Fr Prof Obiefuna Marks Birthday with June Born Parishioners at St Michael’s Akwaeze
By ObyIndeed, it was a joyful and Holy Spirit filled Mass at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Akwaeze, Sunday 29 June 2025, as Rev Fr Prof BAC Obiefuna marked his birthday with parishioners born in June.Fr Obiefuna, who was the Chief Celebrant, celebrated the Mass with Rev. Frs. Celestine Muonwe and Daniel Odumegwu as concelebrants.Some notable parishioners attended the Mass, including Brother Ifeanyi Onuzulike, Vice Chairman of St Michael’s Parish, Akwaeze; Nze Fabian Obiakor, former Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council; and Sister Vivian Ibekwe, among others
The Mass commenced with inspirational and joyous choruses, even as Rev. Fr Prof Obiefuna assured the congregation that they would not leave God’s presence empty handed but with great blessings.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Celestine Muonwe, reflecting on the liturgy of the day – Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul – described St. Peter as the rock upon which Christ built His Church.
‘Physically, St Peter’s Basilica, Rome is built on the tomb of St Peter. For his part, St Paul was the great apostle of the gentiles whose stupendous conversion was equally amazing and inspiring,’ Fr Muonwe explained.
He urged the congregation to look unto the lives of the two princes of the Church and emulate their heroic virtues.
Going further, Fr Celestine enjoined the faithful never to give up on their faith in God, no matter the tribulations and winds of obstacle in their lives. Those temptations, he said, could arise from any angle or sphere of life, even from fellow members of the Church and faith.
‘In moments like this, look up to God, just like Peter, on whom the Lord laid the foundation of the Church; and Paul, the teacher of faith,’ the priest said.
Concluding his homily, Fr Muonwe called on the faithful to remember that true Christianity consisted in supporting one another in unity and love, visiting and praying for members that had problems, as well as backsliding ones, so as to win them back to God.
Some of the highlights of the June Born Celebration included a thanksgiving offertory procession where the entire June Born in the congregation joyously danced to the altar, bearing various offertory gifts. Others were a special prayer led by the homilist, Fr. Celestine Muonwe, for the June Born; a special vote of thanks led by the chief June birthday celebrant Fr Obiefuna; and a Birthday Game contest.
It was concluded by the cutting of Birthday cake with a thunderous rendition of ”Happy Birthday to you” song, followed by light refreshment and a lucky dip.
In his final vote of thanks, Fr. Obiefuna copiously thanked God, whom, he said, had been his source of strength and success in life, even as he pledged to serve the same Almighty God with last energy he had for the remainder of his life.
He also appreciated the rest of the June Born for joining him in the auspicious celebration and called on all, to remain steadfast in God’s service. He pledged to rededicate himself to the service of God and to be a blessing to humanity. He expressed gratitude to some of his friends, nephews, and nieces who powered the celebration.
Fr Obiefuna, a crusader of human development, said his interest in that was buoyed by such factors as family background, when, as orphans, they did everything together, working or eating; seminary formation, where they were taught to treat human beings as equal before God; education in Nigeria, under insufficiency, hunger, and stress, which made him to swear to always assist people out of such situations.
He also said his membership of two enviable professional bodies: the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), helped shape his life’s philosophy; just as his introduction of human relations to the study of religion
