By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
It was awards presentation galore at Old Saints Parish, Awgbu, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor presented different awards, Certificates of Recognitions and 50KG bag of rice each to the 30 persons who interacted closely with him when he was the Parish Priest of the Old All Saints Parish, Awgbu.
These recipients and beneficiaries were honoured during the Civil reception of the Bishop Ezeokafor shortly after the Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration.
It was the major highlight of the reception. Among those who received the awards were; the 27 candidates of the first group baptized by the then Fr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, first couple Fr. Paulinus Ezeokafor officiated their wedding, the oldest man and woman who held the faith from then till now.
Appreciating them, Bishop Ezeokafor expressed gratitude to God for gift of life and for sustaining the awardees till date, even as he thanked them for keeping and living the faith.
It would be recalled that All Saints Parish, Awgbu, was Bishop Ezeokafor’s first place of primary assignment shortly after his ordination 30th June, 1984 and that the major event (40th Anniversary) will take place around November 16 this year.
Delivering a homily during a concelebrated Pontifical Holy Mass, Bishop Ezeokafor remembered with nostalgia, how he toiled and created bush paths in the then Old All Saints Parish, Awgbu, noting that the experiences he garnered serving as a Vicar and later as a Parish Priest, shaped his life’s journey.
He said that he would not forget Awgbu Community in a hurry, adding that he worked hard trying to create an indelible impact in the area. The Old All saints Parish, Awgbu was made of 8 Parishes namely; All Saint, Awgbu, St. Patrick’s Awgbu, St. Mary’s Awgbu, St. Theresa’s Awgbu, St. Joseph’s Awgbu, St. Pius X, Okpeze, St. Paul Station, Amaetiti and St. Peter’s Station, Aronota.
The charismatic and influential Prelate harped on serving God in truth and in the spirit, saying that no matter what one thought of oneself, one should spare a thought for God and humanity, pointing out that without the presence of God in one’s life, the person would surely end up unfulfilled man.
The Local Ordinary thanked the people of Awgbu for the warm reception and recognition, describing them as hospitable and loving individuals, urging them to continue to promote, defend and support the Church in her bid to make the earth a better living place, as well as gaining more souls for God. He urged all to take the heavenly race seriously.
‘I am highly elated seeing myself here once again, hale and hearty. I am happy that I’m here where it all started. When I came, I was around the 70th person ordained a priest and just recently, before the creation of Ekwuluobia Diocese, we were about over 600 ordained Catholic priests. What that shows is that the future is so bright and promising,’ bishop Ezeokafor stated.
In an interview, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, described Bishop Ezeokafor as a humble, selfless, diligent, compassionate and sincere priest of God, emphasizing that the work of the cleric in All Saints Catholic, Awgbu cannot be overstated. He said that he was of a very tender age when the Bishop came to serve in his community.
‘I can remember vividly, how and when the Bishop arrived All Saints Catholic Church, Awgbu. I was very little then. I was baptized in the parish and did many things here before leaving the community. He is simply a true man of God. He is loved by virtually by all Awgbu indigenes. His humility should be studied.
I marvel at his kind disposition and tranquil nature. I am happy he is here today, to begin the Celebration of his 40th Priestly Anniversary. I congratulate him. 40 years as a priest is not a mean feat. It is a great achievement worthy of celebration. He has come a long way and deserves to be celebrated,’ Ezeajughi declared.
Appreciating all those who came to felicitate Bishop Ezeokafor, the Dean of Awgbu deanery Reverend Father Jonas Unegbu, said the story of the Bishop’s life as a priest could not be told in a hurry, noting that his work as a shepherd of God’s sheep were in all the places he served; even as he described him as a pathfinder and a go-getter.
Fr Unegbu said he had confirmed all that he was told about the impact made by Bishop Ezeokafor as a Vicar and later as a Parish Priest. In the same vein, the current Parish Priest of all Saints Awgbu, Rev. Fr. Hyacnth Okafor eloquently thanked the Bishop for his highly inspiring visit to the Parish even as he remarked that it was thanks to him that the Parish is fluorishing in Faith and zeal.
After the Mass, came the Civil reception of the Bishop. the major highlight of the reception was the presentation of awards to about 30 persons who interacted closely with them Rev. Fr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor when he was working at the Old All Saints Parish, Awgbu as Parish Priest.
Among those who received the awards were; the 27 candidates of the first group baptized by the then Fr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, first couple Fr. Paulinus Ezeokafor officiated their wedding, the oldest man and woman who held the faith from then till now. All of these received a certificate of recognition and a 50kg bag of rice.
Group photographs, reception, eulogies, presentation of gifts to the Bishop cutting of 40th Priestly Anniversary Celebration cake, formed the other highlights of the event.