Communities

Basic Christian Communities

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BASIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES:

St John Catholic Church, Rumuokwurusi

 

BACKGROUND

What are Basic Christian Communities (BCC)? Do they exist in your parish?

The above question was one of the numerous issues raised during the Port-Harcourt Diocesan Synod in 1999 (Building Together Towards the Third Millennium).

From definition, the Basic Christian Community is another name for Small Christian Communities whereby the faithful gather in smaller groups (also called home Cell group) to share the Word of God with one another.

Establishment of BCC to take care of Catholics living at different geographical areas within the Parish is desirable. This will help to promote fellowship among Christians.

PRELIMINARY GROWTH OF THE BCC IN ST JOHN

The first Basic Christian Community (BCC) in St. John’s was an inspiration of the Holy Spirit by Rev. Fr. (now Rev. Dr. Msgr) Cyprian Onwuli in 1994.

The inaugural meeting was held in the residence of Philip Oviku (of Blessed memory) at 17 Woji Road. Some of the families represented on the occasion were Oviku, Wisekere, Chukwueke, Ogbonna, Umana and Mene-Ejegi.

This small group, like a cell, continued to grow in numbers and, subsequently, led to the forming of a larger group that was established in Rumuogba in 1999. This group later enlarged to be called the Rumuogba/Elelenwa/Woji Road BCC and the meetings were held fortnightly and rotated amongst members.

It was facilitated by Aanie Wisekere and coordinated by Sir Ignatius Ikeh. By then the attendance list had the following family names in alphabetical order (1) Arukwe (2) Asogwa (3) Chukwueke (4) Ezebilo (5) Ikeh (6) Iroegbute (7) Iwuagwu (8) Mgbahurike (9) Nsobundu (10) Nwufoh (11) Okebaram (12) Okeke (13) Okoli (14) Oraekwe (15) Uwakhonye (16) Wisekere.

The Bible sharing sessions were enriched by the presence of some Priests who were undertaking further studies in the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) such as Rev. Frs. Ugbaje (CSSP), Peter Mensah(from Ghana0, Peter bIkulu and Patrick Uleyo.

In due course, another BCC group sprung up in the Shell Residential Area (Shell RA BCC) and was formerly inaugurated on 7th March 2001 in the residence of Sir George Ukpong (of Blessed Memory) and moderated by Rev. Fr. Moses Iyara (CIWA). The families that were represented are Duru, Ekpe, Iyamu, Maduabuchi, Nwabueze and Ukpong. This group quickly grew to include the following additional families:

Asuquo, Benson, Diala, Efemuaye, Egwim, Ejedawe, Lawrence, Marizu, Nwafor, Nwosu, Obiahu, Odoemenem, Okuns, Omiyi, Osubor and Onwuasomba.

At various times, there were several Priests & Religious (CIWA etc.) who spiritually-enriched the sharing; they include Rev. Frs. Kevin Agbakolom, Ray Ikponmwoba, Anthony Atoyebi, Emmanuel Olushola, Emmanuel Ogunleye, George Ajana & Rev. Sr. Mary-Benedict Isara amongst others.

The meetings were held on Thursday evenings and a family hosted for a period of one Month in rotation.

 

FORMAL INAUGURATION OF THE BCC IN ST JOHN’S RUMUKWURUSI

The progress and enthusiasm of the groups led to the formal institution of the St. John’s Parish BCC by Fr. Clement Dekoo (then Parish Priest of the Church) supported by Sir Henry Agbai (Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council) on 12th June 2012. The weekly meetings were fixed for Tuesdays at 6pm. At that time, no Parish activities takes place in the Church as all are required to join the BCC group nearest to their location.

The following zones were established at the initial stage:

ZONES FOR BASIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

FACILITATORS/CONTACTS

RUMUOKWURUSI 1 (TAXI PARK – RUMUOKWURUSI MARKET)

PAUL NWANKWO/JULIANA NWANKWO

RUMUOKWURUSI 2 (IGWURUTA RD – SCHOOL JUNCTION)

BEN EMELIFE/CHINYERE NWANKWO

RUMUOKWURUSI 3 (AFTER SCHOOL -TANK/EAST WEST ROAD)

ANTHONY UMEH/MARK OSONWANNE/MG OBICHERE

SHELL RESIDENTIAL AREA/EXPRESS/1ST ARTILLERY JUNCTION)

CYRIL EKPE/ERNEST-MARIO EDAH

RUMUIBEKWE

ELDER (MRS) GREEN/TONY EKEKE

WOJI ROAD

ANTHONY OBAYI

ELELENWO/AKPAJO

IFEANYI ASOGWA/CYPRIAN IWUAGWU

ELIMGBU/PIPELINE/ATALI/OROIGWE

EMMANUEL MICHAEL/BRO LUCKY

RUMUODARA/RD ROAD/ELIOWHANI

DOROTHY EBOH/SHIKO ATHANASSIUS

RUMUOGBA/2ND ARTILLERY/OLD ABA ROAD

SIR IKEH/AANIE WISEKERE

OIL MILL/IRIEBE/OYIGBO

DR. CC ARUKWE/FRANCIS MORDI.

ENEKA (1ST-2ND MARKET)

JULIANA EBHOMIEN/ GLORIA ADIM

Subsequently, some of the groups merged and some blossomed to become BCC Mass Centres. We appreciate the following individuals you provided their personal facilities for the Mass Centres:

viz;

  • Elder (Mrs) Maria Green. Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Nembe Road), Rumuibekwe.

  • Mrs Maria Goretti Obichere. St. Anthony (Tony Maria International Academy), Rumuodara.

  • Dr. Christian Chikezie Arukwe. St. Jude (Old Refinery Road), Elelenwa Road).

 

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BCC

The primary objectives have so far been achieved:

  1. Aid the work of evangelization by studying and discussing the Word of God in small groups. This has helped to improve the quality of their proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and reinforced the foundation of our faith since the Bible is the heritage of the Catholic Church.

  2. To meet and pray as a community as did the early Christians. Provided the right atmosphere to share testimonies and family life as well as governance issues that affect the Church. There have been reflections on the Church’s teachings and practical examples on how to deal with the tough economic/social problems facing Nigerians.

Furthermore, the BCC has provided the right platform to “love God and neigbour” through the following events:

  1. The first “love feast” & annual party was held on Feb 2013,

  2. The “one year” BCC anniversary celebration was held on 11th June 2013 and subsequently marked annually in June (2014 – 2016). The celebrations have promoted singing, drama, Bible quiz and provided opportunities to strengthen the weak BCC centres.

  3. Regular Masses and group events at the respective Mass Centres including Harvest Thanksgiving/Bazaar. One day, they will become new Quasi-Parishes and, eventually, autonomous Parishes!

  4. Moral and financial support to expanding the spiritual work of the Diocese via the Cathedraticum, Pastoral Centre, Ordinations etc,

  5. Recently, the first St. John’s “Cultural Day” on 1st October 2017 under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Martin Amadi (Parish Priest) and Rev. Fr Simeon Ayaraekpe (Asst. Parish Priest).

All in all, the Basic Christian Communities members are continuing with the good examples of the early Christians; “they were faithful to the teachings of the apostles, the common life of sharing, the breaking of bread and prayers……and every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (Act 2:42-47).

Meanwhile, we shall continue to pray for the repose of the departed souls of active BCC members, viz; Philip Oviku, George Ukpong, Cyprian Iwuagwu, Lawrence Emetu.

May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, though the mercy of God rest in peace, AMEN.

St. John’s family, for the love of God and neighbour!

Cyril Ekpe (Contributors: Aanie Wisekere, Sir Ignatius Ikeh, Aanie Wisekere, Dr. C.C.Arukwe, Sir Mark Osonwanne, Shiko Athanasius).