Fifth annual African Mass celebrates archdiocese’s various cultures

Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Sister Jennifer Otuonye, a native of Nigeria who ministers in Indianapolis, carries the Book of Gospels inside a cloth knapsack to the altar in a ceremonial dance during the fifth annual archdiocesan African Catholic Mass on Dec. 7 at St. Rita Church in Indianapolis. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

By Mary Ann Wyand

Five years ago, Catholics from African countries who live in the archdiocese began celebrating their unique heritage, varied cultures and shared faith as a community.

With their children and grandchildren, they gathered at St. Rita Church in Indianapolis on Dec. 7 to offer thanks to God for his love, kindness and mercy during a festive fifth anniversary Mass concelebrated by nine African priests. (See a photo gallery from this even here)

The Mass was sponsored by the African Catholic Ministry and archdiocesan Office of Multicultural Ministry.

“What prevents me from seeing the kindness and love of God in my life?” Father Benjamin Okonkwo, the principal celebrant and a chaplain at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, asked the people during his homily on the Second Sunday of Advent.

“That’s a question we need to ask ourselves today,” he said. “John the Baptist, in the Gospel, proclaimed, ‘Change your ways. Repent, and God will forgive us’ ” (Mk 1:1-8).

Remember the words of the prophet Isaiah in the first reading, Father Okonkwo added, which tell us to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Is 40:1-5, 9-11).

To do that, you must find a way back to love in your life, he said, because your faith and everything else that is good lives in your heart.

“If we examine ourselves, if we pray and ask God to send the Holy Spirit for us to see ourselves, we find him here,” Father Okonkwo explained, placing a hand over his heart. “… We are made in his image.”

If you cannot see the kindness and love of God in your life, he said, if you cannot feel the presence of God in your life, you must give your heart to him completely, worship him faithfully and forgive the people who have wronged you.

“My dear brothers and sisters, the kingdom of God is not far from us,” he said. “It’s in our hearts. Whatever you sow, you reap. And that’s what John [the Baptist] reminded us. He said, ‘Change your ways. Repent, and the kindness of God will be yours and the salvation of God will be yours.’ … When you turn your life over to God, he will carry you every day and lead you [to him]. And then what happens? Salvation is yours.”

The word of God is a gift for us, but God is not forcing us to accept his invitation, Father Okonkwo said. Jesus lived and died for us, regardless of whether we choose to accept or reject him.

“God loves us and God cares for us,” he emphasized. “Turn back to God. He will grant you salvation. And let evil go away from you—jealously, hatred, everything negative—all the evil. And when you do that, you see the salvation of God. But when there are secrets in your heart, it blocks you. You cannot see [God]. But when they’re out of your heart, what fills your heart is joy and happiness, and you see salvation. … It is for you and me to accept God’s invitation of love, of kindness, of generosity, … and we shall see God’s kingdom, God’s kindness and God’s love in our lives.”

Members of the Global Children, African Dancers in Indianapolis, the African Choir and the St. Rita Parish Choir assisted with the liturgy.

After the Mass, Divine Word Father Eusebius Mbidoaka, administrator of St. Rita Parish, said African Catholics believe that “God is the pillar of our lives, God is everything, God is our foundation, and in him we live and move and have our being. We cannot survive without him.”

During these difficult economic times, he said, people who are struggling can find hope by remembering the spirit of Advent.

“I want them to trust in God, to look up to God, because God is going to be the one who provides [for their needs],” Father Eusebius said. “If we look up to him, he’s going to show us a way. What we try to do with our human power, we may not succeed. But for others who trust in God, God is going to find a way to help them.” †