Truth & Mercy Series - June 7th 2026

Truth and Mercy series (Sacraments in School) 

Last Friday, May 29 was a day we didn’t want to forget in a hurry. God brought to the waters of Baptism 13 children from the school plus one sibling and then one for First Holy Communion. The 13 received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. This process began in prayer long before this was executed. It is often said that prayer precedes victory. I remember in 2021, I first visited Our Lady of Champion for the “Walk to Mary”. I was recently appointed Pastor of both St. Alphonsus and Holy Family and so I prayed to Mother Mary that I wish to consecrate to Her all the children of the west end, so that they can know their faith and receive the sacrament as she asked in 1859 when she appeared to Adele Brice. (Just last December, the process for her canonization just kicked off). The Queen of Heaven said to her, “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation. Teach them their catechism, how to sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, and how to approach the sacraments; that is what I wish you to do. Go and fear nothing, I will help you.” 

This mission has been an inspiration to me and every day after the “Angelus prayer” we ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Champion. On Sunday, we are reminded to pray a “Hail Mary” for all the children desiring baptism in the school. These actions of ours with the support of the principal, staff and faculty of All Saints Catholic School, the parents of the children culminated in the joy that erupted during the Holy Mass on Friday May 29, the last day of school. How beautiful that the children baptized are 13? Mother Mary loves 13 so much. During this year, we had installed a statue of Our Lady of Champion in the school and that of St. Philomena who was 13-year-old when she was martyred. They have both interceded these children and kept them fortified throughout the entire process. The bishop was a very great support too and gave all the permissions and approvals that we needed to move forward. This process would not have succeeded without the very inspiration of Our Lady of Champion. A solid foundation has been laid for subsequent years now. I see many more baptisms in the years to come because the children have seen and now, they yearn for it.

Our first ever Joy Jam Family Block Party went without hitches. I want to thank all those who “walked the vision” with me. I want to thank Becky Pilcher in a special way because she stepped in at an important moment to keep the mission going. My entire staff, who worked behind the scenes, are worth lots of thanks and prayers. The OCIA candidates for 2026 were a great addition to the community. They volunteered and made enormous sacrifices to make this happen. Friends and parishioners of this great parish give me joy as you came out to truly show what Jesus asked for, “Let the children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14). We are thankful for all our donors of items, time and talents to help children learn how to make fun stuff. If you were not there, I actually went into the “Jumpy-Joey”. 

• Fr. Nicholas Akindele, JCL