The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has 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. in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State
These recipients and beneficiaries were honoured during the Civil reception of the Bishop Ezeokafor shortly after the Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration.
Angel Network News (ANN) 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 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.
The Catholic Prelate 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.
Ezeokafor 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 Bishop 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.
ANN gathered that the Old All saints Parish, Awgbu is 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.
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.
