There was great joy and celebration among the Anozie family of Umuariam, Obowo, Imo State and parishioners of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Ladi-Lak, Bariga, Lagos on Saturday, November 19, 2022 when Very Rev. Fr. Francis Anozie MSP, celebrated his 25th priestly ordination anniversary with pomp. The event which kicked off with Mass was graced by family, friends, parishioners, priests, religious and guests of the celebrant who came from far and near to be part of the festivities. Expressing his happiness and fulfillment on the occasion, Fr. Anozie di closed that he was not used to marking his birthday or priestly anniversary and saw no need to celebrate this time, but his parishioners insisted that he celebrate it, and that he had no choice than to give in to their request. According to the Parish Priest, “I am now enjoying it, and it’s a very happy day, a very joyful day, especially seeing the categories of people from different parishes I have worked. Today makes me happy; it makes me joyful. Sharing experiences of his priesthood, the celebrant disclosed that the only sad aspect he has had in his history of the priesthood was his class five in the junior seminary when he became a victim of circumstance, as he was affected by other peoples’ wrongdoings when he was not around.
He said everyone in the class was asked to leave the school at the time, but five years later, he saw himself again in the missionary life. He said: “I must tell you that since it’s something that God has written that I will work for Him, five years later; after I had done bakery work, done motor parts business, become a catechist, they brought me back to the missionary life, the Missionary society of St. Paul, that’s where I was ordained in 1997. “I worked in Liberia during the war. It was tough. But each time I went to the Blessed Sacrament, I got that sustenance, I got that fulfillment, I got that assurance from God that He wasthere for me.” According to him, the moments that would have been his low points were the moments that God revived his spirit. He added that he feels renewed as if he is newly ordained. The celebrant thanked all who had come to celebrate with him, especially his benefactors which include Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Okafor and a host of others. Delivering the homily at Mass, Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Okafor thanked God for the celebrant, as he assured the people that God does not abandon those He has called. According to Fr. Okafor, God will a ways provide everything that those that work for Him need to carry out their work in Hisvineyard.
Advising the people to always be contented with whatever God has given them, he reminded them of the importance of showing gratitude to God at all times. Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, ably represented by Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Oduntan, while congratulating Fr. Anozie on the occasion of his silver jubilee priestly ordination thanked God for the graces and mercies bestowed on the celebrant as he labours in God’s vineyard. Commending him to our Lady Queen of the Clergy, the Archbishop urged the celebrant to have some moments of sober reflection, commune with God and thank God for making him worthy of the gift of the priesthood, as he renews his pledge to serve God for the rest of his life.
