.. as Awka Catholic Community Receives Newly Ordained Priest and Silver Jubilarian Sisters
By Micheal Nnebife and Emmanuel Chigozie
Awka, the Anambra State Capital, was agog on Sunday, August 17, as the first indigenous Catholic Priest of the community, Rev Fr Lawrence Eke, marked 50 Years Anniversary in the priesthood.
The celebration, which took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, was a triple event for the entire Awka Catholic community as they also received in grand style, their son, Rev Fr Albert Mary Chizoba Ezenagu, who was recently ordained, while also marking the silver jubilee of their three Reverend Sisters Felicia Ndirika Nwosu, Evan Thomas Nwosu and Chinyere Agatha Nwogbo.
The Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, numerous religious men and women, as well as the creme de la creme of the Awka Catholic Community, graced the epoch-making event, which began with a Holy Mass.
In his remarks shortly after the Mass, the Golden Jubilarian, Fr Eke, held the mammoth congregation that filled the gigantic St Patrick’s Cathedral, the venue of the Mass, spellbound with the success story of his journey in the priesthood.
Fr Eke said he was a privileged beneficiary of immense Divine Grace, noting that the Grace and goodness of God manifested in a special way in his life.
‘Whatever I am is not by my making, but by the immense Grace of God. I see this Grace manifesting in a special way in my life,’ the jubilarian said.
Fr Eke recalled the contributions of his late parents and those of numerous individuals, whom, he said, played significant roles in his life, and thanked them.
In his remarks, Bishop Ezeokafor, who joined in the celebration during its second part, congratulated the chief celebrants, describing their acceptance to their religious calls as blessings to the Church and their Awka Community.
Bishop Ezeokafor expressed satisfaction with the support of the lay faithful in Igbo Land, particularly Awka Diocese, and urged the ordained to work hard to ensure that they led by example and live up to expectations.
Earlier in the Holy Mass, Rev Fr Ignatius Onwuatuegwu of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mbaukwu, said the goodness of God brought hope to mankind and was manifested in the lives of the chief celebrants.
Delivering a homily, Fr Onwuatuegwu extolled the lifestyle of Fr Eke, and urged the young ordained to emulate him.
While noting that religious vocations brought joy, the cleric admonished the celebrants to continue to uphold such, without relenting on the faith that brought them to the service of God.
In an address of welcome read by the Secretary, Awka Central Pastoral Council, Dr Uchenna Okeke, the Awka Catholic Community said the essence of the celebrations was to accord respect and show love to the chief celebrants.
‘We’re proud of all of you; we the Awka Catholic Community are behind you,’ they assured and prayed God to sustain, keep and give the celebrants the enabling grace to continue to serve Him faithfully.
Responding on behalf of the celebrants, Fr Ezenagu expressed gratitude to the entire Awka Catholic Community, not only for organizing the event, but also for their different gifts.
Presentations of a cash gift of one million Naira to Fr Eke; a brand new Toyota Corolla car model, with two hundred thousand Naira cash gift to Fr Ezenagu; and one hundred and fifty thousand Naira cash gift to each of the three Reverend Sisters, were some of the major highlights of the event.
Different cultural dances and music, which included the Igba Ijele of the Catholic Youths’ Organization of Nigeria, St Peter’s, Nkwelle Awka; Umuokpu Awka men’s Igba Onwu Egbu Ugo; and Umunoke Awka Women’s Ifedi Cultural Dance, added glamour to the event.