Fr. Innocent Abonyi's pastoral Diary

PUBLICATIONS FROM FR. INNOCENT ABONYI’S PASTORAL DIARY

Reflections

My Priestly Silver Jubilee

My Priestly Silver Jubilee Reflection (1999 -2024)  Fr. Innocent Abonyi, MSP   Introduction In my view, silver jubilees are momentous occasions and significant milestones that marks a quarter of a century of success, growth, failures, […]

Valentine’s Day

A few years ago, I was invited to speak to young university students at a valentine’s day party. In that speech, I pointed out that the February 14 feast commemorated two Valentines: the first a […]

Let us adore Him

Prayers

Prayers

Prayers for various needs

Lord, we thank you for our mothers and the gift of their tenderness and understanding, their patience and thoughtfulness, their kindness and love. We can be so wilful, so thoughtless, so impatient, and so unkind; […]

Community Development

What the Catholic Church has given to Nkanuland

  Introduction  The contribution of the Catholic Church to civilization is well known and well documented. Many scholarly works including the various history books, reference books, internet sources, articles, and of course the Sacred Scripture [...]

Idodo River

From classical history there is an indisputable fact that civilisation in Africa began at the banks of the river Nile. Even in other parts of the Asian world, we know of great rivers like Ganges, [...]

Nkanu East sends SOS to Gov. Ugwuanyi

Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Executive Governor,Enugu State                                         Your Excellency,  Re: We are suffocating in Nkanu [...]
  • Blessed Virgin Mary

    Solemnity of the Annunciation

    March 25th 2020 The feast of the Annunciation, now recognized as a solemnity, was first celebrated in the fourth or fifth century. Its central focus is the Incarnation: God has become one of us. From [...]
  • Blessed Virgin Mary

    Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena

    Nine days novena starts today (7 - 15th April) OPENING PRAYER O Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, I salute thee with the filial devotion. I renew the consecration of myself, and all I have, to [...]
  • Blessed Virgin Mary

    Devotion to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

    Introduction Our Blessed Mother whose feast we celebrate on 7th of October across the universal church is for all times best described as the sweet benediction in the eternal curse. God through the fiat of [...]

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

My experience of the Holy Land, 2018

My trip to the holy land was a journey into the hidden secrets of Jerusalem, an exciting journey to the wonders of the past. It was Bible and sacred tradition brought to life … I […]

About me

Father Innocent Abonyi, is a catholic priest and a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria, West Africa. He was ordained a priest for the missions at the National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on 3rd July 1999. Since his priestly ordination, he has served as a formator, Spiritual Director, and Lecturer at the National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State and Gwagwalada Abuja (1999 – 2001; 2003 – 2006 respectively). He had his postgraduate studies in the Republic of Ireland (2001 – 2003) and Oxford Brooks University, Oxford England (2012 – 2014), obtaining a Masters Degree in each case. He has served in few parishes in England and Wales since he was missioned in the UK in 2006. He was a youth Chaplain and Spiritual Director for the Catholic Diocese of Northampton (2007 – 2013). He is the Chaplain to the Knights of St. Columba, Province 12 Southwark, England. He was a Regional Supetior for his Religious Order. He currently serves as Parish priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Llandudno, Conwy North Wales (Wrexham Catholic Diocese). Fr Innocent is a Spiritual Director, and retreat preacher. He gives spiritual direction and organises workshops. His publication is titled Effective Leadership towards Motivating Missionaries Today (Ambassador Publications, 2009).

Fr Innocent Abonyi’s pubblications

The Church facing COVID-19 Emergency

The Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel’, as we read in Gaudium et spes. How do we interpret the signs of these extraordinary times?

 

Solemnity of the Annunciation

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena

O Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, I salute thee with the filial devotion. I renew the consecration of myself, and all I have, to thee. I thank thee for thy maternal protection and for the many blessings that I have received through thy wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all my necessities I have recourse to thee with unbounded confidence O Help of Christians, O Mother of Mercy. I beseech thee now to hear my prayer and to obtain for me of thy divine Son the favour that I request in this novena.

  • Reflections

    The Story of Christmas and the New Year

    Introduction     There is surely no day during the year in the lives of Christians of several generations down to our own, that is better known, better loved and better celebrated than the 25th of December. [...]
  • Home

    Feast of the Epiphany, Year C

    Is 60: 1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus came into the world not only for the benefit of his own people, but to be the messiah and saviour of [...]
  • Home

    2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C 

    Reflecting on the meaning of advent and Christmas, Mother Theresa of Calcutta said: “The season of Advent is like springtime in nature when everything is renewed and so is fresh and healthy. Advent is meant [...]
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    Christmas Day, Year A

    In recent years especially here and in other first world countries, we have witnessed a subtle ‘de-christianization’ of Christmas. Sensitivity to the religious, or non-religious, convictions of others has led some people to substitute seasonal [...]
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    5th Sunday of Easter Year C

    Acts 14:21-27; Rev. 21:1-5; Jn 13:31-35 Love one another as I have loved you. This is Jesus’ remark at the banqueting table. Of all the commandments, this is the most important. It includes others. The [...]
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    6th Sunday of Easter, Year C

    Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Rev 21:10-14, 22-23; Jn 14:23-29 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you.’ We can’t give peace to others if we don’t have it [...]
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    Baptism of the Lord, Year A

    Today we celebrate the fact that Jesus, God’s own Son, has come into our world as one of us, associated with sinners and has been baptized by one of his creatures.  When we see people [...]
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    Fourth sunday of Advent, Year A

    Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt. 1:18-25 As we approach Christmas, the pace of things speed up, so that the spiritual side of things tends to get lost. Let us pause to make room in our [...]
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    17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

    2 KINGS 4:42-44; EPHESIANS 4:1-6; JOHN 6:1-15 There is much in ordinary life that we take for granted, I suppose. We appreciate these only when there is a shortage. Then suddenly everyone scrambles for the [...]
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    Feast of Christ the King 2018

    The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as an antidote to secularism, a way of life which leaves God out of man's thinking and living and organizes his [...]
  • Blessed Virgin Mary

    Solemnity of the Annunciation

    March 25th 2020 The feast of the Annunciation, now recognized as a solemnity, was first celebrated in the fourth or fifth century. Its central focus is the Incarnation: God has become one of us. From [...]
  • Home

    19th Sunday Ordinary Time-Year B

    1 Kgs 19:4-8; Psalm 33:2-9; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51 In our Gospel reading today, Jesus links show the connection between the bread of life that he gives to those who believe in him and the [...]
  • Community Development

    Idodo River

    From classical history there is an indisputable fact that civilisation in Africa began at the banks of the river Nile. Even in other parts of the Asian world, we know of great rivers like Ganges, [...]
  • Blessed Virgin Mary

    Devotion to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

    Introduction Our Blessed Mother whose feast we celebrate on 7th of October across the universal church is for all times best described as the sweet benediction in the eternal curse. God through the fiat of [...]
  • Home

    5th Sunday of Lent C

    Isaiah 43:16-21; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11 In the Gospel today, Jesus shows gentleness and compassion for the woman who has been caught in adultery. As he sends her away without condemnation, he pleads with her [...]
  • Home

    2nd Sunday, Advent, Year C

    Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6; Luke 3:1-6 The first reading today is from the prophet Baruch. This book is not considered by the Hebrews to be part of their Bible. It is instead, considered as an [...]
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    The Holy Innocents, December 28

    December 28 Herod “the Great,” king of Judea, was unpopular with his people because of his connections with the Romans and his religious indifference. Hence he was insecure and fearful of any threat to his [...]
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    3rd Sunday of the year A

    Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Cor 1:10-13.17; Mt 4:12-23. The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwelt in darkness and the shadow of death, a light has dawned. These beautiful [...]
  • Reflections

    Missionary or Foreign Priest?  

    At the beginning of the 19th century, very few people in Nigeria were practicing Christianity. The same could be said of the rest of the African continent, apart from the Ethiopians, Coptic Egyptians, and a [...]
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    Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

    Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:17-23; Lk 24:46-53 Today we celebrate the glorification of Jesus when God the Father raised him up in glory. Today, Jesus wants us to share in this glory. The feast of the [...]
  • Community Development

    Nkanu East sends SOS to Gov. Ugwuanyi

    Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Executive Governor,Enugu State                                         Your Excellency,  Re: We are suffocating in Nkanu [...]
  • Home

    Ash wednesday, Year A

    ‘The candle that is just smoking, not lit, still has life in it; it still has hope in it. If a neighbour, family member or friend is in a very bad situation or mood, our [...]
  • Home

    4th Sunday of Easter, Year C

    Acts 13:14.43-52; Rev. 7:9.14-17; Jn 10:27-30 In Today’s Gospel, Jesus the Good Shepherd says to us, ‘I know my sheep. They listen to my voice and follow me. Let us listen to the meaning and [...]
  • Home

    18th Sunday Ordinary time – Year B

    Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Ps 77; Ephesians 4:17, 20124; John 6:24-35 Last week, we saw how Jesus fed the people with the bread of life but when they came back the next day for more, he [...]
  • Home

    2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C

    Acts 5:12-15; Rev. 1:9-13.17-19; John 20:19-31  In today’s liturgy of the word, Jesus invites us to draw close to him in faith and to reflectively look at the reality of his resurrection.  We are invited [...]
  • Reflections

    You are a letter from Christ…

    St Paul tells the Corinthian Christians, "you are a letter from Christ...written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God" (2 Cor. 3:3).  There are many variations and translation from the various [...]
  • Reflections

    Valentine’s Day

    Need for Saints and Role Models for today’s youth A few years ago, I was invited to speak to young university students at a valentine’s day party. In that speech, I pointed out that the [...]
  • Home

    4th Sunday of Lent C

    Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Cor 5:17- 21; Lk 15: 1-3.11-32 God’s mercy for sinners is the clear theme that runs through the three readings of today’s Mass. In our first reading, we have the beautiful words [...]
  • Home

    4th Sunday of Advent, Year C

     Mic 5:1-4a; I Sam 17:12; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 Our mother church can never celebrate the role of Mary in the life and mission of Christ enough. In today's liturgy of the word, God demonstrats [...]
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    3rd Sunday of Lent C

     Ex 3:1-8, 13-15; 1 Cor 10:1-6.10-12; Lk 13:1-9 Rhythms of self-discipline and the threefold disciplines of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving help the Christian to the integration of our lives into the paschal mystery, that [...]
  • Home

    Feast of the Epiphany, Year A

    Is 60: 1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 On this day, the veil is drawn back on a great mystery, namely, that Christ is the saviour not only of the Jews but also of the [...]
  • Blessed Virgin Mary

    Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena

    Nine days novena starts today (7 - 15th April) OPENING PRAYER O Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, I salute thee with the filial devotion. I renew the consecration of myself, and all I have, to [...]
  • Reflections

    My Priestly Silver Jubilee

    My Priestly Silver Jubilee Reflection (1999 -2024)  Fr. Innocent Abonyi, MSP   Introduction In my view, silver jubilees are momentous occasions and significant milestones that marks a quarter of a century of success, growth, failures, [...]
  • Community Development

    What the Catholic Church has given to Nkanuland

      Introduction  The contribution of the Catholic Church to civilization is well known and well documented. Many scholarly works including the various history books, reference books, internet sources, articles, and of course the Sacred Scripture [...]
  • Prayers

    Prayers for various needs

    A child’s thanksgiving for mothers (Giles Harcourt) Lord, we thank you for our mothers and the gift of their tenderness and understanding, their patience and thoughtfulness, their kindness and love. We can be so wilful, [...]
  • Home

    3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A

    Isaiah 35:1-6.10; James 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11. Introduction: There is a clear note of rejoicing in today’s mass. Today is known as ‘Gaudete Sunday’. The word ‘Gaudete’ means rejoice. Today is otherwise known as the “Rose Sunday”. [...]
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    3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C

    Zeph 3:14-18; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 Today is known as ‘Gaudete Sunday’. The word ‘gaudete’ means rejoice. Today is otherwise known as the ‘Rose Sunday’. The basis for the rose and for rejoicing is that [...]
  • Pilgrimage

    My experience of the Holy Land, 2018

    Fr. Innocent Abonyi, MSP My trip to the holy land was a journey into the hidden secrets of Jerusalem, an exciting journey to the wonders of the past. It was Bible and sacred tradition brought [...]
  • Home

    16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

    Genesis 18:1-10a; Colossians 1:24-28, Luke 10:38-42 Dear Friends, some of us here might have heard of the game called Pokemon Go, which was the craze and rave for young people in 2016 or thereabout. Young [...]
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    3rd Sunday of Easter Year C

    Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-19 St. Paul in 1 Cor. 15:12-14,20; said ‘if Christ had not been raised from the dead, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain… [...]
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    1st Sunday of advent year C

    JER 33:14-16; 1 THES 3:12-4:2; LK 21:25-28, 34-36 The word "advent" comes from Latin, advenio meaning "the coming". It begins with a call to vigilance. Scripture passages refer to the invitation, for instance Matthew says, [...]
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    Second Sunday of Advent, Year A

    ISAIAH 11:1-10 ROMANS 15:4-9 MATTHEW 3:1-12 We are in the Holy Season of Advent and today is the second Sunday. Every year, on this day, as preparation for Christmas, the Church leads us on pilgrimage [...]
  • Reflections

    The idea of a Good Shepherd

    A mirage among Nigerian Christian Leaders today Introduction: In this article, I hope to explore the Shepherd model of leadership as portrayed by the shepherd metaphor and this comes from my perspective as a catholic priest [...]
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    17th Sunday, Year C

    The most important issue of our times is how to overcome evil without doing further evil in the process. Abraham in his plea with God demonstrates to us that evil cannot be overcome by evil. [...]
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    6th Sunday, Year A

    Eccles 15:15-20. Ps 118. 1 Cor 2:6-10. Mt 5:17-37. Any new movement or community which emerges from an older tradition has to face the problem of its own identity and direction. How different is it [...]
  • Reflections

    In the morning, long before dawn, he got up …

    [Mk 1:35] In the middle of sentences loaded with actions such as healing, attending to suffering people, casting out devils, responding to impatient disciples, traveling from town to town and preaching from synagogue to synagogue, [...]
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