…106 Candidates for were Confirmed
By Michael Nnebife, Amos Yakubu, Nonso Samson and Ebube Edieh
It was indeed a historic occasion for the Christian faithful at St Lawrence Chapel, Mass Center Awka, as they received the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, on a maiden pastoral visit to the chapel in its sixth year of inauguration.
According to the Bishop, the historic event, which took place on Good Shepherd Sunday, 21st April, 2024, and chaired by the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; assisted by Chief Emeka Eze as a Co-chairman, was supposed to come, when the chapel attains 10 years of age.
While speaking in a sermon, Bishop Ezeokafor charged St Lawrence Chapel’s congregation to emulate Jesus Christ by living their lives for the good of others and the salvation of souls around them.
The Bishop, who reminded the congregation that the day was Good Shepherd Sunday and day for vocations, said, ‘We all have vocations.
Whatever is your profession is your own calling. It’s in this calling you do your best for the good of others, for your own salvation and that of the souls around you.
‘From the readings of today, you can see that the Good Shepherd, Christ, we’re following, laid down His life for His flock by accepting the death on the cross in order to save mankind who had gone astray.
‘So we must live our lives not only for our own good and survival, but also for the survival and good of others,’ Most Rev Ezeokafor admonished.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Chapel, on the occasion, administered the Sacrament of confirmation on 106 communicants.
While anointing them, Bishop Ezeokafor prayed God to bless the young faithful with grace that would enable them to spread the gospel of Christ across the world.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese extolled what he described as the outstanding benevolent spirit of the benefactor of the Chapel, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, and her husband, Chief Lawrence Ekwunife.
He thanked them for their unwavering commitment to the service of God and prayed Him to continue to bless the senator and her husband.
In his remarks, the Chapel Administrator, Rev Fr Paulinus Okonkwo, thanked the Bishop for his fatherly care the Chapel enjoyed; Senator Uche Ekwunife and Chief Lawrence Ekwunife, for their service to God; and the guests for honouring the invitation of the Chapel despite their tight schedules.
In her own remarks, Senator Ekwunife was full of gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor for the visit; the former and current Administrators of the Chapel, Rev Fr Francis Oranye, and Rev Fr Okonkwo, respectively, for their services; as well as the parishioners especially Lady Anuli Mekoh for their contributions.
She thanked her husband in a special way for his unwavering support she enjoyed.
Ekwunife extended her appreciation to scores of her friends and supporters present at the event, especially Senator Ubah, for accepting to chair the occasion.
In his remarks during the second part of the occasion, the Chairman, Senator Ubah, commended Senator Ekwunife for prioritizing service to God wherever she found herself.
In their separate speeches, Ubah and his Co-chairman, Chief Eze, thanked Senator Ekwunife for giving them opportunity to be part of the August occasion.
Earlier in an address of welcome read by the Secretary, Planning Committee, Mr Ikechukwu Ilozor, the parishioners expressed appreciation to Bishop Ezeokafor for the visit; and Chief Lawrence Ekwunife, as well as Senator Uche Ekwunife, for their commitment to the Chapel.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Planning Committee, Prof Josephat O. Ogbuagu, thanked the guests and the entire St Lawrence Chapel’s parishioners for making out time to be part of the epoch-making event despite their tight schedule, and prayed God to safely guide them as they returned to their various homes.
Scores of priests, including the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Bishop’s Secretary, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; captains of industry; politicians, including the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate in the 2021 gubernatorial poll in Anambra State and now Labour Party aspirant, Hon Val Ozigbo, were present during the occasion.
