It was another moment of celebrations on Saturday 28th of April, 2018, in the Nigeria Delegation as persons drawn from every axis of the country gathered at the Lanteri House at Low Cost Federal Estate, Kwamba, Suleja to celebrate with Fr Isaac Aghogho Abu, OMV as he gave thanks to God during his 10th Priestly anniversary.
The ceremony which began at 10:35am with a concelebrated Holy Mass had in attendance lots of priests, religious and lay faithful numbering about 357 persons. After the proclamation of the Gospel by Rev. Daniel Damisah, OMV, Very Rev. Fr Dr Bulus Makama of the Catholic Diocese of Minna delivered a reflective homily. At the homily, Fr Makama stated that having been chosen by God and ordained a priest, one must justify such a choice through faithfulness and commitment to the mission of uprooting evil and planting good, pulling down sinfulness and building righteousness. He further stated that any priest who is interested in being serious with this God-given mission of dismantling evil will not be idle pretending there is no work to do. This is actually because in our time and age, evil, wickedness, sinfulness and immorality continue to dare us even to the point and places that are meant to be scared. Through the priesthood we must rekindle the zeal and commitment to fight evil and enthrone goodness. Fr Bulus encouraged all not to be afraid of those who may attack them because God has promised to protect His people (Jer. 1:8). Applying the passage to Fr Isaac, the homilist stood out to testify to the fact that God has actually be there for Fr Abu. He further encouraged him to continue to remain focused on the God who called, chose and gave him work to do for Him, that, when he continues to work for God without change that God will continue to sustain and protect him. Talking about being focused, Fr Makama stated that Fr Abu has truly shown to be focused right from when he was undergoing his training in the seminary. However, he challenged Fr Abu as he celebrates his 10th priestly anniversary not to forget that the priesthood itself and the graces received thus far have been given by God Himself. With that in mind, he encouraged Fr Abu to respect himself and the priesthood so that no one may be be motivated to reproach him. He advised him to be a model to others by being devoted to the priesthood and the priestly ministry without forgetting to be watchful. As he congratulated Fr Isaac in rounding up his homily, Fr Makama called on the lay faithful to always pray for their priests.
In the spirit of the celebration, Pharm. & Pharm. (Mrs) Patrick Onuorah, who happened to be the "adopted parents" of Fr Isaac, used the occasion to renew their marital vows and commitment as they celebrated their 28th marriage anniversary.
Immediately after the Holy Mass, there was an entertainment of guests and lots of social activities took place to spiced up the occasion.
The presence of the Delegation led by the Delegate Superior, Very Rev. Fr Paul Etafo Ubebe, OMV was highly felt as members from the various communities were represented. Fr Ubebe made a presentation to Fr Isaac on behalf of the Delegation.
On behalf of the delegation, the Directorate of Communications heartily congratulates Fr Isaac Aghogho Abu, OMV on his Priestly anniversary celebrations.