By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
St Francis Catholic Church, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, was agog with celebrations on Sunday, 22nd December, 2024, as the family of Sir Charles Omalu of Enugwu-Ukwu, with throngs of their associates, friends and well-wishers, stormed the Church, for a special thanksgiving.
Though Sir Omalu acknowledged that the family always thanked God for His numerous blessings, especially the gift of life, this special thanksgiving was specifically for 46 Years Anniversary of the Religious Profession of his sister, Rev Sr Carmela; successful wedding of his son, Mr Patrick which took place at Stephen’s Cathedral, Australia, on 30th November last year; and Six Months’ Birthday of his granddaughter, little Miss Mmasinachi.
The thanksgiving Mass, which attracted numerous priests and religious from far and near Catholic Dioceses; the noble Knights and Ladies of St Mulumba, Wuse Subcouncil, Abuja; Enugwu-Ukwu Community Leaders; among others, was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor.
Speaking in a homily, Bishop Ezeokafor noted that the greatest thanksgiving one had to give was to be on good terms with God.
The Bishop, who admonished Christians to always appreciate God for His blessings, recounted the Biblical story of 10 lepers, noting that God expected thanksgiving from man.
‘It’s clear to us that God expects appreciation from us, just as Christ expressed in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 17, verse 11 to 19.
‘Giving thanks means that you must appreciate what you have gotten, and if you have appreciated it so much the giver will be encouraged to give more.
‘Many struggled, and did their best, but eventually died. That you live to celebrate the last Sunday before Christmas is not that you struggled more than them; it’s by the grace of God,’ Ezeokafor told the congregation that filled the gigantic St Francis church building.
‘So, you have to always thank God, especially in sharing what you have at your level with your neighbours as a way of celebrating Christmas,’ the Prelate urged.
He said that Christ came to the world out of love of God to mankind, urging the congregation to love God and their neighbours.
Saying that the second coming of Jesus Christ would be a spiritual reunion between Him and the believers, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese exhorted them to use the occasion of the Christmas celebration to prepare to meet Christ in soul.
‘Our souls need to celebrate more as the second coming is a spiritual one,’ he said.
‘The only way to celebrate and meet Christ this time around is to meet Him in a state of grace,’ Bishop Ezeokafor added.
The Bishop prayed for the Omalu Family, asking God to sustain them and His blessings upon them.
During the Mass, he presented Pope Francis’ goodwill message, and an award by St Francis Central Choir, to Sir Omalu.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest of the Church, Rev Fr Peter Val Uzoezie, expressed gratitude to God, and Bishop Ezeokafor, saying his Parish was favoured to celebrate the last Sunday before Christmas with the Bishop.
On his part, Sir Omalu thanked the Bishop for accepting to officiate the special thanksgiving Mass.
Sir Omalu, who was overwhelmed by the blessings of God upon his life, expressed appreciation to his parish in Abuja, his associates, especially the noble Knights and the Ladies of St Mulumba, Wuse Sub-Council, Abuja, for their solidarity despite all odds.
In separate interviews with Fides, the Grand Knight of Knights of St Mulumba, Wuse Sub-Council, Abuja, Engr Gabriel Ugamah, and a former President General of Enugwu-Ukwu Community, Comrade Bonny Ozo Nkwuaku, described Sir Omalu as a famous philanthropist whom God was using to bless humanity, both in his Enugwu-Ukwu Community and Abuja, where he resided.
Engr Ugamah and Comrade Ozo Nkwuaku prayed God to continue to bless Sir Omalu.
The Omalu family during the Mass, appreciated the Central St Francis Choir with the sum of five million Naira.