ST. GREGORY’S CATHOLIC PARISH UMUHU OKWUATO SHINES @ AHIARA DIOCESAN BLOCK ROSARY GRAND FINALE, CLINCHES TWO TOP POSITIONS

By Vivian Iwu 

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St. Gregory’s Catholic Parish, Umuhu Okwuato, has emerged as one of the shining Parishes at the just-concluded 5th Ahiara Diocesan Block Rosary Crusade Congress, recording an impressive double podium finish at the grand finale held at Queen of Peace Parish, Oboama Ezinihitte.

The parish demonstrated remarkable talent, discipline and commitment, clinching third position in the Junior Quiz Competition and an impressive second position in the highly competitive March Past Competition.

The grand finale, which held from September 1 to 3, 2026, brought together Block Rosary members from parishes across the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara for days of prayer, fellowship, competition and celebration.

With the theme, “Mary Inspires Us to Shine,” drawn from Isaiah 60:1, the Congress provided an opportunity for young Catholics to demonstrate not only their knowledge and talents but also the discipline, unity and faith that define the Block Rosary Crusade.

For the faithful, parents and Block Rosary members of St. Gregory's Catholic Parish, Umuhu Okwuato, the announcement of the results brought double joy.

In the Junior Quiz Competition, St. Gregory's Parish competed among some of the brightest young minds from participating parishes and emerged in third position.

St. Theresa's Parish, Mbutu Nweorie, took the first position, while the host parish, Queen of Peace Parish, Oboama Ezinihitte, came second.

But the celebrations were far from over for the Umuhu Okwuato parish.

St. Gregory's once again marched into recognition during the March Past Competition, where the parish secured an impressive second position.

Sacred Heart Parish, Mbutu, emerged in first place, while Sacred Heart Parish, Nguru Centre, took the third position.

For St. Gregory's, the results represented more than trophies and positions.

They reflected preparation.

They reflected discipline.

They reflected teamwork.

And above all, they reflected the determination of young Block Rosary members who stepped out to represent their parish and returned home with honours.

The Block Rosary Crusade has continued to provide an important platform for the spiritual and moral formation of Catholic children and young people.

But events such as the diocesan congress also reveal another important reality: faith formation does not exist separately from excellence.

The children who participated in the quiz competition were challenged intellectually.

Those who participated in the march past demonstrated discipline, coordination and teamwork.

Others showcased their talents through music and other activities.

For St. Gregory's Catholic Parish, Umuhu Okwuato, its double recognition at the Congress is therefore a reflection of the importance of nurturing young people spiritually, intellectually and socially.

The parish's performance in both the Junior Quiz and March Past competitions demonstrates the versatility of its young representatives.

They could think.

They could compete.

And they could perform.

The theme of the Congress—“Mary Inspires Us to Shine” —appeared to find practical expression in the performance of the young participants.

For the Block Rosary members of St. Gregory's Parish, shining did not necessarily mean coming first in every competition.

It meant showing up.

It meant representing their parish.

It meant competing with confidence.

And ultimately, it meant returning with results that brought joy to the Umuhu Okwuato Catholic community.

In a society where many young people are confronted by negative influences and distractions, platforms that encourage discipline, spiritual growth, intellectual development and healthy competition remain invaluable.

The success recorded by St. Gregory's is therefore not merely a sporting or competitive achievement.

It is also a celebration of the investment being made in the lives of young Catholics.

The 5th Ahiara Diocesan Block Rosary Crusade Congress ended on a high note at Queen of Peace Parish, Oboama Ezinihitte, with several parishes recording remarkable performances.

St. Theresa's Parish, Mbutu Nweorie, emerged winner of the Junior Quiz Competition, while St. Joseph's Parish, Ogbor Nguru, won the Senior Quiz Competition.

St. Anthony's Parish, Ibeku, took the top position in the Singing Competition, while Sacred Heart Parish, Mbutu, emerged winner of the March Past Competition.

However, for the Catholic faithful of Umuhu Okwuato, the spotlight remains firmly on their young Block Rosary ambassadors from St. Gregory's Catholic Parish.

Their achievements have given the parish and community something to celebrate.

As celebrations continue over the success of OBOAMA 2026, the performance of St. Gregory's Catholic Parish carries an inspiring message for its young members.

This is not the end of the journey.

It is a reminder of what preparation can achieve.

It is an encouragement to study harder.

To pray deeper.

To remain disciplined.

To work as a team.

And to continue representing the parish with pride.

The third-place finish in the Junior Quiz and second-place finish in the March Past Competition may be recorded as positions on a results sheet.

But for the young Block Rosary members of St. Gregory's Parish, Umuhu Okwuato, they are symbols of something much bigger.

They came.

They competed.

They shone.

And as the curtain falls on OBOAMA 2026, one message will continue to echo proudly across Umuhu Okwuato:

St. Gregory's Parish has shown that when faith is combined with discipline, preparation and determination, young people can rise—and shine.

Congratulations to the Block Rosary members, parents, trainers, chaplains and the entire Catholic community of St. Gregory's Catholic Parish, Umuhu Okwuato, for making their parish proud at the 5th Ahiara Diocesan Block Rosary Crusade Congress.

Mary Inspires Us to Shine!

And at OBOAMA 2026, St. Gregory's Parish, Umuhu Okwuato, certainly did.