St. Anthony’s Parish, Umuozu, was filled with joy on Sunday, June 21, 2026, as the Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma, paid a pastoral visit to the parish and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 89 candidates.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Ukwuoma and concelebrated by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Herbert Orjiukwu, alongside other priests. Parishioners turned out in large numbers, beautifully dressed and well prepared to welcome their chief shepherd.
At the beginning of the celebration, the Bishop thanked God for the gift of life and, in a special way, expressed gratitude as he marked the 18th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. He urged the faithful to continue praying for him as he carries out his episcopal ministry in the Diocese.
In his homily, Bishop Ukwuoma reflected on the liberating power of the Gospel, drawing inspiration from the Ozioma theme and emphasizing that the Good News of Christ has continued to foster human development and societal transformation.
Reflecting on the First Reading, he encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in the face of opposition and persecution. He noted that just as Prophet Jeremiah suffered for proclaiming the truth, Christians today may also encounter resistance for standing up for what is right.
He lamented a culture in which many people prefer flattery over truth and urged Christians never to relent in defending truth and justice, even when doing so attracts criticism.
Speaking on the Gospel, the Bishop highlighted the virtue of courage, reminding the faithful of Christ’s words not to fear those who can destroy the body but cannot destroy the soul. He encouraged everyone to pursue truth with the assurance that God is always with His people.
Addressing the confirmation candidates, Bishop Ukwuoma reminded them that being soldiers of Christ entails living exemplary lives through obedience to parents and elders, commitment to truth, and rejection of lies, malice and all forms of falsehood.
Following the homily, the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to the 89 candidates.
After Communion, awards and certificates were presented to winners of the recently concluded parish quiz competition. Among the three stations in the parish, Holy Trinity Station emerged third, Sacred Heart Station second, while Immaculate Heart Station took first place.
In the individual category, Onuoha Mary Favour came third, Amaechi Sopiruchi placed second, while Sule Chiamaka emerged overall winner.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Herbert Orjiukwu, thanked God for the successful celebration and expressed gratitude to the Bishop for choosing to visit the parish on the occasion of his 18th Episcopal anniversary. He described the visit as a great privilege for the parish and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the Bishop’s ministry.
Presenting the parish address, the Parish Council Chairman, Mr. Ambrose Anokwuru, expressed profound gratitude to God for the opportunity to host the Bishop, describing the occasion as a historic milestone for the parish.
He highlighted some pastoral achievements recorded by the parish, including 179 baptisms, 21 marriages celebrated and 112 parishioners who had received the Sacrament of Confirmation over the period under review. He also showcased various developmental projects undertaken by the parish, including interior beautification works and the renovation of the chapel.
In his response, Bishop Ukwuoma commended the parishioners for giving the parish a new look and praised the efforts of the various groups working for the growth of the Church. He also acknowledged and appreciated the Carmelite Sisters for their contributions to the life of the parish.
After the Mass, the Bishop took photographs with the newly confirmed candidates, pious societies and the Ozioma dancers before proceeding to bless the renovated chapel.
The Bishop also visited the proposed site for Holy Trinity Station Church, a parcel of land donated by Dr. Cosmos Ekeogu, where he laid the foundation stone for the future church building.
The day’s activities concluded with a grand reception in honour of the Bishop’s pastoral visit.