…As Fr. Ike marks birthday, priestly ordination anniversary
There was great celebration, joy and happiness among the priests, religious and parishioners of Catholic Church of the Assumption, Falomo, Lagos, Thursday, March 9, 2023, when Very Rev. Fr. Francis Ike, the Parish Priest celebrated his 50th birthday and 20th priestly ordination anniversary in grand style. The dual celebration which began with Mass was attended by priests and lay faithful from far and near, including the Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos and Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos. Delivering the homily at Mass, Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki, Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac, gave thanks to God for the gift of the priestly ministry, which he said Fr. Ike has exercised to God’s people, showing them the presence of God in him. Making reference to the second reading, Fr. Mayaki urged the celebrant not to lose sight of the call to service, adding that St. Paul reminds priests that they are only the earthenware jars that hold the treasure, as they do not preach themselves, but Christ Jesus, and themselves as servants for Jesus’ sake.
He said: “Truly, your ministry is a testimony of that selflessness described in the words of Albert Schweitzer, that the ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. “In our today’s Nigeria, where the meaning of service or civil service, is to be a disservice to the common good; or the meaning of ministry to minister to one’s self and selfish ends, and the meaning of elections is to select and preselect, the very meaning of INEC has become to be dishonest, a country where people are willing to grab power at all cost. “The Church calls us, indeed all of us, to remember that the purpose of life is not to be happy, but to serve without counting the cost; to be faithful, and not to be successful; to make a positive difference in the lives of others.” On what success and accomplishments mean to different priests, Fr. Mayaki said a successful priest is the prayerful priest. “As the Cure of Ars says, what we need is deep reflection, together with prayer and an intimate union with God, for ‘cut off from me, you can do nothing’ (Jn.15:5). A priest who does not pray or makes a theatre out of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, a priest who only confesses rarely and who does not live concretely like another Christ, is cut off from the source of his own being.” He called on the people to pray for their priests to always be protected from all spiritual and temporal attacks, and that their fidelity to the Church and faith in the Good Shepherd will endure, unwaveringly to the end. For his part, Fr. Ike thanked God who called him and has been sustaining him in His (God) vineyard these past 20 years and 50 years of his existence on earth, as well as bringing the day to fruition. He thanked Archbishop Martins for all he is to his fellow priests and himself, adding that the Archbishop’s counsels, consultations, admonitions have helped him in no small measure in bringing him where he is today.
He thanked Anthony Cardinal Okogie for being instrumental to his ordination and four others on the December 21, 2002, adding that since then, His Eminence has continued to be a father to him. “Thank you for honouring us with your presence. It is our collective prayer that the good Lord will grant you the gift of final perseverance, good health of mind and body through Christ our Lord”, he prayed. Acknowledging the bishops, Monsignories and priests who had come to share in the joyous day with him, Fr. Ike appreciated them all for making out time to celebrate with him, despite their busy pastoral schedules in their different parishes and dioceses. He said: “Some people who came from outside Lagos are also present here. Thank you for coming to rejoice with me. May this joy and thanksgiving continue to strengthen our bonds of unity and fraternity, through Christ our Lord. “I acknowledged friends from primary, secondary schools and seminary, religious for being part of my joy and celebration. Guests, parishioners of different parishes where I have worked and my present parish, Catholic Church of the Assumption, Falomo. To all the parishioners of this wonderful and beautiful parish where I am, I cannot thank you enough. For the past one and a half years you have continued to cooperate with me and my pastoral team as we try in our own little way to build up our community of faith. Thank you for your love.
Thank you for your accommodating spirit, Thank you for your support, Thank you for your understanding, Thank you for your generosity and Thank you for your faith. May the good Lord continue to meet each and everyone of you in your moment of your needs. Through Christ our Lord.” He commended the Planning Committee led by Mr. Akin Ojeyemi, for planning and executing the event in a short period, as he also thanked his mother and siblings for being part of his life and journey. “I thank you mummy for giving me to the Church. May God bless you, my brothers and sisters and may God grant eternal rest to my dad, through Christ our Lord”, he prayed. Also present on the occasion were Most Rev. John Oyejola, Bishop of Osogbo Diocese and Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, Bishop of Warri Diocese.
