By Mercy Hill
The entire Agulu Catholic Community on Sunday 21st July, 2019 gathered at Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu, to honour three illustrious sons as well as three indigenous daughters who clocked twenty-five years in their respective priestly and religious journeys.
Among those who were celebrated were Rev. Fr.Livinus Onyebuchi, MSP, a missionary priest and chaplain of Church of Holy Name in Dublin County; Rev. Fr. John Chidi Obasi, who is of Abakaliki Diocese has added so many academic feathers to his cap as well as being impactful in his priestly apostolate; Rev. Fr. Christopher Ezeh, working in the USA and who has carried on his pastoral duties with zeal. For the Women Religious, Rev Srs Mary Mmasichukwu Lota Ibeka, Luiginamaris Nonye Okoye and Martina Obi who individually had kept the flag flying in their missionary journeys.
In his homily during the mass, Rev. Fr. Martin Anusi, commended the jubilarians for their perseverance and consistence in carrying out the work of God. He further admonished Christians to imbibe obedience, faithfulness and endurance in whatever they found themselves doing in the house of God. He went on to recount stories of people in the bible who were obedient to God’s command and reaped the fruit thereof.
In his speech of welcome during the mass, the parish priest, Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu, Rev. Fr. Joel Okechukwu, welcomed and thanked the Catholic Community of Agulu for putting together such auspicious event for their indigenous Rev. Frs and Srs and thanked God for the grace bestowed upon the jubilarians to attain such age in the mission. He also prayed for them to continue faithfully in their various apostolates as servants and vessels of God.
Representing other Rev. Srs who were also celebrants, Srs Luiginamaris Okoye, thanked the Community for celebrating their silver jubilee in such a grand style, just as she appreciated God for sustaining them in health. She recalled that she almost lost her life in the month of March 2019, but God upheld her and she survived to be part of the celebration. Sr. Okoye appreciated in a special way, the parish priest of Madonna Assumpta, Agulu, Fr. Joel Okechukwu and Rev. Fr. Prof B.A.C Obiefuna for their encouragement and support throughout the years.
For his part, Fr Onyebuchi Livinus commended in a special way, Fr. Anusi for the words of exhortation during the mass, pointing out that the Agulu Community must desist from their fetish practices, differentiate tradition from idolatry and embrace true Christian living. He charged Christians to begin from their various homes to evangelise the world.
