St Mary's Catholic Church Afikpo

19/07/2025

FR. SIMON OGBONNA ACHA MARKS 25 YEARS AS CATHOLIC PRIEST IN AFIKPO

Hundreds of parishioners, clergy, and religious gathered on Saturday at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Afikpo, to celebrate Rev. Fr. Dr. Simon Ogbonna Acha, who marked 25 years of priestly service to God and humanity.

Fr. Simon was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki on July 7, 2000, and has since served in various parishes and capacities with dedication, humility, and spiritual wisdom.

He began his priestly journey at St. Michael’s Parish, Isu, where he served from 2000 to 2005. He later became the administrator of Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo, from 2005 to 2008, offering both spiritual and humanitarian support to the sick and vulnerable.

In his quest for deeper knowledge, he travelled to Rome where he earned a doctorate degree in Dogmatic Theology from St. Thomas Aquinas University. On his return in 2013, he was assigned to St. Theresa’s Parish, Akaeze, where he served until 2020.

Since 2020, Fr. Simon has been the parish priest of St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Afikpo, where his leadership, compassion, and service continue to inspire many.

The celebration featured a thanksgiving Mass, songs of praise, and tributes from parishioners and fellow clergy who described him as “a father, a friend, and a faithful servant of God.”

As Fr. Simon celebrates his Silver Jubilee, prayers were offered for his continued strength, grace, and perseverance in the Lord’s vineyard.

“May God, who called him, continue to bless him and guide him in his journey,” a parishioner prayed.

The event was not only a celebration of his priesthood but also a reflection on a life lived in faithful service to both God and the people.

Congratulations 👏👏👏👏👏 Padre

02/11/2024

Drop the names of your departed beloved ones, so that we remember them at mass. May they Rest in Peace ✌️ ✌️ ☮️☮️.

06/09/2024

It's quiz time.

04/09/2024

It's quiz time.
Be our winner today.

27/05/2024

A disclaimer from Catholic diocese of Abakaliki

17/06/2023

09/04/2023

HOLY SATURDAY MASS

When you fail to study for an exam, you will never know what you need to know in order to pass very well. In order for us to know the secrets of how to live a holy and glorious life which will help us to make heaven, we must be willing and ready to study the Scripture, because God has revealed to us a lot about Himself through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ which we can find in the Bible. It will be very sad that you have all you need to pass an exam and still you go ahead to fail the exam. Therefore, pick up your Bible, read and study it everyday and teach others to study it too and your life will never be the same again.

Every word the Lord has spoken about you in the Scripture must come to fulfilment. Trust in Him, believe in it and 'eat' His word as food on a daily basis and you will definitely have the best nourishment for your soul.

Lord Jesus, may my acceptance of your cross bring me everlasting joy. Amen.

07/04/2023

GOOD FRIDAY MASS

Give thanks to God always from the depth of your heart for He is the source of your life and blessings. We have journeyed for forty days together and in gratitude to God we must rise with Jesus at Easter. Be grateful to God for sending His only begotten Son to come and die for you. Be grateful and show appreciation when people show kindness or do good to you no matter how little or insignificant the act may be. Let gratitude be part of your life on a daily basis and you will definitely be a happy soul.

Today, make sure that you resolve to put the fruits of this journey into use and show appreciation to God in words and action for the gift of this season.

06/04/2023

HOLY THURSDAY MASS

The English word 'Maundy' comes from the Latin mandatum which means 'command'. And the reason why Maundy Thursday is called it because the Church celebrates this as the day on which Jesus gives His love command. What Jesus is in effect doing is summarizing His entire life. In bending down to wash the feet of the disciples in John13:1-13, Jesus brings together all that He was, all that He is doing. And so, on this Maundy Thursday, we are called, through this event of the washing of the feet to ask ourselves some serious questions and the first of these is, "Is there a separation between my being and my doing; Do I expect something in return for my love? Is my relationship with people a matter of "You give me, I give you"? Is it a matter of how much I can get out of this person, rather than how much I can give? Even as Jesus washes the feet of Judas and Peter, He is loving, forgiving and accepting them. This is true meaning of forgiveness, it is the true meaning of love, it is the true meaning of Maundy Thursday.

Holy Trinity, help us to stay connected to you so that we will get to our destination, Amen.

31/03/2023

Chrism Mass at Afikpo Region.

Today, Friday 31st March 2023, Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu celebrated Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Parish Afikpo, the headquarter of the Afikpo region.

Afikpo region consists of Two (2) deaneries, namely; Afikpo Deanery and Edda Deanery with a total of 22 parishes.

At the Mass, the priests working in the region renewed their priestly vows as the Bishop requests the faithful to always pray and support their priests.

As an essential part of the Chrism Mass, the Chrism oil was consecrated while Oil of Catechumens and Oil of the sick were blessed.

Thanks to the faithful and priests working in Afikpo region for the manner with which they welcomed our Chief Shepherd.

19/08/2022

BISHOP'S 1ST ANNIVERSARY WISH

Kindly pray for our beloved Bishop, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu, that he may remain faithful to the Lord who chose him to shepherd the flock in Abakaliki Diocese. That he may grow from strength to strength in teaching and feeding the tender lambs of God. Amen

23/07/2022

My Revered brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, may we get the following points.

(1) It is our bounden duty to put in our best both in prayers backed up with action and the struggle to defend ourselves from being disenfranchised in the upcoming elections 2023.

(2) In view of this, one of our parishioners has cleared with INEC to visit our parish tomorrow Sunday 24th July, 2022 for the issuance of PVC.

(3) The INEC officers shall visit St. Mary's Parish Afikpo by 8am to run throughout the day.
(4) The same exercise will be extended to Tuesday 26th July 2022. We kindly call on you to do us the favour of obtaining your PVCs before the expiration date.

May God bless and grant you all the grace to work by His Spirit.

ANNOUNCER
REV. FR. SIMON ACHA
PARISH PRIEST.