By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
Parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Ughelli, on Sunday, June 27, converged at the Civic Centre, Mission Compound to expressed gratitude and love to their former parish priest and assistants as they hosted a sent forth and welcome ceremony in their honour of their new parish priest.
The priests honored includes, Very Rev. Fr. Godwin Orudje, immediate past Parish Priest, Saints Peter and Paul Parish Ughelli, Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Oiseh and Rev. Fr. Francis Oghorobada, former Assistant Parish Priests.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the ceremony, Chief Ted Umuwe, reiterated the need for continuous show of love to priests by parishioners, as an outward sign of appreciation to them and sign of appreciation. He said, every priest makes enormous sacrifice and contributions to the spiritual growth of the people as well as growth and development of every parish.
In his words; “Very Rev. Fr. Godwin Orudje, is one priest i will always respect and remember for his simplicity, humility and obedience”.
He called on parishioners to always remember to pray for their priests, and to also support their priestly ministry at all time. He added that, no one can quantify their contributions and pains to take man to the internal inheritance and salvation of souls.
Continuing, Chief Umuwe expressed gratitude to the present parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony-Mario Ozele, describing him as a dynamic priest with exceptional qualities and gifts. He also appealed to all present, to be calm, and peaceful as they have come to show love to their spiritual leaders that have served and fed them with spiritual food.
In their honour, members of the Emmanuel Urhobo Catholic Joint Choir EUCJC, of the parish, in their unique appearances, gave wonderful performances and beautiful song rendition as a mark of gratitude to the priests. The Children of Resurrection Church, an outstation, also added colour as they presented Choreography dance, while the CYON presented the famous ‘Ema’ dance.
The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria CWO, of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, on their part, added colour to the ceremony with a match past display, while parishioners from Saint John De Baptist Agishon, an outstation, also presented cultural dance, all to honour their priests.
The outgoing priests, Very Rev. Fr. Godwin Orudje, Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Oiseh and Rev. Fr. Francis Oghorobada, were also presented with gifts of cash and kind by the parish laity council chairman, Sir Ambrose Oyovwe just as societies, groups and individuals also presented gifts to the priests.
Responding, Very Rev. Fr. Godwin Orudje, on behalf of his brother priests, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Mario Ozele, to whom instance the ceremony was put together, and to parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Parish for their show of love and support. He promise praying for them at all times and urged them to give same support giving to him and his brother priests to his successors, noting that God is the owner of the vineyard.
The ceremony which was witnessed by large numbers of parishioners and Catholic faithful, also feature tributes and expression of ‘well done and farewell fathers’.