Fides Media Living the Faith
. As bishop Ezeokafor Blesses Parish’s Major Projects
… Strengthens 209 Parishioners in faith
By Daruwana Daku
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, last Sunday, paid a pastoral visit to St Theresa’s Catholic Parish, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Bishop’s visit, which ushered in the parish’s silver jubilee, was attended by former priests of the parish, as well as indigenous priests of same parish who expressed joy at seeing the growth recorded by the parish which was created in 1995 by the late Bishop Simon Okafor.
Receiving his lordship during the episcopal Mass was the parish priest, Rev Fr Jude Uba, who thanked God on how he had guided the parish over the last 25 years; while welcoming Bishop Ezeokafor to the parish. His visit, according to him, was appreciated by the parish council, parishioners and religious, most of whom, he said, were serving in the parish and were indigenes.
Bishop Ezeokafor who in his homily emphasized the significance of his visit to the parish, shared in the joy of the parish over their level of growth as seen in the expansion of the lay faithful, projects and in the compliance of the parish’s obligations to the diocese.
The bishop’s pastoral visit, among many activities, was to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on 209 catechumens of the parish, and bless the ultra-modern grotto built by the family of Mr and Mrs Ayika.
The foundation laying of an ongoing science block building by Sir Tony Okeke for the parish school, commissioning of the Catholic Women’s Organization, CWO, Hall and blessing of classroom blocks, also formed part of the bishop’s activities.
While reflecting on the gospel readings from the gospel of Luke 1:39-45, the prelate charged parishioners not to relent in their efforts to grow the parish, even as they clocked 25.
The Catholic prelate also cautioned the congregation not to live in the world of heretic teachings, most of who believed the teachings and doctrine of the Church were not found in the Bible. The prelate who referenced his homily from the gospel maintained that the church’s prayers and teachings were also carved from the Bible.
The flip side of the event saw a grand breaking reception that was organized shortly after the episcopal Mass and blessing of the parish’s projects by the bishop.
The reception had presentation of Diamond and Siler Jubilee awards to deserving parishioners that had been supportive to the parish over the years.
Among the diamond recipients was Lady Doris Nwankwo, who the parish distinguished alongside her late husband, Dr Dan, for their role in the growth of the parish. She said the award would spur the family in doing more for the parish.
The awardee who explained the award was consequent upon the contributions of the husband, said the family was keeping up with the pace, even as one of his sons was been groomed to continue in the line of her late husband.
Fides gathered that St. Theresa’s Parish started as an outstation of St. Anthony’s Parish, Enugwu-Ukwu. The outstation which started at one of the parishioner’s compound had Rev. Fr Ignatius Chukwuma Ezeakacha as pioneer parish priest and had today become a parish of great repute with many great edifices to reckon with. It also houses St. Theresa’s Prestigious International Secondary School.
Highlights of the events were cutting of the silver jubilee cake, cultural dances and a stage display by the Egedege crooner, Theresa Onourah .