By Regina Igwebuike
There was joy galore in Amawbia Town, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sept. 20, as the Catholic community, friends and well-wishers celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass of Rev. Fr. Martin Chukwunonso Okafor-odu, CMF, and the Silver Jubilee of Rev. Sr. Mary Renetta Oyego, DDL.
The priestly ordination and the Silver Jubilee profession were held simultaneously on September 19 in Owerri and Enugu respectively, while the joint thanksgiving was held in Amawbia.
Rev. Fr. Okafor-odu, a priest of the Claretian Missionaries, East Nigeria Province, was born to Mr. Emmanuel Nwabueze Okafor and Mrs. Theresa Nkiruka Okafor of Ngene village, Amawbia. Rev. Sr. Mary Renetta Oyego of the Daughters of Divine Love (DDL) Congregation, is the daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Okeke Oyego of Adabebe village, Amawbia.
With the ordination of Fr. Okafor-odu, the number of indigenous priests from Amawbia has risen to seven. To the glory of God, the first indigenous priest from the town, Rev. Fr. Jude Okafor-odu, an uncle to Fr. Martin, who was ordained in 1973, has answered the divine home call. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Speaking during the reception ceremony that followed the Mass, the Traditional Ruler of Amawbia, HRH Igwe Uche Sunday Okonkwo, Okpaligwe of Amawbia, thanked God for choosing one of their own to work in His vineyard.
Igwe Okonkwo noted that “Many are called but few are chosen” is a biblical aphorism that has found relevance in all spheres of life and vocation, stressing that those chosen are selected not because of holiness or strength of character but by the unfathomable will of God. He prayed God to sustain the celebrants in His grace as they labour in His vineyard.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ordination Committee, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ifesinachi Uduh, said priestly ordination and religious profession bring great joy and hope to the Catholic faithful worldwide. He noted that in Amawbia, with its three parishes, such events remain a unifying force that brings the entire town together in harmony.
“A call to the priesthood is always extraordinary because it is a call to assist in transmitting the unbroken tradition that began when Christ instituted the priesthood with His Apostles on the night of the Last Supper. Ordination also reminds us of Christ’s promise that He will be with His Church always until the end of time,” Fr. Uduh said.
Fr. Uduh expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the celebration. He specially thanked Engr. Edward Dijeh for gifting the newly ordained priest a car to aid him in his pastoral ministry, as well as Dr. Ikem Odumodu and the family of Prince and Dr. Mrs. Edwin Okon for their special support.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Ozo Rtn. Uchenna Ezeani, said it takes courage to say “Yes” to God’s call, adding that answering the divine call demands humility, steadfastness and total obedience, as one ceases to be master of himself. He prayed the Almighty God, who called the celebrants, to grant them sound health and wisdom for long years of excellent and meritorious service in His vineyard.
In their separate votes of thanks, Fr. Okafor-odu, and Sr. Oyego, expressed profound gratitude to God for His love, grace, wisdom and guidance throughout their vocation journey. They also thanked their families, friends, parishioners and well-wishers for their prayers, moral and financial support, praying God to abundantly replenish and reward all who assisted them in various ways.
Regina Igwebuike is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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