At 10.00am, I was in Aboegbu-Umuoba Anam for the first formal Pastoral visit to St Theresa's Independent Station. On arrival at the primary school building which also served as the temporary place of worship, I was received very warmly by the people. Then, I was taken to the site of the new Church building. I observed that the area mapped out for the future parish was vast and could accommodate both primary and secondary schools, rectory and a Church. Across the road, I was shown a newly completed health clinic. 
          I concelebrated Holy Mass with a number of indigenous priests. About 30 persons received the Sacrament of Confirmation. 
          Just before the end of the Mass, Fr Paul Nwanegbo, one of the indigenous priests present, spontaneously invited the people to raise money for the new Church under construction. The people responded generously. Deo gratias!
          After the Mass, we proceeded to the site of the new Church, where I laid the foundation block. In prayer, I said: 
Father,
the prophet Daniel spoke of your Son,
as a stone wondrously hewn from a mountain.
The apostle Paul spoke of him,
as a stone firmly founded.
Bless + this foundation stone
to be laid in Christ’s name.
You appointed him
the beginning and the end of all things.
May this work begin, continue,
and be brought to fulfilment in him,
for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

With faith in Jesus Christ,
we lay this stone on which a Church will rise.
May it be a place of sacrament and a source of grace,
to the glory of the Father who with the Son and Holy Spirit
lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

          On my way back to the temporary Church, I blessed the health clinic.

          Warm reception by the community. Thanks to Fr Peter Okoli, the administrator of the Independent Station, and the Church Community members who rallied round him. It was a successful pastoral visit. I am convinced that the Station/Parish has great future. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.