Truth & Mercy Series - July 5th 2026

My first trip to this “New Land” as it was previously called was July 1, 2016. It was the birthday of my little sister, so it was difficult to give her a call back in Nigeria, but that was not what made this day very special. I was received at the Moline airport by Frs. Paul Appel and Stephen Abaukaka. Fr. Appel is the link between Msgr. Jim Parizek and Fr. Stephen Abaukaka (a priest of the same diocese as me from Nigeria). He had come to Davenport for the CPE program (training of Chaplains for the hospital). I had ridden with both priests in Fr. Paul’s car. We rode on the now “old” 1-74 bridge. For me that was iconic until the new one was built. That is to say how long I have been on this side of the river. As we drove, I remember, the usual priest’s conversation was warm and at one point Fr. Paul asked if I was hungry, to which I did not waste time to answer in the affirmative. He asked if I wanted a place for beer too and I said, “Yes, that seems canonical”, since we were both canonists. There we were in East Davenport, enjoying a meal together and “coincidentally” there was a band to “welcome” me to Davenport. Fr. Stephen began to call me “The King of Davenport”.

I was right in good time for the 4th of July of 2016. The fireworks were everywhere. I thought Americans were simply crazy. Of course, Nigeria is no different. I remember my first fireworks by the River Mississippi. The Tappas had me with Fr. Abaukaka for the evening. From across the Mississippi, we could see the beautiful trains coming and going. They made all the noise. There were campers all around the Mississippi. There were several people drinking beers and socializing. It was fun to behold. I thought this sounds fun. Coming from a school environment in Leuven, Belgium, it was a great change indeed. Everyone appeared relaxed and I was really making every attempt to not expose my serious side. Everyone was welcoming and wanted to know how I got here. It depends on whether I consider you my friend or not, to tell you if I flew or I swam. You might have heard that already.

As time went on, I settled down to figure out who Americans were and where I am. I found out that America is a product of war too, like many other countries. I found out America’s independence dated back to July 4th, 1776. The fireworks of the 250th anniversary come from the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, since the entire country was quickly consecrated to Her. And to live in the Quad Cities is particularly instructive, since the River Mississippi (to which I sang long ago as a kindergartener), was later christened “The River of the Immaculate Conception” by the famous missionary Fr. Jacque Marquette (on whose street I now live), and me, having been ordained a priest in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lokoja, Nigeria. It looks like my life has come full circle.

On this historic Jubilee, the entire Catholic Bishops made a great leap forward by consecrating the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When you think of the “burning furnace” of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is unmistakable that the two Hearts of Jesus and Mary are going to set this entire country on FIRE, not from our traditional fireworks which are already going off but from the TWO HEARTS that love this land more than can be imagined. America has a destiny to fulfill on behalf of the committee of nations. America holds a lot of purpose for the rest of the world. America being a land of opportunity is also filled with mission opportunities for individuals and communities alike. America is called to live out her true identity: In God We TRUST through learning from the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who TRUSTED God’s words to the fullest, to the point of making that WORD-INCARNATE.

May the mission of American begin with you and me. Amen.

Fr. Nicholas Akindele, JCL, pastor