Fr. Kizito Nkemjika Okeke

“I am Rev Fr Kizito Nkemjika Okeke, the youngest of nine children of Chief Daniel and Mrs. Theresa Okeke, from Enugwu-Agidi in Eastern Nigeria. My family was the bedrock of my vocation to the priesthood. Our parents gave us a perfect example of a good Christian life and we found joy in celebrating our faith every day of our life. Morning and evening prayers with daily recitation of the Holy Rosary were part and parcel of the family life. This strong spiritual foundation prepared me to be a good Catholic, and as a seminarian, I did not find the seminary life too hard to live. Initially, I had thought as a child that priests were appointed by God directly from heaven, may be, through some special manifestation; I did not count myself to be that lucky. I therefore had my mind focused on becoming a medical doctor like my brothers, or pursuing a soccer career, which brought me the highest rewards at all levels of competition. My family’s closeness to Priests and Religious elicited in me such interest in the priestly vocation as a very noble one. My closeness to the altar as an altar boy, and membership of the Legion of Mary increased my desire, thirst and yearning to serve God in a special way. It was a divine providence that the very year I graduated from the primary school, a junior seminary, Saint Kizito Seminary in Idah, was founded. This was the catalyst that launched the journey to the priestly vocation. I became one of the pioneers of the Seminary in 1982 at the age of twelve and graduated successfully in 1987.

After some months of pastoral work in Saint Joseph’s Parish, Anyigba, I was found to be a good candidate for the priesthood. I was sent to a spiritual year campus for one year program, after which I studied Philosophy in Saint Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi (1987-1990). My graduation was followed by a year of pastoral work in Saint Boniface Cathedral, Idah, and continued studies in Theology in Saint Augustine Major Seminary in Jos, from 1991-1995. I then obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies from University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Bachelors Degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome. I was ordained a deacon on December 18, 1994, and a Priest on July 15, 1995 by Most Rev. E.S. Obot for the Catholic Diocese of Idah in northern Nigeria. I am privileged to do some studies for my diocese while serving here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. I have a Master Degree in Educational Psychology from The University of Georgia, and now working towards my doctorate.

Assignments after my ordination were two: I was sent to Saint Anthony Parish, Okpo, as a parochial vicar (for a period of two years) while at the same time appointed a Diocesan Chaplain of the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), the office I held for eight years. In 1997 I was assigned as Pastor to Holy Cross Parish, Dekina and continued my work as a Diocesan Youth Chaplain and also Associate Chaplain at the provincial and National levels of CYON. I had worked also as the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Dekina Local Government, Kogi State, from 1999-2005, which further deepened my experience in ecumenism. My interest in Peace, Justice, and Development serve as a great inspiration in my priestly ministry. I enjoy soccer, photography, sharing experiences, jokes, stories, and philosophical thoughts.

I have visited my elder brothers who live in the States a good number of times after my ordination. This time I am here in obedience to my Bishop to do some studies for the diocesan needs. I had an interesting and fulfilling pastoral work in Saint Michael Parish, where I served with Fabio Sotelo, as the Pastor. It was a privilege and a happy experience to work with Fr Fabio. I remain grateful to him.

My new assignment to Saint Theresa Parish, Douglasville, has come to me with great excitement and enthusiasm. This is partly because “Theresa” is one of the best names on earth, because it is my mother’s name; and partly because I have received unprecedented messages of welcome from some parishioners and especially from the Pastor, Fr Fernando Molina-Restrepo. I therefore, look forward to a much more interesting and fulfilling pastoral life and ministry. I am delighted to work with Rev Fr. Fernando, and the good people of Saint Theresa Parish, Douglasville. I send my unalloyed and warmest greetings to all parishioners, as I look forward to working with all of you. It suffices to humbly note that I am a happy priest and I thank God every day for the gift of the priesthood, unworthy though I am.”