by By Margaret Asikong
Wife of Cross River State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade has congratulated Rev. Fr. Philip Onyedikachi Obasi of Catholic Church of Ascension Parish, Nyaghasang on the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.
Speaking recently during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi and Fund Raising for the completion of the new church building, which was held at Government Primary School Nyaghasang, the Governor’s wife expressed thanks to all, especially the dignitaries present, including members of her entourage for honouring Rev. Fr. Philip by coming to felicitate with him on his 10th Priestly anniversary.
According to her, it has been 10 years of unswerving sacrifice and dogged devotion to truth and piety, adding that, serving as a priest in the body of Christ is indeed a privilege that entails mediating between the people and the Lord. She therefore prayed God to bless the continuous labour of Rev. Fr. Philip, as well, as reward his good works, while thanking him for his patience, impartial leadership which has impacted the lives of Gods people for the past 10 years.
Dr. Ayade used the occasion to thank all those who contributed in cash and kind towards the new church building project and pledged her financial support to ensure that the building is completed by God’s grace. She appealed to government officials to ensure that the road leading to the church of Ascension which is in a very bad condition is being worked on as there is need for a good road to convey the building materials to the church premises.
In his homily from Exodus 17:5-13 and 2 Timothy 3:14, 4:2, Rev. Fr. Cletus of Ikot Ansa Parish, enjoined all to be persistent in prayers in order to live victorious Christian lives, adding that, there are some battles that cannot be won on the field except on the knees, hence the need for them to be consistent in prayers, for with God nothing shall be impossible.
Rev. Fr. Cletus further admonished all to be rooted in the word of God, living in obedience to his word, as this will bring blessings to their lives amongst other things and prayed God to bless Rev. Fr. Philip, enlarge his coast, as well as grant him more grace to carry on with the work of God in his priestly office.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Lands, Prof. John Inyang and that of Local Government Affairs, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Odey-Ekpo amongst other dignitaries, also learnt their voices to congratulate the celebrant, Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi, commending him for his good works, while praying God’s blessing upon him, adding that he has been a blessing to many within and outside the Catholic Church. They used the occasion to pledge their support to the completion of the new church building by donating towards the building project.
In his remark, the Chairman, Boki Local Government Council, Pastor John Ewa, who was the Chairman of the occasion, expressed appreciation to Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi for the honour done him in inviting him to his thanksgiving mass, as well as giving him the privilege of being the Chairman of the day. He described the celebrant as a special vessel and an anointed servant of God.
According to him, their relationship started 2 years ago in Calabar in a prayer meeting and it has grown till date and admonished all to give their best to the Lord for all his blessings and mercies over their lives, while calling on them to support the ongoing project of completing the new church building of the church of Ascension, Nyaghasang for God will never forget their labour of love.
On his part, the Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi CSSR, expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for his love, mercies and grace upon his life for the past 10 years and for the gift of the Sacred Priesthood. He stated that the hand of God has been upon him since his ordination in Lagos as a Catholic Priest from September 30th, 2012 till date, Inspite of all his pitfalls as a human being, adding that, everything about him has been very special.
He thanked the wife of the State Governor, dignitaries, friends, well-wishers and parishioners for finding time to come and celebrate God’s faithfulness upon his life as a priest for the past 10 years and prayed God to bless all present as well as replenish all those who contributed in cash and kind to the success of the thanksgiving celebration/fund raising.
Rev. Fr. Philip disclosed that as part of the thanksgiving mass, a 5-day mega crusade was being organized by the church and thanked God for his visitation upon them. He maintained that the essence of the celebration is to give all the glory to God. According to him, all the proceeds from the anniversary thanksgiving mass will be given back to the church for the building project.
Highlights at the event included; thanksgiving mass in honour of Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi, good will messages, cutting of anniversary cake, group photographs, fund raising, amongst others.
