… Launches History Book
Sunday November 2, 2024 will remain ever green in the minds of the parishioners of Christ the King Parish (CKP) Adazi-Nnukwu and in the annals of the parish itself as the entire Adazi-Nnukwu Catholic Community and beyond joined in the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Christ the King Parish (CKP) Adazi-Nnukwu, 25years after its creation as a substantive parish.
Reports Fr. Robert Anagboso
The occasion which is one of its kinds in the recent memories of Adazi-Nnukwu Town as a whole took place at the parish premises of CKP, Adazi-Nnukwu commencing with a well-attended Holy Mass of thanksgiving chaired by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, His Excellency Most Rev. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor.
Introducing the Mass, the prelate of Awka diocese Bishop Ezeokafor thanked God for the grace of the occasion. He equally thanked parishioners of the CKP and the parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Fabian Bielu for their doggedness in continuing with the work of their predecessors to the present fulfilling state. He recognized the presence of several priests and religious including vicar general of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Akaenyi Chudi Peter.
The bishop specially recognized and lauded the contributions of the past parish priests including the 1st Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Sabastine Anokwulu (now of Ekwulobia Diocese), his immediate successor, Very Rev. Msgr. B.C.B Muojekwu (aka Mmuo) also now of Ekwulobia Diocese; and the 4th Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Onuorah currently the shepherd of St Michael’s Akwaeze. Other priests included the Parish Priest of the Mother Parish St Andrew’s, Adazi-Nnukwu, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Anike who also doubles as the Episcopal vicar Adazi Region. There was also his counterpart, Very Rev. Fr. Ireneaus Okonkwo of St Joseph’s Adazi Nnukwu.
The silver jubilee celebration was marked with blessing of about 15 elderly parishioners who have attained the age of 75 years and above, including also the launching of a history book of the parish CKP. Explaining the significance of the entire celebration, bishop Ezeokafor maintained that it was a thing of joy to always celebrate befitting living instead of befitting burial.
In his characteristic manner, the prelate of Awka diocese insisted that ‘it is always necessary to celebrate the present, especially when the people who are being celebrated are still alive.’ He then rhetorically asked, ‘how many people will be here in the next 25 years when this parish will be 50 years? It is not certain that anyone who has reached 75 years today will be there in good health of mind and body in next 25 years for a celebration like this’.
Bishop Ezeokafor maintained that ‘the silver jubilee is a great day in the life of this parish. Every parishioner should be here. It is the moment to evaluate the past and the present in order to project the future. It is a thing of joy’. At the same time he thanked all who helped in every way to see that CKP began and grew to the level it is now.
He remembered and prayed for the dead of the parish that God, especially in this month of November, would grant them eternal rest. He urged the living to continue to work assiduously for the good of the parish and everyone. ‘Do not get tired of working’ the bishop admonished. ‘Don’t say that it is a long time I have been working; because it is long time God has also been giving you the enablement. So don’t relent until death.’ He concluded.
At the same time Bishop Ezeokafor lauded the writing of the history of the parish. ‘History is life. He who does not history is lost. So I thank those who took the imitative,’ remarked the prelate.
Saying so, he urge everyone to take at least a copy for his or her family; and if you think that certain things were not well represented, then when the occasion calls for another opportunity, try and correct the errors, that’s why history is life’ conclude Bishop Ezeokafor.
In the same vein, the bishop thanked Fr. Bielu for marking the celebration with the blessing of the septuagenarians and octogenarians and presentation of awards to parishioners, who have done exceptionally well in building up the parish these past years. He added that ‘this gesture is one of the essences of God’s love as was commanded in the gospel of the liturgy of today being 31st Sunday of the year in ordinary time’. ‘
The commandment of love is the highest commandment’ enjoined the prelate, ‘it is in loving our neighbor unconditionally that we love God. 1st John 2:4 is very clear, how can you say you love God whom you do not see, and then hate your neighbor whom you are seeing everyday’ queried the bishop.
For his part, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Fabian Bielu, expressed satisfaction and joy in the Church’s 25 years journey of physical and spiritual growth. For him, the Church had done well from her dedication and to the visible structures it had gathered for herself. He expressed optimism in the growth of the Church, especially on spiritual terms, which in the last 25 years had produced proactive Christians and increased the growth of the Christian community in Adazi-Nnukwu.
While awards of recognition were given to parishioners who had contributed to the growth of the Church, both financially and morally, the parish presented posthumous awards to staunch contributors of the chosen whose support were palpable in the Church’s existence. The awards were split in Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. There were also medal presentations to members who had shown voluntary and selfless service to the Church.
Among the awardees were; Chief Engr. John Archie (Platinum); Mr Anthony Nwankwo (Gold); HRH, the late. Prof. Augustine Obiekezie (Silver); and Mrs. IfeomaAnaekwenagbu (Bronze). The medalists for selfless service to the Church included; Mrs. Justina Anaedum and the late. Raphael Ezeagu.
Part of activities of the Silver Jubilee Celebration was the launch of the Parish’s History Book. The chairman of the occasion, Chief Engr. Theodore Ezekwe, attested that the history book was a far reaching chronological collection of the parish’s annals. However, while he admitted that the book might not contain all that were in the parish, he assured that the book, which is in its first edition, would always be reviewed as time progressed.
The book received a glowing acceptance by the Bishop of the diocese and parishioners alike. Taking the lead in the launch, the Chief Launcher, Engr. Izuchukwu Ibeneme, expressed satisfaction with the print and design of the book, while appealing to parishioners to support the production and also avail themselves copies to read.
Other highlights of the event included the decorating the 15 septuagenarians and octogenarians   of the parish with medals and cultural displays.
Additional reports by Daruwana Daku and Emmanuel Chigozie
