By Nna Anulumadu
Ideani community was set agog last Sunday July 8, 2023 as the Catholic community members turned out in their large numbers to receive their newly ordained indigenous priest Rev Fr Michael Chukwuemeka Okosa.
The joyful ceremony which witnessed the celebration of first Holy Mass by the new priest attracted the presence of indigenous priests of the town, other priests, religious and faithful.
Preaching a homily during the Mass, Fr Tochukwu Nwafor charged faithful to always give the priests spiritual and material support to enable them function effectively in their priestly ministry. According to him, faithful owe the priests prayers and other support to succeed in winning souls for Christ. He described a priest as an extension of Christ ( another Christ) who has been transformed ontologically.
In his remarks shortly after the Mass, the parish priest of St Paul’s parish Ideani Rev Fr. John Nnaemeka congratulated the new priest Fr Okosa for accepting to answer the priestly call. He also commended Ideani people for supporting the ordination and reception of their new indigenous priest, describing Fr Okosa as new gift to the mother church.
The new priest Fr Okosa in appreciation extolled Fr John Nnaemeka for making the reception a huge success, describing him a dynamic, ebullient and hard-working priest who has succeeded in transforming the parish. He also thanked Okosa family for supporting his vocation. Others he appreciated are his formators , sponsors , relatives and friends for their prayers and assistance, asking God to bless them abundantly.
The mother of the new priest Mrs Anthonia Okosa aka Ojiugo who spoke to Trinitas expressed unalloyed gratitude to God for elevating her to the status of mother of a priest, stating she never merited that rare privilege. She prayed God to grant her son special grace and strength to win souls for Christ. Also the parish CMO Chairman Samuel Igwe and the parish CWO president Mrs Blessing Ojilundu in their separate remarks congratulated the new priest, praying God to endow him with extra ordinary wisdom in his priestly ministry. The duo praised the parish priest of St Paul’s Ideani for his sacrifices in making the reception a colourful one. The parish catechist Remijus Okpoko also felicitated the new priest, posting that they are elated to receive him.
