Sunday, July 10, 2022 was a day of merriment and thanksgiving at Christ the King Catholic Church, Sabo-Oniba, Ojo, Lagos as Rev. Fr. Uduak Innocent Udomboh, Priest in charge of the Church celebrated 10 years as a priest in the vineyard of God. The day which was resplendent with brilliant sunlight, despite the rainy weather July is known for, saw parishioners, friends and well-wishers, as well as priests from far and near troop into the premises of the Church to celebrate with the amiable servant of God. Delivering his homily during the Mass, Rev. Fr. John Cross Nkanta, CSsR described the heart as the foundation of all good things in life, as he added that from the heart humans begin to express love. He said that from the heart humans desire God just like the celebrant desired God, and after all the years of training, 10years ago, the Holy Spirit with the Church laid hands on him and anointed his head and hands and made him a holy child of God, a priest for the people.
Speaking on the gospel of the day, he said Jesus brings something good in the character of the Samaritan, adding that God has placed in the heart of everyone something to do good to our neighbour. .He urged the people to love without boundaries, as he asked them to be wary of sin, which is number one enemy to the Church. “When people are attracted to things other than God, we become enemies to God; our love for God is dead. So, that is the first enemy in our life”, he said. He said the Church with the power in the Sacrament of reconciliation restores and reconnects sinners to God. Quoting St. Augustine, he said the people are meant to take care of the Church until the second coming of Christ Thanking God for the celebrant accepting to serve God by choosing God first, Fr. Nkanta urged the people to let their lives continue to show the light of God wherever they go. Also speaking on the occasion, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Agabor OSJ, Provincial Superior, Oblate of St. Joseph, expressed joy and pride in the celebrant, as he added that out of the 10 years, six has been dedicated to the service of the province as a counselor in the province. He said: “For six years Fr. Innocent was the provincial bursar. The first three years, he was the bursar of the delegation, and in the last few years, the bursar of the province. Through these six years, Fr. has shown transparency, accountability and has been very responsible in handling the finances of the province. “Fr. throughout this period has done well.
So, Fr. as I thank you for your service to the province, I also felicitate with you and pray the good Lord continues to strengthen you for the future. “Nobody knows where the future will lead us; only God knows. But I pray that in whatever circumstance you find yourself, you will always serve the province as you have always done. “We on our part promise you our full support. We promise you our fraternity. We promise you our protection. We promise you our solidarity and our prayers.” For his part, Fr. Udomboh said 10 years of priestly ordination, is a celebration of thanksgiving for him. He said: “Today is a special day because I mark 10 years in the vineyard of the Lord. Some people will say 10 years is not 10 days or 10 months. Some will say it’s not biscuit. Some will say, 10 years is not moinmoin. You can take any of it. The truth of the matter is that God has been faithful. God has been wonderful.
The blessing of God has been upon me for the past 10 years, and I have experienced his goodness, his love upon my life. “So, today in thanksgiving I appreciate God for what he has done in my life in the past 10 years and for giving me the opportunity to serve as a priest. The gift of priesthood; a precious gift that is given to men that no one merits that precious gift, but God has given it to me. May his name be praised both now and forevermore.” Fr. Udomboh appreciated everyone present at the noble celebration, including priests who came from different parts of the country, representatives from the parishes he had worked in. “I thank you all for coming to celebrate with me and making the day beautiful and colourful”, he said.
