOLU

2015-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Active – means - lively, energetic, vigorous, and full of life. The opposite of active is inactive, dormant, dead, motionless etc.

Participation means involvement, partaking, contribution and taking part.

Holy Mass is the sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ

We must recognize that what happens at Mass is the greatest of all miracles and hence we should show proper appreciation of it and the only way we can show proper appreciation is by taking part actively during Mass.

The Holy Mass

What is the Holy Mass, Holy Eucharist, Last Supper, Holy Communion, Breaking of Bread etc

The Holy Mass is the sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, really present on the altar under the appearances of bread and wine, and offered to God for the living and the dead.

· Is a commemoration/fulfillment of Christ promise during the last supper (Luke 22 vs. 19-20)

The Holy Mass is a memorial sacrifice in obedience to the commandment of Christ.

It is also a sacrifice of thanksgiving in which we thank God for counting us worthy to eat the body and drink the blood of Christ.

It is an act of worship where we worship, adore and praise God. We accept Him as our Lord and Saviour.

The Mass is the center of all Christian life. Everything we do as Christians is to make us worthy for the Mass. What makes you a good Christian is your ability to receive the body and blood of Christ.

It is the symbol of unity of the church.

The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross. ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas

Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God’s Goodness and asked Our Lord “How can I thank you?” Our Lord replied, “ATTEND ONE MASS.”

“My Son so loves those who assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that, if it were necessary He would die for them as many times as they’ve heard Masses.” ~ Our Lady to Blessed Alan.

"A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death." ~ St. Anselm (Doctor of the Church)

Matthew 26, 26 -30, Mark 14, 22 – 26, Luke 22 14 – 20, 1 Cor 11 23 – 25, John 6, 53 -58

It was at the breaking of bread when the 2 disciples recognized Him Luke 24 30 - 31

Before attending Mass one is expected to do the following for effective participation and to gain all the desire graces.

For you to be active during the mass, the following must be observed before attending mass.

Be in the state of grace (i.e. examination of conscience (if one need confession, one should do that)
Go through the reading for the day and reflect on the readings
Have your personal intentions for attending Mass, the church never celebrates Mass without an intentions, the laity are encourage to have their intentions before attending Mass and to come with the hymn book in order to sing and pray and one is expected to get there before the priest and make a prayer to God to help us to free ourselves from the spirit of world in order to live the sacred moment worthily.
Full participation is a MUST if not you will just be a watcher and may go home the same way you come. Why? Because the mass is for you and God, it is a public worship but you must meet God as an individual, so it is not their thing it is your thing.

We must attend mass with hymn, simple prayer books, lectionary/bulletin, Abide in my words, etc why? For active participation

I am here to share some of my experience at the Holy Mass so that you can take active participation when next you are attending – so I believe this is the reason for this talk

You are expected to get to the church few minutes before the mass begin as a sign of preparation, you are expected to be seated before VIP comes in, the VIP here is Jesus Christ

1. Holy Water at the entrance – to remind us of our Baptism that we are new person in Christ

2. Sign of the Cross – Invoking Father, Son and Holy Spirit to be with you, it is a sign of victory, and we always begin all our prayers in the Catholic Church with the sign of the cross.

3. Genuflect before entering the church – it is sign of respect because Jesus is present at the Alter (Tabernacle)

4. We bowed to the Alter (represent Jesus Christ) and genuflect when passing the Tabernacle (the body of Jesus Christ) If one cannot genuflect because of sickness or old age, one is allowed to take a deep bow (i.e. from the waist)

5. Go to your seat and do your private prayer asking God to help you to see His power in this mass etc and also commit your intentions to God.

6. Entrance hymns – it is compulsory to buy the hymn book if you want to benefit from Mass because all the hymns usually matched the prayers, readings and intentions of the church. So you expected to sing with the choristers.

7. We usually stand up when the priest is coming in, this is to welcome Jesus Christ in the person of the priest, the priest represent Jesus

8. The Lector raises the Lectionary up during the procession – it is for the faithful to revere the Gospel that is going to be ready – it is symbolic the new Golden Calves that Moses in the old testament raise up that those bit by snakes will look at it and be saved and now the faithful wounding by sins can be healed also through Jesus the good news.

9. Kissing the Alter by the Priest, it is a sign of reverence for Christ whose Alter it is, the Alter represent Jesus Christ

10. The priest begins with the sign of the Cross or may greet before sign of the Cross – he then introduces the Mass for the day and then invite us to confess our short comings.

11. This penitent service is for us to confess our venial sins which are forgiven and one can receive Holy Communion – not mortal sins

12. We beat our breast/chest 3 times when saying through my faults – this is a sign of owing up to what you have done, sign of repentance and humility not like the parable of the publican I am not like the other man and not putting your sins on someone else.

13. After saying “Lord have mercy”, the priest conclude by saying “May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life”.

14. Gloria – praising God for who He is – we are expected to sing, dance and participate – not just the chorister – even though it Latin or Igbo

15. Opening prayers – it is called “Collects”. Why? because it is expected to collect all the faithful intentions for the Mass and present it to God. Priests are expected to pause for some seconds – for our intentions, some priest like Fr Collins sometimes, present your intentions now, however if priest did not pause, present your intentions with the priest.

16. Then the first reading by the Lector which ends with “The Word of the Lord” we reply “Thanks be to God”

17. Responsorial Psalms – reading from the Psalms

18. Second Readings if on Sundays or special days

19. Alleluia Alleluia - Gospel acclamation – usually a phase from the gospel reading of the day or psalms or other books

20. While the Alleluia is being sung, if there a deacon or non-presiding priest or younger priest, as he prepares he bowed to the presiding priest or Bishop for blessing, the Bishop will bless him praying

May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well, in the name of the father ….. the deacon reply Amen

21. However, the priest when bowing down before gospel prayed – “Cleanse my heart and my lips, Almighty God that I may worthily proclaim your Holy Gospel, amen” – this is said silently.

22. When the priest or deacon gets to the lectern, he said the first – The Lord be with you and me reply and with your Spirit

23. We usually stand for the gospel because Jesus is talking to us directly – Good news is Jesus

24. A reading from the ………. And then we are expected to use our right thumb to traces a Cross on our forehead, lips and heart, saying Glory be to God – meaning, Trinity to anoint my brain for a retentive memory, anoint my mouth to be able to proclaim your words and anoint my heart to treasure your words in my heart and to be able to become doer of God’s words – we warned to guild our hearts with all diligent because out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4: 23)

25. After reading the Gospel – the priest says “The Gospel of the Lord” and we all reply “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ”, because Jesus talked to us .

26. He kisses the Lectionary again as a sign of reverence and he also prayed silently – Through the word of the gospel may our sins be wiped away, amen – some says it loud.

27. The Homily – explanation by the priest, this is not the time for whispering, talking, reading newspaper, bulletin, pinging etc, you are to pay attention to what the priest is saying even if it is not making sense to you ask, the Holy Spirit to enlighten your heart.

28. Creed - I believe in God … (we profess our faith during the creed, hence this is personal commitment between you and God about what you believe, It is very important you open your mouth to profess your faith). The creed contains the articles of our faith.

29. Prayer of the faithful: this is general intercessory prayers that are offered for the congregation and those with special needs and also our personal intentions should be offered to God by you this time

30. The Offertory – we are expected to dip our hands and present ourselves to God even if we don’t have money, prepare what you want to offer before Mass and keep the money somewhere you can easily pick, as you offer it offer your intentions very important, in some places they will ask you to do small prayers, every third Sunday, we move through the aisle this is how it should be, as you move through the aisle offer yourself, your intentions and your offering.

31. The presentation of the gifts, bread, wine, water and the offering – All our Guardians Angel usually take our offerings, intentions to the Alter, from revelation some angels are not happy while some are happy, reason some are force to attend mass, some have no intentions and nothing for the angels to offer.

The Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist

32. The priest picks up the bread and prays, - Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life - Blessed be God for ever

33. The priest pours the wine and a little bit of water into the chalice and prays: By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity. The priest then hold the cup and prays again: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you, fruit of the vine and work of human hands it will become our spiritual drink – Blessed be God for ever.

34. The priest then bows profoundly and says quietly: With humble Spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God

35. The priest now symbolically washes his hands with water and says quietly: - Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin – this is sign of purification for the priest before the Consecration

36. We kneel during prayer of consecration for the following reasons

a) Humble submission before the majesty of God

b) Penance and a spirit of repentance

c) Adoration and reverence in prayer

So please kneel when it time for kneeling it is significant

There are 4 different types of Eucharistic prayers, but the Priest can say a different prayer for special occasions. The initial part of these Eucharistic prayers is the Preface (Almighty Father, all powerful and ever living God…)

37. Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord…) (adoration to God to show that we are here to adore Him),

38. Consecration – the High part of the mass because Jesus appears during each consecration, when Jesus appears He gazes at each one with the fullness of love as if he/she was the only person there and when the Chalice is raised, Calvary is completely re-enacted and Mary said – This is the miracle of miracles .

39. Narration of the institution of the Holy Mass (before He was given up to death, a death He freely accepted, He took bread…) Consecration is the most important part of the Mass, Jesus comes to change the bread and wine into His body and blood – transubstantiation – the substance remain but it becomes the body and blood of Jesus Christ

40. Proclamation of the mystery of faith i.e the Anamnesis – Assuring ourselves that we solely believe in His word and mystery

They are four and it recommended that any of the 4 can be used and nothing else why because it is the mystery of our faith:

All the 4 responses are in the simple prayer books.

41. The memorial prayer or offering (in memory of His death and resurrection Father, we offer you this life giving bread and this saving cup…)

42. Intercession (Lord remember your church throughout the world, make us grow in love together with the Pope Francis, our Archbishop Adewale Martins, and all the clergy…)

43. Final doxology (through him, with him, in him, oh God Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours forever and ever, Amen).

Communion Rites

B. The second part of the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is the communion rites.

- Our Father (The Lord’s prayer, Pater Noster) we asked to forgive our sins as we forgive others, so we are expected to forgive even those we have vowed never to forgive here. Jesus says pray with deepest profundity and bring to mind the person or persons who have done you the greatest harm during your life and embrace them very closely to your bosom and tell them with all your hear: In the name of Jesus, I forgive you and wish you peace.

- Rite of peace – (Optional) - we symbolically proclaim that we have nothing against our neighbour (Cf. Matthew 5:23,24).

Lamb of God who ……. The moment they start the Lamb of God you are expected to stop shaking hands, and during the singing the priests breaks a little bread off the one he is to eat and adds it to the general bowl for the congregation, he prays quietly, May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it,

- Private preparation by the Priest

The priest genuflects, holds up the broken pieces of Christ’s Body and says:

Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes ways the sins of the World, Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. We are to look up and adore Jesus at this moment it means look up, This is the solutions to your past problems, solutions to your present problems and solutions to your future problems, alleluia

We all reply: Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

- Silent prayers

- Communion song

- Prayer after communion – once you receive Holy Communion, you are expected to be grateful to God, it is a privilege that Jesus allow you to receive Him. Jesus said are you one of those that don’t know whom they are receiving –

Jesus said “As you go to receive me, open yourself to that love of mine and it will inundate you and refresh you. Remember that not even one mother has fed her child with her own flesh. I have gone to that extreme love to communicate my merits to you.

The Holy Communion you are receiving without knowing it is:

1. God himself, the savior of the world, the creator, the one who is and who is to come,

2. The Alpha and the Omega

3. The beginning and the end

4. The one that the man that was at pool of water waited for 38 years and when Jesus appeared situation changed

5. The same Jesus that healed the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years

6. The same Jesus that calm the sea and the wind

7. The same Jesus that walked on the sea against the natural law

8. The same Jesus that give sight to the blind

9. The same Jesus that taught Peter where to cast the net so as to catch enough fishes even though it was not the time to catch fishes

10. The same Jesus that whatever He says is final is the same Jesus you have been receiving without knowing it, hmmmm may the good Lord forgive us.

i. Someone receive Holy Communion and the blood cancer disappears

ii. Someone in this same church received Jesus in Holy Communion and the TB disappears.

iii. I know of a woman that was spending N50,000 on drugs every month to be alive, she receive Jesus in Holy Communion and she was healed

iv. A woman was to go through caesarian operation she said pls call father for me I want to receive the Jesus in the Holy Communion and after receiving, the baby leg that was coming out first somersaulted and come with head and the caesarian was cancelled.

v. Some saints were living on only Holy Communion

vi. It is our food for external life, we must make use of the privilege and receive Jesus in Holy Communion worthily.

The big question, you be asking yourself now is how come I have be attending mass and nothing is happening in my life

The major reason is that

You have never really participated in the celebration of Holy Mass, you are there physical but not in spirit.

Solutions

No one can encounter God and remains the same. The problem is not God; the problem is you so change is what you need.

11. THE CONCLUDING RITES

- Announcements

- Final blessings

- Dismissal

After final prayer you are also expected to wait for the priest (Jesus) to go the sacristy first before leaving the church, we are also adviced to do the prayer after mass – simple prayer book if you leave before the final blessing.

Other things you need to know about Mass

1. Latin Mass - Latin is the official language of the Church and the Missal was translated in Latin and it is mandatory for all the priest to know to how to use it in Mass, in Lagos archdiocese, first Sunday every month is latin mass

2. We are expected to fast from eating and drinking except water and medicine one hour before Holy Communion – it is part of the physical preparation to receive the King of Kings.

3. Sometimes priest are allowed to say certain prayers inaudible, some prayers are meant for the priest to say alone e.g prayer of purification before consecration, before receiving Holy Communion

4. Don’t receive Holy Communion unworthily

5. Don’t receive Holy Communion out of habit

6. Don’t receive Holy communion because you must receive but receive Holy Communion because of the love of Jesus Christ and for you to appreciate His love for you, it is a privilege not a right

7. Every aspect of the Mass is important so no room for discussion, reading of bulletin etc

8. Don’t come late and don’t leave before the Priest. Mary said The closing blessing is very important because it is a blessing in the name of the Trinity from consecrated hands. The sign of the cross made with the blessing should be made as if it the last of one’s life

9. Don’t attend 2 Masses and said you are late in one and you balanced it with the other, it is an error of the highest order. It must and should never be done

10. Jesus said. Do not leave in a hurry after Mass. Stay a moment in my company and enjoy it, if you leave the church before final blessing you are walk out on Jesus, can you walk out on your father? hmmmmm

11. Jesus Christ remains with us as long as we want Him, so once you receive Him enjoy His presence till you receive him again. Jesus said he remain with us when we receive all the time we want him to state, if we speak to him all day long, offering me some word during your chores, I will listen to you, I am always with you

12. Don’t seat outside make sure you are inside or at the balcony, outside worshippers are easily distracted

13. Jesus want us to create a place for him in our lives and in our home – a place, an Alter in your house, He said how many graces does man lose by not giving me a place in his life.

14. Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

15. Always prepared for mass before attending, set your offering apart for God

16. Your intentions for attending Mass is key to your benefiting from the Mass

Thank you

Bro. Peter Awolu