NEW YEAR MESSAGE 2025 BY THE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ST JUDE SOCIETY
We continue to express our gratitude to God for the privilege to enter the new year 2025 amidst the challenges of 2024.
It can only be God and we return the glory to Him through the continuous intercession of our patron saint, Jude Thaddeus.
A lot happened in 2024 including the affairs of the St. Jude national council but we maintained ourselves till the end of the year and exhausted our program of 2024 seamlessly and successfully.
We had huge expectations even as a national council and we are still hopeful that our plans that are in accordance with God’s will for us must come to pass through the intercession of our patron saint, Jude Thaddeus in 2025 and beyond. Amen.
On this day. 1st of January 2025, the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. We, as Devotees of St. Jude Society begin our 9 days novena today to usher us into the new year 2025 which has spiritual benefits. We should observe the novena by praying, fasting & giving alms and testimonies shall be ours as usual through the intercession of our patron saint, Jude Thaddeus.🙏
We are in the third year in office of this administration and God has been faithful as we appreciate Him for successes recorded in many areas.
Our reconciliation effort to bring back our members of Onitsha and Owerri Provinces is on course and we expect that the Church authorities will provide a lasting solution even as we continue to advocate for a disbandment of the factional leadership and a return of Onitsha and Owerri Provinces to the fold of the National Council.
We appreciate the intervention of the archbishop of Onitsha archdiocese towards a lasting reconciliation but our expectation is for him as an authority to direct a return of Onitsha and Owerri Provinces to the national council during which a proper reconciliation and reintegration shall be achieved.
I am once again for the third time, specially requesting that we still dedicate our 9 days novena from today 1st of January to the 9th of January 2024 to amongst other petitions, pray that all members of St Jude Society in Nigeria may be one under the national council.
Our AGM for 2024 held successfully during which we presented a scorecard of our administration since we came into office. Reports were received from existing Committees who are working in line with their terms of reference. We appreciate members of each committee and urge them to deliver on expectations for the good of the Society.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has declared the Jubilee year of Hope and Plenary Indulgence is to be gained by participation on pilgrimages. Consequently we are going to embark on pilgrimage for St. Jude Society members at Diocesan, Provincial and National levels at different dates. That of the National Council shall be during the 2025 AGM we implore all members to take advantage of the opportunity to pray and gain plenary indulgence.
We have submitted our 2024 annual report and 2025 Program to the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria as Statutorily required.
We appreciate our National Chaplain who has also submitted his own report to the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and we commend his effort in providing spiritual guidance and leadership support to the National Council.
As a nation, 2025 is here with us with brought forward Economic challenges. Let us not give up hope for a better Nigeria because our God is able to turn things around for good. We should be fervent in our devotion and remember to always pray for our country, Nigeria and for peace in the world.
May the new year bring with it abundant blessings through the intercession of our patron saint, Jude Thaddeus. Amen.
On behalf of the national council, I wish us all a happy and prosperous new year.🙏
ST. JUDE THADDEUS PRAY FOR US!
Bro. Godwin Ukel, Ph.D, KSM
[National President]
