Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mercy Hill
It was a colourful celebration at Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu, on Sunday 18 July 2021, as the Agulu Catholic community, Anaocha LGA, in Anambra State, marked a thanksgiving Mass in reception of a newly ordained priest, Rev Fr Obinna Clement Igwegbe, and nine other indigenous priests and religious who clocked twenty-five years in their vocations.
The priests who clocked twenty-five years were: Rev Fr Lawrence Maduagwu; Rev Fr
Charles Ugochukwu; Rev Fr Felix Okeke; Rev Fr Raymond Ajuba; Rev Fr Samuel Aniekwe; and Rev Fr Patrick Chidi Ifewulu; while the Religious were: Rev Sr Theresa Anikwata; Sr Ave Maria Ibekwe; and Sr Mariette Chidumebi.
The celebration which began with a holy mass was presided over by Fr Igwegbe, and was attended by priests, male and female religious,, Knights, parishioners, friends and well-wishers.
In his homily during the Mass, Rev Fr Peter Ndianefo, urged the people to begin the work of God from their own household, noting that charity begins at home. He ople failed in the duty of putting their homes together by teaching their household the ways of the Lord.
explained that most people failed in the duty of putting their homes together by teaching their household the ways of the Lord.
He charged the congregation to desist from unnecessary criticisms against the ordained, reminding them of the need to always pray for priests to enable them to excel in their ministry.
In his remarks, during the reception, the chairman of the occasion, said that silver jubilee was a landmark, and commended the newly ordained priest for choosing the priestly vocation in service to God and humanity.
In an address of welcome
presented by the Agulu Central Pastoral Council, the community welcomed everyone who had attended the event and then wished the newly ordained and the silver jubilarians more fruitful years in their various apostolates.
In his vote of thanks, the newly ordained, Rev Fr Igwegbe, noted the peculiarity of his journey to priesthood, adding that at the end it was “because God said yes, and I followed”. He thanked all who had made the day a success and prayed for his benefactors throughout his seminary days.
For his part, the parish priest and Dean of Agulu Deanary, Rev ittee and the Agulu Central Pastoral Council, who have ensured that there was a successful reception and celebration of priests and religious in the community. He prayed that God will empower his priests to be consistent in their service to God and humanity.
Fr Joel Okechukwu, appreciated all the priests present, the organizers of the event, the celebrants, the Ordination Committee and the Agulu Central Pastoral Council, who have ensured that there was a successful reception and celebration of priests and religious in the community. He prayed that God will empower his priests to be consistent in their service to God and humanity.
High points of the event was the cutting of event cake and the presentation of a car gift to the newly ordained priest by Agulu Catholic Community.