BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
On Sunday 19/10/2014, was the day the priest, vicars, priest-in-residence,religious and entire lay faithful of Umunze Deanery turned out en-masse to have a glimpse of the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor who came to celebrate with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on their Golden Jubilee anniversary (1964-2014).
In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor who took his sermon of the day from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (22:15-21) charged Christians to live above board and to eshew all manner of hypocrisy, idolatry, sycophancy, buck biting, greed noting that if the ugly trend remained unchecked it would definitely boomerang on them.
He exhorted Christians imbibe the spirit of beatitudes, love, respect patience saying that as a Christians they are expected to live an exemplary life and always toe the path of honour and dignity. Bishop Ezeokafor expressed displeasure over lackadaisical attitude of some Christians towards God and His subjects and called for immediate change of direction even as he wondered why a Christian would not adhere strictly to God’s instruction by keeping the Sabbath day holy.
He regretted that some Christians after working from Monday to Saturday would still want to use only day supposedly reserved for God which is Sunday to engage in an unholy act noting that some even work from Monday to Sunday without recourse to God.
Bishop Ezeokafor while carrying out his pastoral functions administered the sacrament of confirmation on 205 deserving Catholic faithful, blessed multi million naira multipurpose hall and also a Grotto donated by Chief Austine Okoli (Mayor).
The rapturous event which started with con-celebrated Eucharist Holy Mass had in attendance men and women of goodwill notable among whom were the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Francis Chidume; the Dean Umunze Deanary, Very Rev. (Dr.) Boniface Obikezie; Parish Vicar, Rev. Fr. Ejike I. Nwankwo; Rev. Fr. E. Idika; Rev. Fr. Igwegbe; Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Michael Anozie; Cathedral financial administration Rev. Fr. Francis Oranye, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Nwankwo.
Others were Chief Ike Humphrey S. (1st Vice Chairman Parish Pastoral Council); Bro. Agbache O. Gabriel (chairman Golden Jubilee Organizing Committee); Chief Ephraim O. Eze (Ezeugo Umunze); Austine Okoli (KSJ) Esq. JP. (Mayor), Nze Solomon Amaechina (Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council and Secretary, Golden Jubilee Organizing Committee); Mr. Godwin Ezeemo,; Dr, Hygers Igwebuike; among others.
Earlier in a remark, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Mgbemena expressed gratitude to God Almighty for His Grace and to the Bishop who he described a loving and listening father even as he prayed God to continue to strengthened the Bishop. High points of the occasion was administration of the sacrament of confirmation on 205 deserving Catholic faithful, launching, award presentation, blessing of Grotto, St. Joseph’s Hall as well as cultural display from Nkpokiti cultural troupe.