Fr Nicholas Okafor, an associate pastor in Surfers Paradise parish, wrote this reflection for his parishioners to mark his first anniversary of ordination – July 19.
IT is hard to believe that it’s already been 12 months since I said “Yes” to the call of God. It’s just like yesterday come and gone.
I haven’t stopped asking God “Who am I Lord, what is my lineage that you have led me thus far?” (2 Samuel 7:18)
He who equips those whom he calls has never let me down.
My prayer since I was a child has been to serve in the House of the Lord all the days of my life and that has been granted me. I have never looked back.
Within this one year, I have seen some of the ups and downs of the priesthood.
Nevertheless, I have come to know that the joys of this vocation supersede its challenges.
Sometimes things look a bit blurred but I have come to realise that while God can surprise us, he can never disappoint us.
So far the most enjoyable aspect of the ministry is the celebration of Mass: to be able to call God down from His throne of majesty in Heaven, to be with us on earth in the form of bread and wine, is a wonderful privilege to have.
I cannot get tired of celebrating Mass with and for the people of God. It is so good to spend time with the people.
It is also a great privilege to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This sacrament not only makes a priest’s role as the mediator and reconciler of God and humanity clearer, but also helps the priest to be aware of his own weaknesses.
Listening to people in the confessional humbles me because in their confession I hear some of the things that I neglect in my day-to-day life.
At that time my inner eyes are opened to look inwards and try to improve in my own life, knowing fully well that we all are wounded sinners who are in need of God’s mercy.
When I give people words of encouragement, I talk to myself too.
Being there for the dying and the sick to comfort and give them hope is also a ministry that gives me joy.
You see relief on some people’s faces when they see a priest arriving to anoint them or a relative who’s dying.
The manner in which they say “Thank you so much, Father” tells you how they value this sacrament and apostolate.
Youth ministry carries in itself an enormous amount of encouragement.
Through it, one can still have hope that the Church is not “running out of business” – that the Church has a future in the boys and girls who will be mothers, fathers, religious, priests and single people of tomorrow.
As a young priest, the youth group of our parish, Venire, gives me joy and hope.
I would also like to tell the young people out there that priestly vocation is not as boring as some of them think; it’s alive and active.
It’s cool and exciting to be a priest.
My prayer is that God may continue to renew the joy of the ministry in me.
May God fill-in what is lacking in my life and may He continue to grant me every grace for the ministry.
Thank you God for choosing me to be your priest; I am very grateful.
I am equally grateful to parish priest Fr Tim Harris and Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Father Regi Gervasis and the parishioners of Surfers Paradise parish who have been very supportive during this time.
