… Confirms 120 Faithful in the Faith, Extols Parishioners for good Collabo
It was all joy and celebration, Sunday, 20 October 2024 as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, made his official pastoral visit to St Michael’s Parish, Neni, after over seven years of his last visit on 13th August 2017. He confirmed 120 qualified faithful in the faith, while extolling the good collaboration of the parishioners with their Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Martin Anusi, reports Fr. Robert Anagboso.
The grand event which began with a concelebrated Pontifical Holy Mass led by the Bishop himself, had in attendance, other priests, including the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Martin Anusi. Others were the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi; the Dean Neni Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Henry Ezeobi; the Director Fides Media and immediate past Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Neni, Rev. Fr. Dr. Robert Anagboso; together with his immediate predecessor, Very Rev. Fr. Ignatius Ukoh, and a host of other indigenous and visiting priests.
Delivering his catechetical homily, Bishop Ezeokafor disclosed to the joyous congregation that the day was packed with spiritual and corporeal celebrations and messages which included listening to the message of the Mother Church as contained in the celebration of the liturgy of the day, the celebration of the World Mission Sunday, the Bishop’s Pastoral Visit, administering the Sacrament of Confirmation on the 120 young qualified faithful and giving of Episcopal Blessings for the pastoral visit on the people of God in the parish.
Reflecting on the liturgy of the 29th Sunday in ordinary time of the Church, Year B, Bishop Ezeokafor dwelt on the gospel reading of Luke Chapter 12:1-7, and highlighted service as the essence of the Christian Faith.
‘We must imitate Christ who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many,’ he exhorted, while maintaining that Christians must not seek to be at the helm of affairs, not just for what they stood to gain, but must be ready to work and bear their crosses therein from which the benefits and rewards would come.
‘We are called to work in the Lord’s vineyard according to everyone’s state in life through which the will of God is fulfilled on earth because no cross, no crown,’ the prelate admonished.
Going further in his homily, the amiable Bishop informed the congregation that ‘It is by God’s grace that we have a lot of blessings and celebrations today, being 20th of October 2024, because on this day, all over the Catholic world, we celebrate the Mission Sunday.’
Reflecting briefly on the History and purpose of the Mission Sunday in the Catholic World, the prelate said the Mission Sunday was created by Pope Pius XI in 1926 as the day of prayer for missions.
Re-echoing Pope Francis’ theme and message of this year’s 98th Edition; “Go and invite everyone to the banquet” (Cf. Mtt. 22:9), the Catholic Prelate of Awka reminded the faithful that ‘We are all missionaries; clergy and lay faithful alike, we have been called to be evangelizers in our various categories.
The injunction to invite everyone into the Kingdom of God is given to everyone by Christ. We must therefore, not only pray for the Missions but also support the physical operations with our material donations.’
He therefore called on all and sundry to donate generously even as he said the donations would go to Rome for onward disbursement by the Mother Church to places of interest, according to needs. These places include Nigeria and Awka Diocese particular.
On the essence of his pastoral visit, the Diocesan Bishop maintained that it was an ecclesiastical responsibility of the Bishop to visit his flock once every two or three years to stay awhile with the faithful, interact with them, celebrate the Holy Mass for them, confirm qualified faithful in the faith and bless the people.
For the part of the faithful, the Bishop added that the pastoral visit also afforded the parishioners the opportunity to receive the Bishop in their parish and support his diocesan work with material gifts, while asking for his Episcopal blessings.
In the case of St Michael’s Parish, Neni, Bishop Ezeokafor recalled that his last visit to the parish was on 13th August 2017, over 7 years ago, noting that it was therefore long overdue for a pastoral visit.
Sharing the outcome of his interaction with the faithful which took place the previous evening, the Chief Shepherd of Awka expressed his joy, noting that the parishioners of St Michael the Archangel, Neni spoke very highly of their Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Martin Anusi.
‘It was a thing of joy for me to know that you are on good terms with your Parish Priest. I think your parish has a good habit of welcoming, understanding and supporting your Parish Priests; starting with Fr. Raymond Ajuba, Fr. Ignatius Ukoh, Fr. Robert Anagboso, and now, Fr. Martin Anusi,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
He profoundly thanked the parishioners of St Michael’s for their wonderful contributions to the growth of the parish, even as he urged them to remember to support equally the Mother of all Parishes, which is the Diocese.
Bishop Ezeokafor also noted the special contributions of some of the parishioners who include Chief Simeon Eyisi (SIMS), who donated 7.5 kva solar power facilities, championed the scientific upgrading of the parish parochial primary school; Special Primary School Eziaja, Neni, awarding scholarship to indigent pupils and giving financial assistance to needy parishioners.
The Bishop equally thanked Chief Vincent Umeh who donated electronic equipment for youth development and parish security. Dr Emeka Anago saw to the provision of parish monthly bulletin for one year (Feb 2024 – Jan 2025). Recognized also, was Sir Chike Brendan Ukomadu for his special financial assistance to the parish, as well as subsidizing the parish bulletin.
The prelate equally thanked Chief Philip Ndubuisi Umeh (SAN) who is the 1st Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, for his expertise and financial contribution to the parish and wonderful collaboration with the Parish Priest.
Chief Sir Augustine Ibeme was recognized for installing solar lights around the parish; while Mr Arinze Akonobi made a donation of multimedia mobile public address system, while Lady Oby Justina Eyisi, Chief Paul Onwugbene (Akaekpuchionwa) and Mr Chukwudubem Mbamelu contributed to the Altar Servers new wears.
As the Holy Mass progressed, Bishop Ezeokafor examined the young candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation, and to the admiration of the congregation, the candidates gave a very good account of themselves; prompting the bishop to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on the 120 young boys and girls in the faith of the Catholic Church as soldiers of Christ and defenders of the Catholic Faith and doctrine.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Fr. Martin Anusi, welcomed and thanked all and sundry, especially the priests, for taking out time from their tight schedule to be present. He equally thanked his parishioners for what he described as the wonderful cooperation and support they gave him. In a special way, he thanked the youth for responding hugely to the various youth initiative activities which were geared towards comprehensive development spiritually and corporeally.
In the same vein Fr Anusi recognized the invaluable contributions of the members of the Parish Pastoral Council, the leadership of the Catholic Women’s Organization (CWO); Catholic Men’s Organization (CMO), and all the various pious associations who, he said, worked silently behind the scenes for the good of the entire parish.
At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, the Parish Priest invited everyone to the arena for the reception of Bishop Ezeokafor. In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Chinedu Umeh (Alupuoaku) thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his pastoral visit, noting that it was necessary as it helped to strengthen the faith of the people, especially those who committed themselves to the growth of the parish.
He said it was an encouragement for them to see that their efforts and sacrifices were not in vain.
The Bishop was entertained with a welcome song by the children of Holy Childhood Association who thrilled all with their innocent display of serious commitment to the things of God as they sang the welcome song.
Delivering the address of welcome, the Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs Adaku Egbosiuba, narrated to the Bishop the brief History of the parish’s growth and achievements since his last visit seven years ago, which included upgrading of the parish primary school with computer based education by Chief Simeon Eyisi (SIMS); installing solar light and security systems in and around the parish and rectory; intense effort and youth evangelization; intentional effort on good accountability and transparency in the running of the parish and a lot of other good developments. At the end of the address, the parish presented Bishop Ezeokafor with cash and material gifts in support of his diocesan work and projects.
Responding to the address, Bishop Ezeokafor thanked the entire parishioners of St Michael’s, Neni for their kind gestures and good faith. He appreciated the gift given to him for the work in the diocese. He encouraged all not to relent in effort to build up the Church in Eziaja, Neni.
Responding to the request to down grade the parish based on the fact that it had become a-one-village parish, and the burden was becoming too much, the Bishop promised to take their plea to the diocesan committee saddled with the responsibility.
In a concluding vote of thanks, the 1st Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Chief Ndubuisi Umeh (SAN) thanked the Bishop for the quality of priests he sent to St Michael’s, Neni. He recalled that the parish almost carried placards to protest the transfer of the immediate past Parish Priest, Fr. Anagboso, but that Fr. Anagboso assured them that his successor was even mightier than he was. Umeh said that today it appeared that that statement was true.
‘So my lord, we thank you and we ask you to continue to send us priests like these,’ he said, while equally thanking the committee that organized the pastoral visit for their sacrifices. He also thanked every member of the parish for making the day a successful and joyous one.
The Bishop prayed and blessed the people and the occasion was brought to end with more displays by dance troupes.
