…Confirms 80, as Cardinal Okpaleke Lauds Edifice
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commissioned a magnificent one-storey building at St James’ Chaplaincy, Ndiora Ezinato, in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The Catholic Bishop, who was on a Pastoral visit to the chaplaincy alongside his Ekwulobia Diocese counterpart, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, on 1st December 2023, also blessed a prayer ground for Number One Adoration Ministry at the chaplaincy for aggressive evangelism in the area.
Speaking while commissioning the Father’s House, the bishop prayed God to fill and surround the magnificent edifice with the Holy Spirit to make it a peaceful home where priests and all that served in the God’s Vineyard would be taking a rest after day’s work.
In a homily during a High Mass presided over by Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, Bishop Ezeokafor expressed delight at the infrastructural development at the chaplaincy, asking God to bless and grant the requests of those who might be come to the Adoration ground for prayers.
He appreciated the individuals who contributed in the development, and the parishioners for their tireless effort, urging them to extend the same to the church building, which, he said, was a central focus in God’s Vineyard.
While thanking God for the 80 candidates for the Administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation during the episcopal visit, the chief shepherd of Awka Diocese expressed optimism for a bright future of the chaplaincy and prayed for grace that would enable the candidates to remain steadfast in their faith and to be useful to themselves, their parents, society, and God, so as to have eternal life.
The prelate congratulated the chaplain of the chaplaincy, Rev Fr Peter Andrew Ibeazor, whose 40th Birthday Anniversary coincided with the epoch-making event, which the parishioners described as ‘double-double’ Pastoral Visit.
He extolled Fr Ibeazor’s effort at the chaplaincy and enjoined the parishioners to continually support him for more development.
In his remarks, the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, who expressed excitement for being part of the tripartite occasion, thanked the Ezinato Catholic Community for their faith, evidenced in the infrastructural development going on in God’s Vineyard.
Cardinal Okpaleke prayed for the Ezinato Catholic Community, asking God to increase their grace and that of their Priest, Fr Ibeazor, and others that would succeed him.
The chief shepherd of the Ekwulobia Diocese appreciated his Awka Diocese counterpart, Most Rev Ezeokafor, for his fatherly care for the Ezinato Catholic Community.
The Cardinal commended Fr Ibeazor’s exploits and urged the Ezinato Catholic Community to tap a full dose of the blessings God deposited in the young energetic priest.
In an interview with Fides, the elder brother of Fr Ibeazor, Rev Fr Anthony-Mary, felicitated with his younger brother, describing him as a symbol of great vocation in the manner of Prophet Elisha.
‘I saw Fr Chukwuebuka (Fr Peter Ibeazor) right from the moment he was young; good is not enough for him; better is not enough for him; he strives for the best.
‘He says and does, ”only the best is good for the Master”,’ Fr Anthony-Mary noted.
Fr Anthony-Mary, who is of
Onitsha Catholic Diocese, prayed that the double portion demand of Prophet Elisha, which, he said, he observed in the life of his younger brother, Fr Peter, would continue to blossom and flow without distraction.
In an address of welcome read by Mr Chukwunenye Nnebolisa, on behalf of the Pastoral Council of the chaplaincy, the Ndiora Ezinator Catholic Community expressed gratitude to the bishops, Most Rev Ezeokafor and Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, for their fatherly disposition the community had been enjoying.
They expressed satisfaction with Fr Ibeazor’s service in the area, pointing out that the mindset of the Ezinato Catholic Community changed positively when Fr Ibeazor came on board.
‘He initiated the Number One Family which co-opted the three chaplaincies of St Joseph’s, Ndikpa; St James’, Ndiora, and St Paul’s, Ntoko.
‘He merged the three chaplaincies as one chaplaincy called Ezinato Chaplaincy.
‘He initiated Jesus Class or School of Jesus where all the chaplaincies are free to join and learn everything about the Scripture,’ they said.
Some of the parishioners, including the Chairman, Catholic Men’s Organization, Chief Jonathan Nwosu; and the Chairlady, Catholic Women’s Organization, St James, Mrs Monica Onwumesuru, who spoke to Fides, appreciated the bishops for their care and concern to the Ezinato Catholic Community.
They lamented the resurgence of idolatry among young people in the area, urging them to have a rethink and embrace Christ.
While congratulating their priest, Fr Ibeazor, whom they described as a shining light and a godsend for the Ezinator Catholic Community, they wished him more anointing and longevity, pledging total support to his ministry.
Also speaking to Fides, Fr Ibeazor whose joy was visibly overwhelming, thanked the bishops, the parishioners, his friends and well-wishers, for identifying with him and his Church in her moment of joy.
The cleric, who affirmed that he singlehandedly built the magnificent Father’s House, noted with satisfaction that the edifice was his 40th Birthday gift offering to the Lord and prayed Him to accept it.
Thanksgivings, testimonies by individuals who had received extraordinary blessings at the Number One Adoration Ground, welcome song by children, traditional dance, among others, added glamour to the event, which climaxed with fundraising for the completion of the church building.
