The night of Thursday, December 15th, 2016 was a memorable one as Bigard family gathered to celebrate the Christmas Gala night before the vacation for the Christmas holiday the next day.
The events of the night began with an opening prayer by Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okoye, one of Bigard’s spiritual directors. This was immediately followed by the presentation of Kolanuts, traditionally blessed by Rev. Fr. Dr. Miletus Ossai (Vice Rector II).
The Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Albert Ikpenwa, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Igboanugo (Vice Rector I), unveiled the Christmas Crib. The Rector portrayed the crib as a symbol of humility and spirituality, and in blessing it, prayed that the sacramental aids all present, internal peace, resounding joy, and spiritual growth.
In his address, the rector thanked God for the opportunity granted the entire Bigard family to witness the 2016 Christmas gala night. He also expressed his deep sense of gratitude to the guests for sparing time to be with the Seminary for the celebration. He further admonished all not to see Christmas merely as a season of merriments and other social gratifications that accompany them. He proposed, rather, that every authentic celebration of Christmas should have Christ at its center.
While appreciating the selfless services and team spirit of the Bigard formators, the rector in a very unique manner poured out his heartfelt appreciation to the Catholic workers volunteer force. With words of gratitude in his mouth, and gifts in his hands, the rector thanked them for their unquantifiable contributions to the health department of the seminary, as he prayed God to meet them at their points of need.
The rector also thanked the lay staff for always contributing their own quota towards the smooth running of the seminary. He expressed his satisfaction and fatherly affection towards the seminarians, and praised them for their inspiring cooperation and docility to the demands of formation. Finally, he wished all a happy Christmas and prosperous new year.
The night’s event was spiced with various presentations. Miss Lillian Ezimako thrilled the nerves of all present with her high pitched sonorous classical song. The members of the seminary main choir were also at their best, as they bought everyone’s attention with their well rendered classical and Igbo songs.
The high point of the night’s presentation was the display of magic and illusions by Rev. Fr. Dr. Blaise Emebo. This magical show-off saw all confounded, amazed and wondering. Other presentations included standup comedy, drama display by the theatre and art club of Bigard, choral presentation by the Holy Family Chaplaincy choir. These presentations were punctuated by performances by the Band of Bigard (BOB). The celebration also featured the presentation of The Voice Newspaper of Bigard. At the end of the presentations, the Vice rector I, Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Igboanugo gave the vote of thanks, as the night’s event ended with a closing prayer by one of Bigard’s spiritual directors, Rev. Fr. Hyginus Mba, All retired, glorifying Christ whose first coming we commemorate, and whose second coming we await.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year