By Daruwana Daku and Ebube Edieh
The Catholic Community of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, had, last Sunday, converged at Madonna Assumpta Parish, the mother parish, to celebrate with the newly ordained priests who are from the Catholic Dioceses of Awka and Nnewi; as well as to celebrate the silver Jubilee of Rev. Fr Fabian Bielu; Rev. Sr. MaryJanefrances Ijeanuri (HFSN); and Rev. Sr. MaryStanley Ukamaka Okafor (DDL).
The event which was graced by indigenous priests and parishioners from the 8 parishes within the towns, began with a Holy Mass that was concelebrated by the newly ordained priests.
In his homily, Rev. Fr Fidelis Izuakor called on the people to continually pray for the priests and support their welfare as they were no business men who could be fending for themselves.
He cautioned the congregation against comparing Priests, stating that priests, whether fire brand prayer warriors or eloquent preachers of the word of God, had the same anointing.
The newly ordained priests; Rev. Frs. Samuel Chinemerem Nwankwor; Emmanuel Mmaduabuchi Nnebedum; Augustine Obi and Damian Chibueze, thanked God for their gift of life and their priestly journey. They called for the continuous support of the people for their vocation and blessed their families and the congregation who came out to share in their joy.
In the address of welcome presented by the Central Pastoral Council, Mr Chibuzo Cyprian Mary assured the people that the young priests, whom, he said, they all knew over time, were called by God to serve humanity. He expressed confidence that they would make meaningful impact in their respective places of pastoring.
For his part, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Michael Mary-Okafor, thanked God for the gift of the new priests and the silver Jubiliarians, stating that it was a good omen for the Agulu Catholic Community. He also applauded the efforts of the people who, in spite of the economic downturn still made it possible to fulfill their tradition of providing cars to the newly ordained priests.
As it is with the tradition of the town, four new Toyota Corolla cars were presented to the newly ordained priests by the Chairman of Agulu Central Pastoral Council Ordination Committee, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Nwanna, at the reception.
The event had cultural displays, presentation of cars and cutting of cake as the major highlights.
