Five HVM Sisters took first vows to God in ceremonies at St. Paul Parish Church in Gwagwalada, Nigeria, in August 2014.  John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, celebrated the Eucharist.  Sr. Barbara Dakoske, HVM, received their vow commitments as Home Visitor administrator.  Sr. Winifred acted as commentator during the ceremony.

Sr, Margaret Opara professes her vows to God

 Above, Sr. Margaret Opara professes her vows to God.  Left to right :  Sr. Margaret Opara (kneeling), Sr. Winefred (standing at the pulpit), commentated on the vow rite, Sr. Barbara Dakoske (seated), Administrator of SHVM Nigeria,  John Cardinal Oneiyekan (seated), Archbishop of Abuja.

Sr. Monica Etokudoh entered the HVM Novitiate

Above:  Sister Monica entered the HVM Novitiate.  As a Novice, she wears a veil with blue trim.  She received a cross and here religious name: Sr. Monica Etokudoh.

Children dancing at the reception in the church hall

Above.  Children dancers from Mater Dei at the vow celebration.  The young dancers were  prepared by Sr. Ndifreke.  The chairman of the occasion and the parents of the newly professed were at the head table.  The five sisters who made their first vows are at the table to the right.

Adult committee members called to dance

 Above: Adult men committee members called to dance during the reception.  Most of the women were busy in the kitchen preparing to serve food at the time this picture was taken.

The children in the 1st grade class at Holy Name School, Birmingham, MI  are becoming missionaries to other small children in Nigeria and Detroit in a big way!  Their teacher, Mrs. Zandra Mitchell, is providing a hands-on method for her students to live their baptismal vows, to share, and to connect with bothers and sisters far beyond their classroom and front doors.

The 1st graders have selected Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary as part of their service project for the current school year.  The students will be purchasing “Our Catholic Faith” youth catechism books created by the HVM sisters in Nigeria to help proclaim God’s Good News to young children there.  Sr. Calista and Sr. Helen, HVM, direct and teach at the Little Angels Nursery and Grade School in rural Ichama, Benin, Nigeria.

Sr. Calista and Sr. Helen, Little Angels School

During the Christmas season the Holy Name 1st graders will also collect socks and children’s books for families served by St. Vincent DePaul Society through St. Raymond/Our Lady of Good Council parish on Detroit’s eastside.

Boys and girls playing volleyball at Little Angels School, Ichama, Nigeria

In addition to their acts of service and generosity, the 1st graders at Holy Name hope to communicate via the internet with the children at Little Angels school in Ichama to learn more about their lives and experiences in a land far different from their own, although that communication is hindered by the lack of computers and reliable internet service for the children at Little Angels School in Nigeria.

Boys football (soccer) team, Little Angels School, Ichama, Nigeria

Vegetable garden, Little Angels School, Ichama, Nigeria

You can help support the same efforts as these “small” missionaries at Holy Name School.   Go to the Contact Us/Donate  page on this website and click on the “Donate” button there.  A $10 donation is enough for one “Our Catholic Faith” book for a child in Nigeria, $25 will help put gas in the tank of the used van at the SHVM convent in Gwagwalada, $200 will purchase a knitting machine for the Sr. Mary Schutz Women’s Empowerment Center.