Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2024, a reception took place at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center to celebrate the 16th anniversary of two Grant County Catholic priests. Father Ephraim Ezulike serves as pastor to the St. Francis Newman Center Parish in Silver City, and Father Casmir Anozie serves as pastor for the Infant Jesus Shrine in Hurley. 

Also joining them was their mentor, Father Alphonsus Ezeoke, director at the seminary in Nigeria, where both entered the seminary on the same day and graduated from the seminary together 16 years ago.

Father Alphonsus also would celebrate his birthday the following day, so the entire gathering of about 175 people from the two parishes, sang Happy Birthday to him. The room filled quickly and it seemed that no empty chairs remained. 

Organizers from the Newman Center included Shannon Mittica, Sylvia Misquez and lots of other helpers. The food served for lunch included brisket; beans, pinto and green; rice, Mexican and pilaf; a macaroni dish and bread buns and chips. Cookies decorated like sunflowers and crosses were dessert, along with the cake created in their honor. Also Dr. Victor Nwachuku's wife made a special dish of Nigerian rice for the priests.

The priests all spoke, and the three of them joined in song, one song in Latin, one in English and one in their native Ibo language. The festive afternoon honored the priests and their service to community. 

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