Fides Media Living the Faith
…As Bishop Ezeokafor Blesses Mount Carmel Outstation of St. Patrick’s Parish, Agulu
By Chioma Ndife
The Children of the late Chief Albert Anyanwo have built an edifice for God’s worship at Mount Carmel Outstation of St. Patrick’s Parish, Agulu, in immortalization of their late dad.
Fides gathered that the late Chief Albert Anyanwo of Okpu Village, Agulu, who died in 2016, was a committed member of the Catholic Church and was well known by all and sundry for his deeds of charity towards people. It was also learnt that the structure for the Mount Carmel Outstation singlehandedly built by the family of the late Anyanwo replaced the old dilapidated building that served as the community beginners’ school.
The edifice was blessed by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, at a forum for appreciation to the family of the late Chief Anyanwo put together by Okpu Catholic Community of St. Patrick’s Parish, Agulu.
Blessing the edifice, Bishop Ezeokafor thanked the family for erecting the structure and expressed optimism that it would solve the accommodation difficulties faced at the parish outstation. He beckoned on the Catholic Community of Okpu-Agulu to ensure effective maintenance of the donated structure through proper utilization.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese called on members of the Catholic Community to assist in procuring items needed for mass celebration at the outstation, saying that their collective contributions would ease the stress of moving sacred vestments among others, daily for Mass celebrations.
Speaking at the occasion, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Parish, Agulu, Rev. Fr. Romanus Okogwu, said the outstation’s structure was erected in celebration of the 5 years anniversary of the death of Chief Anyanwo.
He said that the construction of the edifice would help in the propagation of the Catholic faith within the Okpu Community as they would begin the celebration of daily Masses.
Adding his voice, the chairman of the occasion, a visibly overjoyed Pharm. Anthony Okoye, said the place of worship built by the family of Anyanwo exemplified a sense of sacrifice and maintained that such should be emulated by all.
Pharm. Okoye who undertook to interlock the compound, said the execution of the interlock project was to advance the development of the outstation and obtain the blessings acruing from cultivating in God’s vineyard, saying that his family loved progress and partook in any progressive venture.
Contributing, the chairman of Okpu Catholic Community, Mr. Kenneth Okpuchi, appreciated the Anyanwo family and explained that the edifice would help to sustain the legacies left by the deceased as generations to come would meet the structure and query why the structure was named after him.
Speaking on the motive behind the execution of the project, Mr. Jude Anyanwo said the family took up the building of the outstation in line with what their father would do if he was still alive. He said the structure would be in remembrance of their father.
He beckoned on people, especially the well-to-do individuals, to bear in mind that their money and life were God’s gifts, saying that they should be utilized in service to God and humanity.
For his part, the second son, Engr. Amaechi Anyanwo, said that their father’s life style was what motivated them to embark on the project as the family hoped that the edifice would keep their father’s name going.
He disclosed that his father, before his death, was an active member in the church and would be happy that such a project was constructed in his name by his family. He said that the family felt fulfilled and expressed their readiness to carry out other projects in line with stepping into their father’s legacies.
Highpoints of the celebration were the presentation of a cow to the family of the late Chief Anyanwo, appreciation of zonal leaders and other dedicated church members.
The Anyanwo family, in the spirit of celebration, brought out the cow to be feasted upon by the Catholic Community of Okpu.