Father Chuckwuemeka Nnaji - 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination... and farewell

On Thursday 21st August 2025, the people of the parish, over 25 priests and a couple of hundred friends and family joined together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Father Emeka’s priestly ordination in 2000 at St Mary’s Parish Umuowa in Nigeria.   Guests had travelled from all over the UK as well special guests from Nigeria and the USA.

Just about to enter the church

The celebration mass was a wonderfully uplifting service with memorable participation from everyone present, especially mentioning the readers, the homily, the beautiful music ministry, the numerous servers who were as always on great form and the beautiful church flowers and pew decorations. Thank you everyone.  At the end of the service, Father Emeka's "thank yous" took almost as long as the homily calling out people present and unable to come who had played very significant roles in his formation. Finally, as a complete surprise, Father was presented with a stole with embroidered images of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in our Lady Chapel and on its reverse a map of Africa with Nigeria highlighted in the green and white of its flag.  This was symbolising his love of the UK and his life in the UK but acknowledging his equal love for his "other home" in Nigeria.

A very full church

Following a procession with the congregation across to St Winifred’s school, the celebration continued with delicious food and drinks provided by our gifted parish volunteers.  There were mountains of West African and South Asian dishes serving chicken, red bream and goat with ample rice. Additionally, a cold buffet was available with different salads, quiche, sausage rolls, sandwiches and many other dishes. Thank you to all those who contributed in any way to the feast.

Cutting the cake

Once nourished with the buffet and refreshment from the huge selection of wines, beers and soft drinks, the party moved up a notch with the start of dancing to Afro Beats and other music.  During the party, Father Emeka cut an incredible three tier cake, one tier of which was photos of Father and illuminated by tiny lights; truly spectacular. At that time, he was also presented with an album of photos send in by parishioners of events and families dear to his heart here in Lee. Many fond memories for him to look back on. Finally, the cash donation made by our parishioners were presented which from its total showed the love people have towards our priest for the past 11 years.

Father Emeka leading the dancing

Sadly, the party came to a finish around 11pm with all who were there leaving in high spirits.  What an event!

Of course, it was not forgotten during the celebration that the mass and party were also a farewell to Father Emeka as he moves St Vincent's church in Dartford on 1st September after over a decade with us in Lee. We thank him for his ministry in Lee and offer him our prayers and best wishes for his next steps.

Father Emeka sends out his most sincere thanks to all those at the mass for their prayers and participation and the larger crowd at the party for making it a night not to be forgotten.  He also thanks most sincerely all those in the parish who helped make it such a huge success; the music ministry, the altar servers, the welcoming team, those who donated food and drinks, set up teams, clear down teams and anyone else who have been omitted - by accident of course. 

And finally, his most heartfelt thanks for the very generous personal donations from the parish along with the greeting cards and not forgetting the Photo Book which will hold many fond memories.  

An on-line album has been set up where anyone can follow the link here and add their own photos from the night. It is also possible for you to just open the folder and look at candid pictures from the night

If you missed the thanksgiving mass, a recording of the service as streamed is here.