News - August 2023 RSS Feed

Last Saturday, thirteen new priests were ordained for my home diocese in Nigeria. During his homily, the Archbishop urged them to always remember that they are fools for Christ.

On August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I marked the 14th anniversary of my ordination to the sacred priesthood. I cannot sufficiently express in words my gratitude to God for calling me to share in the priesthood, which is rightfully Christ’s, despite my obvious unworthiness. I am also grateful for the many good people the Lord has put in my life, who have truly been a blessing to me and help me be a better human and a good priest. The occasion offered me the opportunity to once again reflect on how I am stewarding the ministry that has been entrusted to me. I took time to repent for past sins and wrongs and to rededicate myself to the service of God and of his people. [Click to continue reading]

Fr. William reflects on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Dear parishioners,  Thank you for your patience with me and for your understanding as I exercised my teaching ministry on the subject of music in our liturgy. I took the time to address some of the major issues because I thought it was a subject too important to be rushed. As everything that has a beginning must come to an end, I would like to bring this series to an end. This does not suggest that I exhausted all the Church teaches on the subject matter. Our parish will continue to apply the learnings from the richness of the Church’s repertoire to our practice here at St. Thérèse, Little Flower, taking into account our context and circumstances. This week I want to address the question of musical instruments for the liturgy. [Click to read more]

During his speech at the opening ceremony of World Youth Day 2023, Pope Francis reminded us that there is room for everyone in the Church. The Church belongs to everyone called by God through baptism. According to him, Jesus made this point very clearly in the parables in the gospel, that "all are called."

It is the vision of the church, from her history, to have the major parts of the Mass sung. The Second Vatican Council assigns a position of pride to the Gregorian chant as the normative form of singing in the Roman liturgy. Traditionally, masses derived their names from the words of the entrance antiphons chants. [Click to read more]

Since I began addressing the subject of music in our liturgy, I have received some feedback from parishioners and staff. As I mentioned in a previous letter, my intention at the moment is to instruct. Decisions on the future course of our music will be a product of prayer, consultation and thorough discernment. And it would largely be determined by what the Church teaches and what is pastorally feasible, given our context. I appreciate your comments, they tell me you are reading my letter and are interested in the subject matter as I am. This week I want to address the reason we sing the Mass. [Click to read more]