By John Inyang
BETONG — On the evening of Thursday, 24 July 2025, the faithful of Holy Family Catholic Church, Betong, gathered not only for spiritual nourishment but also for deeper catechetical formation. The evening began with the celebration of Daily Mass at 6:30pm, led by Rev Fr Henry Jimbey. The Church was filled with a spirit of prayer and reverence as parishioners came together to encounter Christ in the Eucharist before delving into the night’s spiritual teaching.
At 7:30pm, the iconography session commenced with the theme, “St Joseph.” Delivered by Fr Henry Jimbey, the talk was both enlightening and inspiring, offering participants a deeper understanding of the life and virtues of one of the Church’s most beloved yet quietest saints.
Fr Henry began by tracing the history of devotion to St Joseph, emphasizing how this humble carpenter of Nazareth came to be venerated as the Patron of the Universal Church. He highlighted how, despite his silence in the Gospels, St Joseph speaks volumes through his actions and example, a model of integrity, trust, and obedience.
The session focused on several key symbols found in iconographic representations of St Joseph:
- The flowering staff, symbolizing his divine appointment as Mary’s spouse and the earthly father of Jesus.
- Carpentry tools, signifying the dignity of honest work and Joseph’s identity as a provider.
- The Child Jesus in his arms, representing his vital role as guardian and protector of the Holy Family.
Participants were also guided to reflect on the spiritual teachings of St Joseph’s life. Fr Henry invited everyone to see St Joseph not only as a historical figure but as a living example for today’s families, workers, and Church leaders. His virtues of faith, silent strength, obedience to God’s will, and unwavering commitment to his family were presented as deeply relevant in a world longing for authentic fatherhood and faithful witness.
The session was attended by 56 participants, including youths, members of the Main Church Committee (MCC), and religious classes. The diversity of the attendees showed the growing hunger for deeper faith formation across generations.
The evening concluded with a brief Q&A session, where participants engaged actively with Fr Henry, asking meaningful questions about how to live out St Joseph’s virtues in daily life. A closing prayer was then led by Fr Henry, in which the community entrusted themselves to the intercession of St Joseph, asking for strength to follow his example in humility, service, and devotion to God.
This catechesis session not only deepened the participants’ knowledge of St Joseph but also stirred hearts to imitate his powerful silence, steadfast faith, and loving leadership – traits that are urgently needed in our homes and Church today.
