By Ononye VC
The St Mary’s Catholic Church,Onitsha Inland Town was agog last Sunday as the parishioners literally rolled out the red carpet for reception of two Onitsha indigenous Rev Sisters who celebrated their anniversaries.
The Reverend Sisters of the congregation of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM),mother of Christ are,Rev Sr Mary Augusta Olimma who celebrated 50 years anniversary of Sisterhood and Rev Sr Mary Felita Iwenofu who celebrated 25 years anniversary.
The traditional ruler of Onitsha,HRM,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe,members of his cabinet,the Otu Odu Onicha and members of the Agbalanze Onicha,graced the thanksgiving mass and grand reception.
Onitsha indigenous priests were on hand to concelebrate the mass with the Chief Celebrant,Rev Fr Peter Areh.
Delivering his homily,Rev Fr Henry Osakwe congratulated the celebrants,reminding them that whatever they achieved today,was by the special grace of God.
He urged them to look back to see that some of those they started the race with may not have been lucky as they were.
The Parish Priest of St Mary’s Catholic Church,Onitsha and also Vicar General, Archdiocese of Onitsha,Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor,Very Rev Fr Dr Austin Oburota,other priests and religious were also present to felicitate the celebrants.
Fr Johnbosco in a brief remark,expressed gratitude to the Obi in Council for finding time to attend the event,describing it as a great solidarity.He also thanked the entire parishioners for making the event a success.
The Obi of Onitsha,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe personally handed over keys to a new brand Sienna Executive car to Rev Sr Olimma which was a gift from her relatives,the Onwuazo family,Onitsha.
Other gifts were presented to the celebrants at the reception.
The knights and ladies of St Mulumba,St Mary’s Subcouncil led by Sir Chike Nwagbologu also graced the ocassion.
A senior indigenous priest of Onitsha,Very Rev Fr Dr Austin Oburota commended the St Mary’s Parishioners and the Parish Priest Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor for organising the reception.
