"A SERVANT IS ALWAYS AT THE DUTY POST OF HIS MASTER"; REV. FR. THEODORE MARTINOS SETONJÍ BOWS OUT AFTER 4 YEARS!

FR THEO! A LEGEND, "THE WALKING LITURGY" ; BOWS OUT!

Four(4) years ago, the catholic worshipping community of Baruwa, still basking in the joy of being uplifted from an outstation to a quasi-parish  by the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Alfred Adewale Martins, trouped out in numbers despite the individual busy schedule of parishioners to welcome a priest everyone barely knew who was transferred from St. John the Evangelist, Oshodi to be the Priest-In-Charge of SS Peter and Paul, Baruwa, by name -Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos.

Fr Theodore,One of the 8 censor deputati of Lagos Archdiocese, who was always seen smiling, soon turned out to be a friend of all, a father to all, a mentor to all, not forgetting his creativity and innovative mindset that brought about rapid developments in the parish physically, spiritually,etc. 

Amongst Others, one major thing SS Peter & Paul will be grateful to Fr Martinos is the Unity that he brought to the parish at a time when there was "Division" in the parish.

Dubbed "THE WALKING LITURGY", Fr Theo as he's fondly called doesn't joke with any issue pertaining to the the liturgy and as a result has inculcated the faith and liturgical practices directly or indirectly into the parishioners of SS Peter &Paul. He is a strict and disciplined priest that always ensures the RIGHT THING is done at THE RIGHT TIME.  It wasn't out of place therefore that he was awarded the most outstanding priest in Lagos Archdiocese in October, 2019 and by the Archdiocesan Laity in November 2018.

His Love for Music still remains unprecedented, little wonder SS Peter and Paul soon become the home of music, instrumentalists were produced from the mini music academy launched by Fr Theodore and have since blessed the liturgy and sacred music as a whole in Ipaja Deanery and Beyond.

Padre, you came and touched our hearts, now you leave; it's hard to see because of  the unforgetable memories in our minds. Your Golden footprints will forever remain in our hearts.

On behalf of SPM CREW- The Media house of the Parish, we extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to you for the years of joyful, selfless and faithful service you have afforded us. As you bid you goodbye to us and continue with your priestly journey, its our sincere prayer that christ bless your love of him and your service to the church; and reward you for been his faithful servant. May you always have songs of praise on your lips! 

o ṣeun pupọ!!!

Rev. Fr Theodore Martinos 

Whittington Raphael and Benedict Emmanuel -SPM CREW Correspondents

Rev. Fr. Theodore in a group photo graph with SPM CREW©

ACHIEVEMENTS OF REV. FR THEODORE MARTINOS FROM 2015-2019

⛪ Renovation of the Church

         

                    Church Compound and Outside View

Inner View of the Church

 A Closer look at the beauty of the Altar and Tabernacle

⛪ Building of the Marian Grotto

The Marian Grotto

His Grace, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins blessing the Grotto 

The Archbishop blessing the People

⛪Building of the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration

The Archbishop of Lagos blessing the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration!

The Archbishop, The Archbishop Secretary, Rev. Fr. Vitalis Eziegwe and Rev. Fr. Martinos saying the final blessings!

P.S - The Marian Grotto and The Chapel of Perpetual Adoration  were both blessed by His Grace, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins DD, the Archbishop of Lagos on November 24, 2018

                                                 
    The Archbishop addressing parishioners of SS peter and Paul before the blessings

⛪ Renovation of the Parish Hall

Rev. Fr. Paul Amenaghawon with the children on Divine Mercy sunday

Sprinkling of holy wàter

Outgoing Priest in Charge -Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos

Fr. Theodore being awarded for his selfless contributions to the laity by the Archdiocese of Lagos in November 2018.

Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos and Rev. Fr. Mattew Attah  being Incenced on Holy Thursday, 2019.

Fr Martinos Poses with the CYON After his Final Mass on Sunday 27th. October, 2019

Fr Martinos During his final mass in SS Peter and Paul, Baruwa

EXCERPTS OF THE INTERVIEW WITH REV. FR. THEODORE MARTINOS

Whittington Raphael and Benedict Emmanuel - Media Correspondents of SPM CREW

 SPM CREw ©: GOOD AFTERNOON FR, WE'RE CORRESPONDENTS OF SPM CREW, CAN WE MEET YOU?

Fr Theo: I'm Reverend Father Theodore Martinos of the Archdiocese of Lagos, Outgoing Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul Baruwa.

SPM CREw ©: WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR APPOINTMENT AS PARISH PRIEST OF ST DENNIS, BARIGA!

Fr Theo: Thank you So Much

SPM CREw ©: FR, ITS BEEN FOUR(4) YEARS SINCE YOUR ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AS PRIEST-IN-CHARGE OF SS PETER& PAUL, BARUWA. HOW HAS IT BEEN?

Fr Theo: It has been 4 fulfilling years, fulfilling because by benefit of hindsight, we were able to judge where we were heading to where we now are and to know that together the Laity and the Priest formed a formidable force to be able to push the expansion of the boundaries of the Kingdom of God in this area(Baruwa) by ensuring that all of us are on the path to salvation.
And I must say that, 4 years down the line, we've moved a real giant step and not only that, I want to believe that there's now a growing desire to further than where we are now which is important being mainly concerned with your present position in your life's Journey - Your Journey of faith is not always so good because it can lead to dormancy of faith, Liquidity of faith or a back slide in your faith but  always conscious of the fact that you're on a Journey. Just as St Paul said, "I'm looking ahead towards a future glory". And I think we've set ourselves in a position where we're able to look ahead and be inspired, What we've been able to to do collectively has really brought us to this part of our Journey.

SPM CREw ©: WHAT WAS THE STATE OF THE WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY OF BARUWA BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL?

Fr Theo: Errm.... Obviously it goes without saying that they were some form of challenges on ground, Some inter-Personal problems with persons. Maybe the community bond wasn't as strong as it should be. I didn't percieve any of the problems before I came here but coming here, I percieved the problem and the first thing we did was to be garnished with s sense of community good. We had to grow in deeper knowledge of each other, accommodating and respecting our differences, pardoning ourselves when we fault ourselves and generally ensuring that we're truly a happy community, a christain community should be a happy community. Despite the mistakes we've made in the part we're inspired by the possibility of correcting our mistakes, healing our wounds and living together as one big and happy family.

SPM CREw©: THROUGHOUT YOUR PRIESTLY JOURNEY IN BARUWA, WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

Fr Theo: Well, Resuming here into a new community, there was some form of set agenda but sometimes they(The Agenda) could be revised or changed when you percieve the present state of the environment of that community.
Bearing in mind that also that if we were to make any physical improvement on your spiritual/Physical Life(s), we need the strength of the community. We've been able to find strength in our being together, the strength inspired by our collectiveness!

SPM CREw ©: FR, YOU'VE BEEN  A MAJOR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO THE YOUTHS ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF ENTERPRENIAL DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT, WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT?

Fr Theo: The World Rests in the shoulders of the youths, it has to be because there's so much strength and vitality in a youth. If a youth is not carrying responsibilities, how will he learn how to shoulder responsibilities when he/she becomes an adult. This principle cuts across every strata of the society. There's a whole lot of benefits of the church when she had young people who become priests and missionaries because of the vitality they bring to the mission field. Christ was a youth, he was able to do his carpentary work being a youth, chose disciples with youthful energies,etc. So having that passion for youth development and driving entrepreneurship into the mind and hearts of the youths is in line with where the world is going to. The world going to a place where youths become a major drive for development, they become producers, manufacturers, innovators. We need innovative ideas that will surmount the problems of the world, you can't be innovative without being productive. For example, it has been said Nigeria's state of economy can never improve if we don't become a producing nation, if you don't produce, you can't compete.
Those who produce are those who set the rules and the pace for development for others. A youth should be able to able to percieve a need or a challenge within his/her society and turn that into an enterpreneurial opportunity.
It's in doing this that a youth bask in the Joy of the fruit of enterpreneurship.

SPM CREw ©: WHATS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AS THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE OF SS PETER AND PAUL, BARUWA?
Fr Theo: That's a tall order to pin-point, I particularly do not have a memorable experience but I would say I'm most delighted in seeing the faith of Children and young people grow. All through my 4 years, any situation that I saw an evidence of faith among children and youths delights me a  lot. This is not to say that I do not see it in adults judging from the entangled situation of the typical youth in this present day world for you to see that there's an interest in the faith is delightful to behold.

SPM CREw ©: WHAT TIME DURING YOUR STAY HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT/FRUSTRATING?

FR Theo: Of course there were difficult moments but when they come , it only gave one the opportunity to reflect, think deeper and be courageous. If they were and of course they were difficult cases, it took a leap of faith bold enough to believe that whatever measure we were trying to employ will yield the right results and I think we may not have done badly with regards to that.
The solution did not only come from the Priest, everyone contributed an idea in solving every difficult case that presented itself before us.

SPM CREw ©: SS PETER AND PAUL HAS EXPERIENCED RAPID DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS THE BUILDING OF THE MARIAN GROTTO, THE HALL , THE CHURCH, ETC. HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO PUL IT OFF WITHIN A SHORT TIME?

Fr Theo: Maybe the question should be how did the parishioners pull it off because they were the ones who gave the enabling environment and needed support for us to do whatever We wanted to do. This is a community of progressives, we all know where we want to be and once someone says, "C'mon, let's do this", people are ready to join the queue to say, "We're with you, Let's do it".
That means there's a sense of objectivity within the community as a whole. Despite our individual ideas and opinions, we still always believe that we have one basic objective to know the truth.
We can see the need to apply our financial energies, entrepreneurial energies into that we consider to be our need.
There was no magic to it, you see a situation where everyone seems to contribute to a particular project.
It has been tough too because the moment we were made a parish, it meant that there was more responsibility, more things to be done in order to give ourselves the image of a parish meaning more money had to be contributed and spent until we reach a level of stability where all the facilities necessary for a parish to glow.

So all the Credit goes to the parishioners, wonderful set of people who are ready to give their all for parish development.

SPM CREw ©: FR, WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO ACHIEVE BUT COULDN'T ACHIEVE WITHIN THE LAST 4 YEARS?

Fr Theo: Ideas keep running down one's mind even before the transfer came, there are things I'll have intended to achieve but because it's not your work, it's the  work of Christ.
We're all servants, a servant is always at the duty post of the master regardless of who that servant is. Another Servant is coming, a new priest(Rev. Fr. Paul Adekoya) is coming and there's always a melting point of ideas - You pass on your yet to be achieved your futuristic set goals, he garnishes it with his own unique style and sees to it's achievement.

But I was particularly Happy with the set up of the children ministry but I regret starting it this late partly because we were not able to put the hall in order to make it conducive for the children. Eventually we achieved that it's better late than never, Like I said before, seeing children and youths who appreciate the need to Know their faith is always an awesome memory to have.

SPM CREw ©: THE PARISHIONERS AND YOUTH WERE ALREADY USE TO THE CULTURE OF SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT DERIVED FROM YOUTH CATHECISM AND FRIDAY EVENING ADORATION & PRAYER SESSIONS WHICH YOU INTRODUCED. AT A POINT THERE WAS A GRADUAL DECLINE IN THESE ACTIVITIES, WAS THERE A REASON?

Fr Theo: There was a Challenge having to maintain these programmes, it's not always  a good thing to starts a program and not keep up with it.
The Friday Adoration was something that I wasn't happy not to make it constant. Certain Fridays were occupied but we hope the new priest will make it constant because it certainly it uplifts the sprit and gives one the opportunity to be more in the presence of the Lord than the regular church attending we do.

My worst fears about the youth cathecism has probably come to bare now which was not centering the youth cathecism around me, now that I'm leaving even with the new priest, you could still have probably a committee set up for it and have persons come to talk during the platform. We've already set a three Point structure (for the youth cathecism) - the SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL and ECONOMIC life of a youth.
I pass the baton over to you to ensure it doesn't die with one leaving the parish.

SPM CREw ©: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'VE LEARNT OR OBSERVED IN SS PETER & PAUL THAT YOU WISH TO TAKE WITH YOU?

Fr Theo: Yes, here was my first place being a priest in charge, it has taught me how to manage situations. When collaborating with your councillors, you have to think through a lot of things yourself, excercising more patience, more listening ears and so much more really.
 A priest shall be a better priest after four years. There are some things I have   been able to learn under 4 years and will take to the new parish to develop to make it more impactful since they are avenues of proclaiming the Gospel.

SPM CREw ©: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PARISHIONER?

Fr Theo: No(Smiles)

SPM CREw ©: WHY?
Fr Theo: Because every Parishioner is Unique, they bring different flavors to the table, even your weakness can also be turned into the positive power/force. based on that, there's NO one favorite Parishioner.
It's just like asking a parent who his/her favorite child is, even if sometimes they may have one(a favorite), everybody  has to be given the same measure of Love, the reception of that love is in line with the peculiar  nature of that person.

SPM CREw ©: IS THERE ANY MEMORY OF YOU, YOU'LL PREFER TO BE REMEMBERED FOR?

Fr Theo:  I know they'll remember for that quick to be angry priest, quick to suspend priest, frowning priest (Smiles). I want them to remember me for that priest whom we gave our support to and he appreciated our support.

SPM CREw ©: WHAT WOULD YOU MISS ABOUT SSPP?

Fr Theo: I would miss the close bond, I have bonded with various people here at different levels, I would miss almost everyone.
Well, one may not find a fitting answer to this till you go to your new parish where things like this will run through my mind and i'll be like," If I was in SSPP, I would have had this person do this.... we would have achieved this together... This music could have turned out this way, etc"

I would miss the bonding, when we were trying to get a community bond, it wasn't something done outside of me, I was part of that community.
Physically, mixed feelings of not been part of the community will be there but emotionally and spiritually we're together forever!

SPM CREw ©: IF GIVEN THE CHANCE TO GO ALONG WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WILL IT BE?

Fr Theo: You want to get me on this(Laughs), I'll run into troubles if I have to pin-point One(1) person. ( Thinks for a while)
I don't know! It's a tough one to call  because tens of names are running through my head before you know I'll have gone through over 900 persons. Maybe Everybody!

SPM CREw ©: FR, IF THERE WAS A SLIGHTEST OPPORTUNITIES TO STAY, WILL YOU?

Fr Theo: Yes, it's good you said "slightest opportunity" because it's not possible for a priest to stay because before I came here, I was also enjoyed in a place(St John the Evangelist) where I enjoyed and learnt a lot,I came here and learnt a lot too. All these things are meant to make you a better priest and improve.Going over(To St Dennis, Bariga) will make me also learn more because you'll see different perspective to pastoral issues.

SPM CREw ©: DESPITE YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE, HOW DO YOU RELAX?

Fr Theo: Before I use to to look forward to the Saturday ball playing (with the CYON) but developments in the church (compound) made us to lose our SAN SIRO & STAMFORD BRIDGE (All Laughs).

I Look forward to match days - Saturdays, Champions League days, even if I'm so tired and there's a live football match on, I'm hooked up to it. It eases me off the burden of the work of the Parish. I thought I could play my PS(Play Station 4) more often but I couldn't do that as often as I wanted.
Then having priest friends around when you can laugh and gist, those were my moments of unwinding.

SPM CREw ©: FR, WHAT MOMENTS WOULD YOU HOLD DEAR OF SS PETER AND PAUL?

Fr Theo: The Impression of SS Peter & Paul, Baruwa in my mind is a community whose heart is open for that which is good, they appreciate what is good and are ready to labour for what is good.

SPM CREw ©: AS THE OUTGOING IPAJA DEANERY CHOIR CHAPLAIN, IN THE LAST INTERVIEW, YOU MENTIONED HAVING PLANS OF TRAINING QUALITY INSTRUMENTALISTS WHO COULD PLAY SACRED MUSIC REALLY WELL. DID YOU ACHIEVE THIS?

Fr Theo:No, Certain factors were responsible, Logistics, finance - because music is expensive,etc. I wanted to concentrate on instruments that could accompany sacred music but it comes with the challenges of time, finance, personnel, etc.  While we also encourage them to hook up with the platforms created by the Archdiocese, it wasn't out of place to have set up a smaller avenue where people could get a semi formal training for the instrumentalists, hoping that someday, every parish will have some form of miniature orchestra, imagine we now come together, it'll be something great!

Whatever little we were able to achieve maybe here(SS Peter and Paul) during the first attempt to start up a music school, all those that came on board during the music program for the deanery, I'm sure some of them are trying to make themselves relevant and once they are successful in learning to a reputable standard, they can impact on others.

SPM CREw ©: DO YOU HAVE ANY MESSAGE FOR THE IPAJA DEANERY CHORISTERS/INSTRUMENTALISTS?

Fr Theo: I would ask them not to be afraid of doing as much as they can for the sake of beautifying the liturgy, every other thing is secondary.
Getting a Career off music is secondary, which is also very major but think first of using your talents to beautify the liturgy.
The person whose kingdom you're beautifying will definitely not forget to beautify your life.

SPM CREw ©: FR, IN THE LAST INTERVIEW YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU'LL HAVE VENTURED IN AGRICULTURE IF YOU WERE NOT A PRIEST. IT'S EVIDENT IN THE FARM IN THE TEMPORARY PARISH HOUSE, DO YOU SEE YOURSELF COMBINING PRIESTHOOD WITH LARGE SCALE  AGRICULTURE ON THE SIDE?

Fr Theo:  Well, In the immediate future you may say No,  the environment may not Accord you the opportunity for that because of the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, we may not be able to find arable Lands nearby.
I'm just trying to do what people may call skill conversion and there's more of my effort being channelled to something on music just  very little contribution to those already doing things for the Archdiocese, so that's what I still plan to do.

Obviously I will still try to run a semi-formal music academy, but we need to get more people into discovering and using their talents to garnish our Sundays and Liturgical celebrations.

SPM CREw ©:  IN THE PARISH, THE ALTARSERVERS, CHOIR AND SOME OTHER SOCIETIES WERE AT THE END OF YOUR STRICT DISCIPLINE AND SUSPENSIONS SHOULD ST DENNIS EXPECT THIS?

Fr Theo: (Smiles) I don't know, when we get there we'll see what we'll do to continue to ensure discipline. I'm sure there's already  a standard of discipline there because a priest was there and I can assure you there's a level of discipline there's so it's just to maintain that standard.

SPM CREw ©: NEXT YEAR YOU'LL BE CELEBRATING 10YEARS AS A PRIEST, YOU'VE SPENT 40% OF THESE YEARS IN SS PETER AND PAUL, BARUWA. WHAT CONTRIBUTION HAS THE MADE TO YOUR PRIESTLY JOURNEY?

Fr Theo: They have made me to mature in all areas of my priestly life, if I have spent 40% of a possible 10 year, it means that I have attained a better level of maturity at least something better than what I was before. To that extent, I compliment SS Peter and Paul for giving me the needed drive to go further.

SPM CREw ©: FR, WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM THE INCUMBENT PRIEST-IN-CHARGE OF SS PETER AND PAUL, BARUWA - REV. FR. PAUL ADEKOYA?

Fr Theo: I know him to be a gentleman, and I know he'll come to compliment what we've done so far and bring some right ideas to take us even further. Eventually I Know he'll lead this Parish to the height far higher than where we are now.

SPM CREw ©: WHATS YOUR PARTING MESSAGE FOR THE PARISHIONERS OF SS PETER AND PAUL, BARUWA?

Fr Theo: Keep the Faith Alive!

SPM CREw ©: THANK YOU VERY MUCH PADRE FOR THE AUDIENCE.

FR Theo: You're welcome!

Goodbye Padre!