It was like a home coming for the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, as the entire Catholic faithful of Owerre Ezekala, Orumba South L.G.A, turned out en masse to herald the arrival of the bishop who was on his second pastoral visit to the Community.
The action packed event which started with con-celebrated Eucharistic Holy Mass, presided over by the bishop had people from all walks of life in attendance, notable among whom were the Chancellor of the Diocese, very Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Chidi Akaenyi; the secretary to the bishop, Very Rev. Fr. Dr Lawrence Nwankwo; the Dean of Umunze Deanary. Rev, Fr. Dr Boniface Obiekezie and Fides communication, Okpuno, deputy Director 1, very Rev. Fr. Dr Matthew Attansey (who laid the foundation of the Church building).
Others were the 13 indigenous Priests and 12 Indigenous Reverend Sisters Namely. Rev. Fr. Aaron Ejikemeuwa Ekwu; Rev. Fr. Theodore. Ilo; Rev. Fr. Patrick Okeke; Rev. Fr. Kenneth Nwabuike; Rev Fr. Chigozie Jidere; Rev. Fr. Evaristus Ekwem; Rev. Fr. Malachy Ibeh. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ukoh; Rev. Fr. Kinsley Madu; Rev. Fr. Theodore Ekwem; Rev. Fr. Ifeanyi Uzoigwe.
In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor, while on his visit blessed and commissioned the multimillion Naira jubilee hall and also administered the sacrament of confirmation on 61 deserving
Catholic faithful, called on Christians to continue to preach the word of God saying that by so doing many souls would be converted and as well charged them to practice what they preached.
The prelate who drew his sermon of the day from the Holy Gospel according to Mathew (13:1- 23) said Jesus life on earth was all about preaching the Gospel and enjoined Christians to preach the Good news to the people without cease.
In an interview, the parish priest of St. Patrick’s Parish, Owerre Ezukala Rev. Fr. Nick Okekeocha thanked the bishop for his fatherly love and expressed satisfaction over the cordial relationship between the Church and community and prayed God to continue to shower his blessings and understanding upon the Bishop who he described as a good listener and a versatile leader.
Rev. Fr. Okekeocha while thanking the bishop singled out very R. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo (Bishop's secretary), for special praise. He noted that as at the last count, the Church which started with few members in 1924 was today a great center for worshipping God.
Planting of jubilee tree, cutting of jubilee cake, cultural dance, presentation of silver jubilee award, presentation of gifts and Choir rendition formed high points of the occasion.
