By Uche Enem
The newly appointed Veritas Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof Hyacinth Ichoku, has buried his elder sister, Rev. Sr. Mary Ichoku on 22nd September 2018 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Nawfia, Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, the home parish of the family.
The burial started with a concelebrated Mass with so many priests and religious in attendance. In his homily, Rev. Fr. Jude Mgbeobukwa eulogized the virtues of Sr. Mary as a personality builder and encouraged Christians to tap from such virtue. He recalled how Sr. Mary motivated Fr. Ichoku into becoming a priest and still remains his greatest motivator. The late Sr. Mary who died at the age of 82 was also eulogized of her other virtues of being simple, jovial, lively and lovely.
‘She is so simple and even took her sickness with all simplicity. During her sickness, she was surrounded by people who took care of her. Sr. Mary was a consensus builder and was loved because of her unique character’ Fr Mgbeobukwu added
In the same vein, Rev. Sr. Therese Okeke testified of the simplicity found in Sr. Ichoku. Sr. Okeke who spoke on behalf of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) sisters, called her death a very misfortune for the community because of her unique and wonderful personality. She thanked the priests who were present at the occasion and specially thanked all the Religious who stood thick and thin before and during the period of Sr. Mary’s sickness.
The parish priest of St. Anthony of Padua, Rev. Fr. Romanus Ezeizi, welcomed all who were present at the event including the priests and religious for their presence at the event.
In his vote of thanks, Fr. Ichoku, thanked God for life and health. He thanked the Priests, Religious, friends and well wishers at the event. He specially thanked Sr. Maria Ujuanuli Ojiakor, who was present at all time during the period of Sr Mary sickness till she passed on.
He thanked the Immaculate Heart of Mary congregation for their selfless service and humanitarian spirit to his sister.
