St. Patrick Community, Alaba and indeed Satellite Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos was agog last Sunday, July 3, 2022 when Very Rev. Fr. Francis Onyeka Anyanwu, Parish Priest, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba, Ojo, Lagos and Dean, Satellite Deanery celebrated his 25th priestly ordination anniversary with pomp. The event which took place at the vast premises of St. Patrick Catholic Church was attended by priests, religious and lay faithful, friends and family of the celebrant who came from far and near to be part of the silver jubilee anniversary festivity. Delivering his Homily at Mass, which kicked off the ceremony, Rev. Fr. Remond Adebowale described Fr. Anyanwu as a man of God, a man of faith and a leader, who the people of Alaba are blessed to have in their midst. According to Fr. Adebowale, “On June 27, 1997, 25 years ago, at Bodija, Ibadan, Fr. Francis was ordained a Catholic priest, and looking at him on that day, he was strong and agile and good to go.” Rendering the favourite hymn of the celebrant, Fr. Adebowale said God has been with Fr. Francis and has never left him for a second, as he added that that is the reason he has been able to achieve so much.
He said: “25 years after ordination, all of us at this Mass; family and friends, colleagues and all have come to testify that the journey Fr. Francis began 25 years ago has been a massive success. “Fr. Francis has not just been a builder of buildings, structures, schools, grottos, halls, but a builder of the faith, which is the most important thing because buildings will not go to heaven, but the faith that the people have is the most important thing. “You have been a builder of the faith. You have been a builder of people, a builder of families and a builder of their salvation; every sermon, every word, every meeting, every step you take is always geared towards the salvation of souls.” For his part, Bishop John Oyejola, Catholic Bishop of Osogbo commended Fr. Francis for responding to God’s call, adding that Fr. Francis is one of those called by Jesus himself and he responded and is representing the Church well. Urging the people to pray for their priests, Bishop Oyejola said he is grateful to God for calling himself and other priests and for having trusted in them. He reminded those called by God that they are servants of the people representing Christ for the people, as he urged the priests to continue to serve the people and give the best to them. Expressing his gratefulness on the occasion, Fr. Anyanwu, said, “I call this celebration, ‘celebrating the silver linings in God’s call’.
I am not just counting years or counting months or marking calendars, I am looking at the abundance of God’s mercy, compassion, kindness, protection and goodness. “I am looking at the number of times God has proven himself as God. I am looking at the number of times that I have fallen, but the grace of God and the mercy of God kept me going. I am looking at the number of times that I have been weak or sometimes frustrated and tired, but God’s grace was always there to rescue me. “I am looking at the number of times that I have done very little, but I have seen great results. I am looking at the number of times that I did nothing, but a lot of things happened. I am looking at the number of times the hand of God has manifested itself in my life and in my work as his priest. And for these, I am grateful, not just because the 25 years I have been a priest, I am grateful because I have seen God move and work in my life and the things that I do for him in the Church and among his people. The celebrant thanked Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos for his support and understanding, and good wishes on the occasion of his silver jubilee celebration.
He thanked His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie for his fatherly support, understanding, encouragement and prayers. He was also full of appreciation for the support extended to him by Bishop Oyejola, priests, religious and faithful in the various parishes and dioceses he has served, and for coming to celebrate with him.
