… Commissions Rectory, Others for Worship of God
By Michael Nnebife and Emmanuel Chigozie
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has officially inaugurated St Joseph the Worker Parish, Adazi-Nnukwu, in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The Catholic Bishop, during the event which took place on Sunday, July 6, also commissioned a magnificent Rectory, and officially laid the foundation stone of St Joseph the Worker’s Church building for service and worship of God in the area.
Performing the inauguration rituals, the Bishop committed the members of the Parish Pastoral Council of the Church to God, asking Him to uphold them always as they took up their responsibility to cooperate, work and develop the Church as a local community.
Earlier in a homily, Bishop Ezeokafor expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work in the magnificent Church building, thanking the parishioners and all the contributors, especially those that donated their land to the Church.
Emphasizing the need for cooperation among the parishioners with their priests, Bishop Ezeokafor admonished them to unite as one body in the service to God and the Church.
The Prelate, who reminded the parishioners that everybody was called to serve, but in different capacities, expressed optimism that their collective effort, when pooled, would bring about more progress and development of the Church.
While highlighting a number of issues affecting them, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese advised St Joseph the Worker’s Parishioners to obey the Anambra State Burial Law, which, he said, was made for the well-being of the common man in their midst.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who administered Sacrament of Confirmation to 72 candidates during the occasion, prayed God to use the occasion, which also involved his pastoral visit to the Church, to bless the parishioners, and grant them grace that would enable them to be good members of the Church and Adazi-Nnukwu Community.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Irenaeus Okonkwo, appreciated the Bishop for the inauguration and his blessings for the Church.
The Parish Priest also thanked the dignitaries, who included the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubisi; the Dean of Adazi Deanery, Rev Fr Sylvester Uchenna; among others, for finding out time to come to rejoice with St Joseph the Worker’s parishioners.
Briefing Fides shortly after a reception held to appreciate Bishop Ezeokafor by the parishioners, Fr Okonkwo expressed excitement, saying the inauguration which many expected to fail, finally came in what he described as an unimaginable huge success.
‘Some people thought and prayed that we would fail, but they were disappointed because God is on our side,’ he said, and prayed that the parishioners would be united in one love for the good of the Church.
In an address of welcome, read by the Secretary, Inauguration Committee, Mr Ikenna Azodoh, the parishioners continued to appreciate Bishop Ezeokafor for his love and blessings, pledging to unite as one body for the development of the new parish.
He said Bishop Ezeokafor’s pastoral visit reminded the parishioners of the principle of unity of the Church of God as one body, and expressed the resolve of the Parishioners to pool their diverse gifts as one, united purpose and vision for the good and development of their Parish.
‘Today, we also stand on the threshold of a new parish; this invites us all to deepen our faith journey,’ Mr Azodoh said.
He noted that the inauguration was not a seasonal celebration but the birth of many blessings that would nourish the parishioners as a community of faith in God.
Speaking with Fides, the Chairman, Inauguration Committee, Bro Romanus Ezeafocha, described the epoch-making event as a birth of new beginning for the Church and expressed the belief that the coming of Bishop Ezeokafor had sanctified St Joseph the Worker’s Church.
Ezeafocha told Fides that Ezeokafor had sowed a seed of peace in the Church, appreciating him for his words of encouragement to the parishioners.
Dance performances by the Church’s CWO Band added glamour, as well as a reception chaired by the Vice President General, Adazi-Nnukwu Community, Chief Ebunilo Obiora, to appreciate Bishop Ezeokafor.
