By Godwin Utuedoye,
UGHELLI- OVER 300 persons have been treated freely at Owevwen Community and villages around as part of activities and programme to mark the 10th priestly ordination anniversary of Rev. Fr. Prayer Oratio Odede, CsSR, parish priest of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Iwhrekpokpo-Ughelli.
Rev. Fr. Prayer Oratio Odede who is of the Redemptorist Congregation CSSR will together with the Redemtorists team in the parish, family members, friends and the entire parishioners on Saturday, June 23, 2018 offer thanks to God for his 10th priestly ordination anniversary at the Church premises by 10:00am.
Fr. Odede, CSsR, on Red T-Shirt with the medical team
According to a statement of program obtained by the Missionary Newspaper, the anniversary programme commenced on Wednesday, June 21, with a free medical outreach to Owevwen community, one of the outstation to the parish and other neighbouring communities by the (Friends of Honour, FOH), who are the planners of the event.
The free medical outreach team of Fr. Odede to Owevwen community according to the statement, was led by Dr. Akponana and Dr. Asaboro while that of the main parish centre was by led by Mr. D.O Mukoro. A source who witnessed the event confirmed that it was a huge relief to the people who prayed God to grant Rev. Fr. Prayer Oratio Odede, CsSR many more years in the priesthood.
Beneficiaries of the programme at Owevwen
Meanwhile, there will be a novelty football match at the St. Theresa’s Girls Grammar on Friday, June 22, 2018 between Holy Spirit football team and Saints Peter and Paul Parish Ughelli team, while the thanksgiving Mass will hold on Saturday, June 23, 2018.
It could be recalled that Rev. Fr. Prayer Oratio Odede, CsSR was ordained Catholic priest in June 26, 2008. Immediately after his ordination, he was sent on his first missionary journey to the Caribbean Islands, where he doubled as curate to the pastors of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Desruisseaux and Assumption Church of Vieux Fort in Santa Lucie. After about a year of mentorship in church administration, he was made a double parish priest of Church of Purification and St. Francis Xavier at Augier.
Fr. Prayer was involved in many retreats and parish missions to many other Islands and the United States before his return to Nigeria in 2012 and was resident briefly in Archangels parish and St. Andrew’s, Liemba before he was made the Superior of St. Fidelis Parish, Catholic
Archdiocese of Benin City, in 2013. He was transferred to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Ighwrekpokpor, Warri Diocese in 2015 and has since then served the people of God faithfully as the congregation are inspired by his celebration of the Holy Mass in both English and Urhobo languages.
The statement invites all well wiiiiiishers to celebrate and thank God with him.