INTRODUCTION:

The Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu - Nigeria, ended their Year of Priests in a grand style on Friday, 11th June 2010 at St. Mary's Minor Seminary, Umuowa - Orlu. The celebration took place on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, on one of the days the Orlu Diocesan Priests used to have their Monthly Recollection. The celebration attracted both the Bishops (Incumbent and Emeritus), the Priests of the Diocese of Orlu, the Religious Men and Women, the Junior Seminarians of St. Mary's Seminary Umuowa, and many other lay faithful invited from the various Parishes.

THE HOLY MASS:
The celebration started with a Concelebrated Pontifical Mass which at about 9: 05 am at the St. Mary's Seminary Chapel of Presentation, Umuowa - Orlu. It was presided overy by the incumbent Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Toochukwu Ukwuoma. On the concelebrating side were the Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Obinna Ochiagha and Hundreds of Orlu Diocesan Priests. The Religious Men and Women, Junior Seminarians of the Umuowa Seminary, the executives of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and many other lay faithful were in attendance at the Holy Mass. The Liturgy was that of the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Preaching the Homily, Bishop Augustine Ukwuoma, reminded all of the various importance the Church, in her liturgical life, attaches to her celebrations, such as Optional Memorial of the Saints, Memorial of the Saints, Feast of the Saints and Solemnity of some of the very special personalities in the history of salvation. He charged all to observe and celebrate these events accordingly.

Preaching further, the Bishop tried to unravel the mystery that lies behind the celebration taking place in the Seminary. It was, according to him, to help us remember, appreciate and acknowledge our humble beginning as Priests, from Minor Seminary to what each one is today. It calls for thorough reflection on how, when and where we started our journey to the Priesthood. He therefore, charged the Priests never to forget their root.

The Bishop appreciated the assistance of the lay faithful in the work of evangelization especially in the Diocese of Orlu and charged them to work closely in harmony with the Priests in all the spheres of evangelization they may find themselves.

Bishop Ukwuoma finally, borrowing a leaf from the principal celebration of the day, the Solemnityy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, charged the Priests and all present at the Mass to try to emulate Jesus whose heart overflows with love for others.

After the Post-Communion Prayer, Bishop Ukwuoma thanked all that gathered to grace the ocassion of the end of the Year of Priests. He used that opportunity to make a presentation of a book entitled: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BISHOP SHANAHAN: REMARKABLE STORIES OF PRIESTS IN ORLU DIOCESE. This book is a collection of the stories of the true life experience of some of the remarkable Priests of the Diocese. It was compiled and edited by Rev. Frs. Ugonna Silas Mbonu and Donald Ewuru.

At the end of the Mass, there was a brief cultural display by the Catholic Women Organisation (C.W.O.) Band Group from St. Mary's Parish, Umuowa - Orlu. There was group photographs of the Bishops and other concelebrants.

PAPER PRESENTATION:
The 2nd phase of the celebration saw an erudite Paper Presentation by Very Rev. Dr. Fredrick Nnabuife (Orlu Diocesan Health Co-ordinator and the Parish Rector of St. Fidelis Parish Atta - Njaba L.G.A. The title of the Paper presentation was: Priestly Solidarity and Fraternity: A Case Study of Priests of Orlu Diocese. The paper presentation took place in the Seminary Chapel of Presentation and had both the Bishops, the Priests, the Religious and all the other members of the lay faithful as the audience. It was moderated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Kenneth Amasiatu of St. Joseph's Parish Ntueke.At the end of the Paper Presentation, there were questions and reactions from the audience. The Bishops spoke to thank the Presenter and the Moderator and all who listened and enjoined on all to take to heart the challenges of the Paper presented. The Religious and the other lay faithful thanked and admonished the Priests of the Diocese as they mark the end of the Year of Priests. They enjoined on all the Priests to make more efforts to live according to their vocation and finally prayed God to bless His Priests and renew in them each day the grace of Ordination.

Finally, the Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma formally declared 'CLOSED' the Year of Priests for the Diocese of Orlu - Nigeria. This was followed immediately by Sext (Mid day Prayer) and sumptuous lunch for all.