Solemnity Registered, As Catholic Priests Recount Late Chief Ezinne Onyeobi's Virtues, Ideals

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

Today, at Saint Christopher Catholic Church, Asaba, the families, relations, well wishers and children of Late Chief Odoziaku Ezinne Nkechi Philomena Onyeobi, marked a one month memorial mass for the repose of her soul.

The one and half hour church service witnessed the attendance of immediate family members, extended family relations, friends and well wishers.

It was jointly officiated by Rev. Fr. Paul Okolie, the parish priest; Rev. Fr. Solomon Ugwunmadu, assistant parish priest and Rev. Fr. Anthony Nwaeni, a visiting priest from St Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, Umunede.

Delivering his homily, Rev Fr. Anthony Nwaeni, shared memorable accounts and insights, about how the departed Matraich touched lives, lived her Christian convictions, sustained tenets of the holy Catholic Church, supported the advancement of God's Kingdom in Asaba and positively impacted him during his days as a seminarian.

Quoting the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the reverend father, noted that ' a man is still alive, as long as memories about the departed one still remains fresh and ever-green in the heart of men.
Of such persons, they live on, despite, realities of death, Rev Fr Nwaeni remarked.

Mama Onyeobi, as fondly referred to, lived a wonderful remarkable and quality life, one the church will always miss.

Mama's capacity to patiently listen to with rapt attention towards all who crossed her way, her charitable heart, commitment to things of God, promoting and support in strong family values stood her out amongst other women in the church.

Her ever smiling dispositions towards all concerns and challenges people present before her and her gentle calm assuring response from her is a virtue the church, family and friends will now live without, Rev Fr Nwaeni reasoned.

Admonishing Christians present, the ministering priest urged all to allow love towards their neighbours positively impact their interactions and relationships.

Rev Nwaeni optimistically emphasized his confidence about Mama's life of charitable acts, service to God's Kingdom and her resultant blessed heavenly bliss.

During his closing remarks, Rev Fr Paul Okolie, pointed out how Mama Onyeobi's demise left behind a remarkable gap in the church.

Sharing his personal feelings and experiences within the last one month, the parish priest noted that it is very important that our departed loved ones are remembered always.

He charged all in attendance to seek for opportunities to always pray and book masses for their departed loved ones.

I will not cease to celebrate masses for Mama Onyeobi, even if I am transferred from this parish I will always remember her in my prayers, Rev Fr Okolie said.

Rev Fr Paul Okolie appreciated the Onyeobi family for deeming it fit to organize a one month memorial mass in Honor of their late Mother, Wife and Matraich.

A grave side prayer session was later performed by the officiating priests at Chief P.I.G Onyeobi's country home near St Christopher Catholic Church.

Family members, friends, associates and well wishers after the service took turn to share their condolence messages with the widower, Chief P.I.G Onyeobi.

Mr Emeka Onyeobi, the deceased first son, appreciated all who came to felicitate with them, pointing out that despite Mama's demise, her life of exemplary standard has laid the right foundation him and his siblings, as his late mother's has positively impacted all of them and their children.