It is not easy to define a people and their culture. This is because if we focus on their external appearances, we may end up missing something more fundamental, but on the other hand, if we ignore their outward appearances, we may also miss out on some important aspects the people's lives.
The lgbo people of Eastern Nigeria in west Africa are no exception to this basic rule. To understand them, one has to focus on their values as well as what they project externally. Among their core values include, community-oriented life, hard work, love for learning and for their children, respect for the sanctity of life, the elderly and the vulnerable, and a stubborn ability never to quit on a noble pursuit and excellence. Simply put, lgbos never quit, and they are very creative.
It is primarily these cherished values, among other things, that make lgbo people appear relatively proud or even defiant, walking with a sense of vision and mission. You may easily distinguish an lgbo person from other Africans by his or her undying quest for excellence and refusal to throw in the towel when things get rough and tough. Ironically also, this reality might be one factor that has made this forward-looking and knowledge-seeking group from West Africa a target of envy, hatred, and even persecution both in their homeland and elsewhere.
Indeed, the lgbos, like the Jews, and the modern Palestinians, seem to be among the most persecuted and misrepresented people in the world today. Fortunately, however, their core values of hard work, positive attitude, love for life, education, and community, have continued to propel them to do well and excel even in the midst of trying circumstances.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is in the light of this reality that one can truly understand and appreciate the lgbo people of Eastern Nigeria, a group that are now functioning here at St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish in mutual and collaborative ministry since October 5 this year, thanks to the welcoming mat spread by the parishioners, as well as Fr. Terry Kerner, the Moderator, and leadership of this historic parish. As one can easily observe, the lgbo folks are tirelessly community-oriented and God-centered. They do not toy with their faith in the Lord who has sustained them in their long struggles. Most of their community activities and functions are often preceded by holy Mass or adoration. They love to sing and dance for the Lord despite life's challenges, because they believe that the Lord doesn't ultimately fail his faithful children in their daily struggles. Also, to be stressed here is the fact that the lgbo people love their community and always strive to give their children the highest possible education that their limited resources could permit, persistently wanting their children and grand-children to exceed them academically, and therefore leave a better legacy for the future, knowing that knowledge is power. Hence, it is no exaggeration to say that a great number of the black doctors, pharmacist, dentists, engineers, lab technologists, and teachers, you may encounter in this country and many parts of Europe, are of the lgbo origin. They speak the same lgbo language with which we celebrate the lgbo Mass here on every first Sunday and third Sunday of the month here at this parish at 2 pm. The lgbo professionals usually go about their duties with cheerfulness, positive attitude, and undying hope for a brighter future for themselves and for their children and grandchildren. One of the unmistakable marks of the lgbo people is their lively smiles and uplifting worship style. They love to sing and dance for the Lord! They also often love to party and dress in eye-catching colors. Frankly speaking, to attend an lgbo function is to be prepared and ready to dance and glorify the Most High! Therefore, when you participate at any lgbo Mass, don't be surprised to find out that almost every worshipper actively participates in almost every aspect of the Mass, most of which are also sung by both the choir and the entire congregation. The mindset is, to be at lgbo language Mass is, to be an active participant, not a passive observer.

In other words, a passive worshipper at lgbo language community Mass is a contradiction in terms! All are expected to be actively engaged from start to finish. Indeed, the immigrant lgbo Community may not be materially rich, but they are genuinely striving to be spiritually rich and also trying their best to be salt and light to their community and world. To God be the glory! Two broad goals of the lgbo Community can be summed up as, outreach to their struggling immigrant sisters and brothers, and future ethnic lgbo parish by God's grace in the long term, ethnic parish, such as, the South Korean parish in South Lyon, the Lithuanian parish in Southfield, and the Vietnamese parish etc., to name but a few. But the lgbo Catholic Community Chaplaincy's immediate goal is to continue to create an active and uplifting worshipping environment where God is adored and worshiped with joy, while also uniting the community for a meaningful outreach to the needy members and others. Membership of the lgbo language Mass comprises of worshippers from parishes in Southfield, West Bloomfield, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Canton, Westland etc. They travel miles and miles to attend the lgbo language Mass without losing their support for individual local parishes. But their hope hinges on a future lgbo ethnic parish in God's providence. As you view the pictures of the worshipping, partying, or dancing lgbo community folks, please, get ready to encounter some of them in the near future and know that they are your sisters and brothers in the Lord's vast vineyard, folks that are genuinely grateful to be welcomed here at this beautiful church with a rich and cherished history.
In a nutshell, this is the picture of the lgbo language faith-community that you will be encountering here St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish. You will. find them, no doubt, very lively, engaging, and energizing. At some special occasions like annual harvest and bazaar in November, Mother's Day in May, etc. the women usually wear their gorgeous uniform, and also cook delicious meals to serve everybody present at the occasion. As a result of the remarkable progress the community has made after just starting with less than 8 immigrants more than eighteen years ago at St. Cecilia parish in Detroit (now known as St. Charles Lwanga Parish), and now enjoying an impressive growth of more than two hundred members, in more than eighteen years, the former archbishop, his excellency, Allen Vigneron, deemed it necessary to elevate the lgbo language Community Mass to the status of a Chaplaincy in 2022, thereby giving it power to do certain things, including baptisms and funerals. Currently the community keeps its modest savings account in the archdiocese, as it continues to focus on its short and long-term vision and mission.
May the lgbo Catholic Community Chaplaincy here at St. Alphonsus -St. Clement Parish help to grow and continue to energize the faith community, as well as the lgbo language Mass for the mutual benefit of both faith-communities, and the glory of God. Amen!
Reflections by Fr. Michael Nkachukwu Chaplain of the lgbo community