CHIEF BARR. OBIA OKWESA-
Saviour.
DOHERTY
She purchased a total of six plots of land in the Bucknor Estate in
1994. There
after she
decided to donate the plots to the Archdiocese of Lagos, and handed over the papers to her then Parish Priest, late Rev. Fr.
John Burke,
SMA, for onward
transmission to the
Archdiocese She donated the land on one condition: that a Church must be built on it.
The land was given to St. Mary Isolo, for safe keeping. Eventually, it became an outstation of SS Peter and Paul, Oke - Afa. The pioneer parishioners of the church eventually located Mrs Doherty after searching for 3 years. A small delegation, headed by the then Priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Olaniyan came to visit; Mr Ken Duru and others. It was indeed a very joyful occasion.
One request was made of her from the delegation :Please nominate a Society of your choice. She decided to nominate a St. John Society to render help and succour to others.
The name was in honour of her Father, Odobor John C.A, Okwesa. she was informed that to choose a name for the newly-established Church a raffle-type choice was made by a 12 year old girl, who chose the name Jesus the Saviour
The success of St. John society has been meteoric. There is no doubt about it that the Almighty was very much in support. In conclusion, Mrs Doherty is grateful to the Almighty for this privilege and honour to serve humanity.
On the 5th of February, 2005 being the first Sunday of that month. Late Rev. Fr. Dory Tubesa, (OSJ) the Parish Priest of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Isolo, announced the donation of this land in Bucknor Estate by Archbishop Anthony Olubunmi Okojie to the Church. On the 6th day of March 2005, the Priest in charge, Late Rev Fr. Dory Tubesa, (OSJ) mandated Rev. Fr. Sebastine Khanichukunat (OSJ) to inspect this land where the church is sited now. On 20th of March 2005, the first Basic Christian Community (BCC) mass took place.From 20th March 2005 to January 2007, third Saturday monthly masses were celebrated under hired canopies and chairs. The maiden Sunday monthly mass was said in Bucknor Estate on the 25th February 2007. Rev Fr. Sunnil Khallarakal (OSJ) said the mass. Attendance was five hundred and forty-five (545). The Sunday monthly mass came to an end in September 2007; and on the 7th of October 2007, the first weekly Sunday mass took place, The Church registered six hundred and fourteen (614) people in attendance.
The worshippers needed a roof over their heads, hence a structure was necessary. For a start,Late Rev. Fr. Dory Tubesa (OSJ) gave the Church thirty thousand naira (#30,000) cash for six poles. The co-ordinator, Mr Oliver Ezegbobel appealed to families to donate towards buying more poles and roofing materials for the erection of the structure. Many families supported this idea and hence donated generously. The altar was completed first.
The date was the 17th day of February 2008.
Rev. Fr. Sunnil Khallarakal (OSJ) officiated at mass on this day. The naming was flagged off by Mr Kenneth Okon who called on the Rev. Fr. to address the congregation on how the naming would go. Rev. Fr. Sunnil Khallarakal (OSJ) brought to the Church five names, viz;
Saint Bakita
- Saint Paul
- Saint Joseph Marello
- Queen of the Rosary
- Jesus the Saviour.
He called out a two year old girl by name Uju Uzoechi to pick one name from among the five names. Lo and behold, she picked
"JESUS THE SAVIOUR".
As the name she picked was being announced, there was an explosion in the air of that balloon bearing the name
"JESUS THE SAVIOUR".
The congregation accepted this name with a standing ovation.
Not long after the naming of the Church, Rev. Fr. Sunnil Khallarakal (OSJ) advised that all organizations and societies should commence. The three organizations: Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Catholic Women Organizatio (CWO), and Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) were registered, and meetings commenced. Other societies in the Church also started operations almost immediately. Election was held and Chief I.O Meregini emerged the vice-chairman of the church Pastoral Council (CPC). The laying of the foundation of the Church was done in the year 2009, by Arch-bishop Anthony Olubunmi Okojie during Rev. Fr. Sunnil Khallarakal's (OSJ) administration. The donor of the land, Chief Obiageli Doherty was present at the foundation laying ceremony. Under Late Rev. Fr. Dory Tubesa, (OSJ) from (2012-2014), a new council was formed and Mr. Samuel Atsiange emerged the Church Pastoral Council (CPC) Vice-Chairman. Rev. Fr. Leo Ukwuani (OSJ) became the Preist in charge of Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church Bucknor, when he was made the Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Oke-afa from 2014- 2018. Mr Atsiangbe was retained as the vice chairman of the Church Pastoral Council (CPC) during Rev. Fr. Leo's administration. * Under Rev. Fr. Leo's administration, the Priest's house was built. After the Priest's house, the main Church building commenced; FR Joseph Ozoh Nwokeforo's administration took over from the decking stage and completed the
This is a major part of our existence. We are a growing parish. There have been remarkable progress in putting out the edifice. Our features for now:
*
Children Bible School and societal meetings.
The lightening in and around the Church is constantly improved for better vision and security; the security has been greatly improved.
The Church constantly takes up street project for ease of parishioners such as erection of culverts,
construction of
drainage channel amongst others.
Full interlocking of the compound and installation of two new gates have been done as well.
New toilet constructed.
New gate house completed.
Fence remodelled.
Parishioners are encouraged to be mission conscious. An Evangelisation Prayer is said every Sunday at mass for the Parish and for the Deanery.
* The Parish successfully completed the Alpha Christian Context program
that held for about 12weeks and Open Life in the Spirit Seminar which held for ten weeks; it recorded a huge success with over 70% of the Parishioners participating and testimonies from them bears witness to this. The Christ the King procession/Evangelical Carnival recorded massive admiration from all and sundry and even media houses.
* The focus this year is on being mission conscious,
winning souls for Christ,
elevation of parishioners in all spheres, boosting prayer life, bible study and doctrine.
* Catechism is given paramount attention as the Archdiocesan template is been used to reach. Also the catechumens are been groomed and encouraged to be versed in the Bible. Efforts are been made to make this more productive than in the past years.
Catechists are been trained from time to time.
* Programs include the Experienced Jesus Personally Program; Discipleship Seminar, Vocation camp, teaching about the Mass, Leadership Seminars,
Teens
Camp and Counselling, Laity week, Youth week, business empowerment seminar and so on.
* Societal meetings holds regularly
* Marriage
Enrichment Programs and
training for Facilitators.
* Commencement of Basic Christian Community Centres.
Sunday Masses Schedule
07:00am | 09:00am |
07:00am (Children Mass)/CHILDREN BIBLE SCHOOL
Every Sunday: 09:00am
Monday - Friday: 6:30am
Saturday: 07:00am
Wednesday & Friday: 6:30pm
Infant: First Saturday every month
Retreat for Parents and God Parents: Last Saturday of the Month before the said date
For Adult: Easter Season
For further information, Please visit the parish office
Saturday: After Morning Masses
Saturday: 04:00pm - 06:00pm
Sunday: 04:00pm - 06:00pm
Monday - Friday: 09:00am - 02:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Time: 10:00am - 02:00pm
Father's Off Day - Thursday
