UKE COMMUNITY RECEIVES REV MOTHER MARYSUSSAN EKPECHI AS A WORTHY CITIZEN
By Uzo Ugwunze
The depth of the joy and glory in the inner recesses of the mind and heart of Uke Christian community was deep and overflowing at St. Dominic's Catholic Church Uke during a Thanksgiving Holy Mass and Grand Reception in Honor of an illustrious daughter of the land in the service of God at St. Scholastica Benedictine Abbey, Umuoji, a community of Nuns of the Catholic Church.
Rev Mother MarySussan Ekpechi, Mother-General was favored as she had been lifted spiritually in her journey in the vineyard of God.
The Parish Priest in charge of St. Dominic's Catholic Church Uke venue for the event expressed his overwhelming disposition to behold the unique event which he described as a rare privilege.
Rev Fr Cosmas Mmaduekwe, President, Uke indigenous Priests and Religious who Chaired the Committee that strategized the reception saw the elevation to the prestigious position of Abbess of St. Scholastica Benedictine Monastery as a testament to dedication, hard work and devotion to faith, the President of Uke indigenous priests and religious. That’s it. an Uke indigenous Priest who Chaired the Committee that masterminded the reception saw the elevation to the prestigious position of Abbess of St. Scholastica Benedictine Monastery as a testament to dedication, hard work and devotion to faith, attributes that singled out Mother-General MarySussan out among her peers.
Igwe Surv Charles Chuma Agbala, the traditional ruler of Uke Ancient Kingdom affirmed the prominent position Uke community has occupied in things of religiousity being reflected in the number of priests Uke Christian community has been blessed with, describing the Nuns in monasteries as those with paramount duties and responsibilities of unceasing prayers for the Church, the society, families and individuals.
The Royal Father invoked his royal blessing upon the service of Rev Mother MarySussan and called on female youths to emulate her footsteps in the service of God.
The President-General, Uke Development Union, Peter Onyejegbu identified the successful reception as a rallying point for the unity and peace of the community as he appreciated all that supported in many ways.
Rev Mother MarySussan Ekpechi reacting to the event put together to honor her extolled the extraordinary leadership stride of the President-General, Uke Development Union, Peter Onyejegbu who she said designed the reception and brought it under a unified communal event devoid of religious partisanship or divide.
The Mother-General extended her appreciation and gratitude to all who have contributed in no small measures to honor her, re-emphasizing the benefits inherent in embracing God, serving Him in truth and in spirit.
Summarizing the overwhelming success of the communal event, the Publicity Secretary, Uke Development Union, UBAKA onwuanibe succinctly described the glorious event as the handiwork of God, a pedestal upon which Uke community can build on hence forth to achieve adequate peace co-existence.
Upon the elevation and episcopal blessings by the metropolitan See of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke, Rev Mother MarySussan Ekpechi becomes the highest in rank among the indigenous priests and the religious in Ukeland.
The Holy Eucharistic Mass that preceded the reception was officiated by the Very Rev Fr. Peter Okolo the oldest in Priesthood among the indigenous priests in Ukeland.
Highlight of the Grand Reception included the presentation of a 10 million naira cheque donated by Uke community to Rev. Mother MarySussan Ekpechi in appreciation and support for her spiritual journey and impact in the vineyard of God.
