St Mary's Parish Nnewi Celebrates 10th Anniversary, 30th Priestly Anniversary Of Fr Prof Obinwa

It was a memorable day for the parishioners of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Abubor Nnewichi Nnewi as they celebrated their 10th year anniversary of the parish, 30th Priestly celebration of Very Rev Fr Prof Ignatius Obinwa, award giving ceremony and confirmation of 199 candidates by His Lordship, Most Rev Dr Hilary Okeke on Sunday, December 4, 2016.
The ceremony was prefaced with a Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Okeke and concelebrated by many priests.
In his homily, Bishop Okeke called on all Christians to true repentance. “Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Such fruits must be evident in our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
He noted that repentance is turning away from evil and turning towards God. “We closed the door of Mercy and opened the Heart of Mercy. Christians should be accountable, committed and be faithful in whatever they are doing. They should never behave like the people in the world.”
Referring to Fr Prof Ignatius Obinwa on the 30th Priestly anniversary, Bishop Okeke said: “Your fidelity is known by all especially your fatherly care as a priest. You do all things for the salvation of souls.”
To the confirmed candidates, the Prelate reminded them that the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation will help them to be soldiers of God.
In a vote of thanks, Fr Ephraim Madu, parish priest of St Mary's Nnewi lauded Bishop Okeke, priests, religious and his parishioners for their support in making the triple celebrations a success.
An address of welcome presented to Bishop Okeke and Fr. Obinwa by Chukwuka Okafor, Secretary of Parish Council and signed by Emma Chukwujekwu, Vice Chairman and Rev. Fr. Ephraim Madu, Parish Priest commended the pioneer parish priest, Rev. Fr Christopher Ezeimo who encouraged them as a new parish to face the challenges ahead.
“Fr Ezeimo completed the fathers rectory and came back from Bishop's house where he has been running the parish as the parish priest”, he added.
He thanked the parish priest, Fr. Ephraim Madu (Ojinwayo) and the priests working with him. “Through their pastoral care, the number of children being baptized every month, those coming for weekly sacrament of reconciliation is on increase. One may not believe that in this tenth anniversary, that a parish without a parish house has now, a two storey building as the fathers house, the best chapel of Adoration in the Diocese, two and half plots of land behind the parish house, one of the biggest parish hall that is about to be completed.”
He congratulated the first priest from Nnewichi, Fr Prof Obinwa who celebrated his 30th years of priestly ordination as his light has shone so brightly that many priests have followed his good legacies.