…Commissions Rectory, Others at St Mary’s, Ebenebe Charges the Ebenebe Catholic Faithful to Remain Resolute in Race for Heaven
By Michael Nnebife
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has laid the foundation stone for a befitting ultra-modern Church of God at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, Ebenebe, in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The Catholic Bishop, who was on an pastoral visit to the Parish on Sunday, 20th April, also commissioned a magnificent rectory, a boy’s quarters and a Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the worship of God at St Mary’s Parish.
The Bishop expressed satisfaction with the pace of development at the six-year old parish, thanking the parishioners, especially the benefactors of the rectory and the Grotto, Sir Christian Ofonyelu, and Mr Chukwugozie Adu, respectively, for their various contributions to the development of the parish, urging other affluent individuals in the area to emulate Ofonyelu and Adu.
The Prelate advised the parishioners to remain resolute and steadfast in their faith and service to God, so as to make heaven.
While delivering a homily, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese said the parishioners were favoured for having the pastoral visit coincide with the Easter celebrations, urging them to allow the resurrection power of Jesus Christ to reflect on the way they lived their lives.
Responding, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Leo Mmadubuike, appreciated Bishop Ezeokafor for his fatherly care and love the He equally thank him for making pastoral visit a reality.
While speaking with Fides, the Parish Priest described the visit as unique, being the first of its kind in the History of the young parish and also affording the parishioners the opportunity to celebrate the year’s Easter with the Bishop.
He also expressed gratitude to the benefactors of the rectory and the Grotto, Sir Ofonyelu and Mr Chukwugozie, for their services to God in the parish, praying God to reward them with good health and longevity.
In his remarks during the second part of the epoch-making event, the Chairman of the occasion, Sir Fabian Chiarah, thanked God for a bright weather and Bishop Ezeokafor for visiting the parish despite his tight schedule.
In their address of welcome, read by a young girl of the parish, Ms Augustina Muosoanya, St Mary’s parishioners expressed gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor for his concern, while describing their Priest, Rev Fr Mmadubuike, as a rare gift to their parish.
They appealed to the Bishop to extend the tenure of the Parish Priest in their parish to enable them to continue to benefit more from the priest’s service which they described as satisfactory.
While bringing the challenges facing them to the notice of Bishop Ezeokafor, the parishioners further appealed to him to intervene on their behalf for government’s presence in areas of provision of basic amenities, especially, water, school, among others, at Umuogbuefi Ebenebe.
They also extended appreciation to their Parish Priest for his service, and the benefactors of the rectory and the Grotto, including all that contributed in one way or the other to the development of the parish.
Speaking with Fides, the benefactor of the magnificent St Mary’s Rectory, Sir Ofonyelu, said his benevolence to the Church of God was rooted in his earnest desire to establish an everlasting good relationship with God.
Also, Mr Adu, who singlehandedly built St Mary’s Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary, told Fides that the faithfulness of God, especially upon him, was enduring and never failed, urging Ebenebe youths to shun idol worship and neo-paganism.
Adu, who added that there were more values and blessings in worshipping God, pointed out that he built the Grotto to enable youths in the area to have a place of worshipping God to enable them paganism.
Present during the epoch-making event in which Bishop Ezeokafor administered the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation on 89 young Catholics of St Mary’s Parish, were his Secretary, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Dean of Ebenebe Deanery, Rev Fr Anthony Mbono; the Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe Community, Igwe Chris Nnaegbuna; the noble Knights and the Ladies of the Parish, among other prominent personalities in the community.
