By Daruwana Daku and Ebube Edieh
It was a sobering moment, June 29, 2024, at St. Francis Parish, Umunebo, Enugwu-ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State as priests, religious and parishioners paid their last respect to Late Rev. Fr. Alphonsus-Mary Gusiora.
The funeral ceremony, which began with a Holy Mass that was presided over by the Episcopal Vicar of Adazi Region, Rev. Fr Anthony Anike, had Rev. Fr. Peter Val Uzoezie, the parish priests and the Enugwu-Ukwu priests, religious men and women family and friends in attendance.
While recounting the life and times of Fr Gusiora, the homilist, Rev. Fr. Jude Ozumba, noted his encounter with the deceased as a Cathecumen and how his personality was an inspiration to his priestly vocation.
Fr. Gusiora, according to the homilist, was a devoted missionary who had worked and made indelible records throughout his priestly life in Boston, USA, Puerto Rico, Awka and Nnewi, dioceses.
Adding that the late priest was a strong devotee of the Divine Mercy, Fr Ozumba noted that he was a man who was never afraid to talk of death; even as he was ever ready to celebrate and concelebrate Masses even in his ill health.
While making his remarks, the Parish Priest of St Francis, Enugwu-Ukwu, Rev Fr Peter Val Uzoezie, thanked all who had been a great support to the deceased in his sickbed and at the funeral, particularly appreciating the Catholic Bishops of Awka and Nnewi Dioceses, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor and Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, for their unflinching support towards the success of the funeral.
The funeral of Fr. Gusiora featured lying state at the church, oration and a condolence reception by the deceased family in the church premises.
Rev. Fr Alphonsus-Mary Gusiora who was of the Catholic Diocese of Ponce, Puerto Rico, was born on July 24, 1948 to the late Mr and Mrs Francis Gusiora.
Born to a Catholic home and a Catechist father, he began his priestly journey at age 17 in Abakaliki, present day Ebonyi State, and later finished at the Catholic Diocese of Awka, his home diocese
As death called him on May 30, 2024, he left many legacies.
