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Father Christian Ogbonna, Associate Pastor 2006-2007. (The following was written during his tenure.) Rev. Fr. Christian Iheanyichukwu Ogbonna was born on May 23, 1949 at Emekuku-Owerri to the late Mr. Joseph Ogbonna Nduribe and the late Mrs. Cyrina A. Ogbonna of Okoroejimoge Umuduruolome Okohia Autonomous Community (Isiekenesi Clan), in the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. He is the third child, but the first son of the four surviving children (2 females, 2 males) of his late parents. He had his primary school education at St. Finbarr's School, Okpala in Ngor Okpala L.G.A. from 1956-63. In 1964 he entered St. Mary's Seminary, Umuowa - Orlu and moved to St. Peter Claver Seminary Okpala in 1965. He completed his secondary school education in 1971 after some years interruption by the Nigerian Civil War. He was senior prefect at St. Mary's Seminary from 1971-72. He then went to Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, Anambara State, Nigeria for his philosophical antd theological studies where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree in theology. He was ordained a priest by the late Bishop Mark O. Unegbu, on July 22, 1979 at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. His first assignment was Assistant Priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Ohaji and on October 8, 1979 he became Parish Priest of Chukwunyere Catholic Parish, Egbema in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Fovernment Area of Imo State, Nigeria. In 1983 he came to Walsh University in Ohio where he earned his B.S. in Chemistry and Biology in 1987. During this time he supplied for the summer at parishes in Enid OK, Albuquerque NM, Newark NJ, and Ronkonkoma NY. Fr. Christian entered graduate studies in Biology, then returned to Nigeria at the request of his Bishop to teach Junior Seminary. Over the next 17 years he served as Parish Priest in Okpala, Ubomiri, Izombe and Ogbaku in Nigeria. He also spent his summer holidays assisting in parishes in Clovis CA and Fresno CA. He also was the Zonal Vicar for Zone III, Ogbaku, a member of the Presbyterial Council and the Chaplain/Spiritual Director of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy. True to his Igbo name, Fr. Christian strongly believes that with God everything is possible and with him one can go miles. He therefore takes solace in the gentility and humility of heart that the Lord proposes to all Christians. He likes badminton, music, traveling and reading. All praise, honor and glory to God for any achievements he might have made in his life! Fr. Christian was with us from 2006-2007 and transferred to St. Mary in Gautier. |