A message from Fr Anthony

My dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you.

In the Name and with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, I greet you: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.” This mandate of Jesus is meant for each and every one of us.

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Father Anthony Chike Nnamah, MSP. I am a Priest of the Missionary Society Of St. Paul. The Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria, a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right in the Roman Catholic Church, guided by the Spirit, is present in ten African countries, in four European countries, in two countries of the Caribbean Islands, in Canada, and in the United States of America, spreading the good news of God’s salvation through parish ministry, social justice, hospital chaplaincies, schools, and spiritual formation. I was born in Nigeria, from a family of Six. Four of us still alive. I was ordained a Priest for the missions on the 23rd of June 1990 in Abuja-Nigeria.

My childhood dream was to become a medical doctor. The vocation to the priesthood was one of the greatest struggles in my life. I resisted and doubted it until the last day. There were loads of thorns and stones on the road to the Priesthood.

I worked briefly in Nigeria for nine months after my ordination and was then posted to the French speaking Cameroon. From Cameroon I was sent to Liberia and later to Germany. I came to the United Kingdom in Jan-uary of 2016. I worked briefly in London before my official posting to Ruabon-Wrexham. And now, today, I am here in Rhyl, Denbighshire.

I am here to learn from you and also share my mission experiences with you. I am a simple man by nature. No complications. I like to say and do things with prudence. I am always ready to accept corrections and mis-takes. I am here to serve.

I thank Fr. Charles Ramsay for the marvellous work done in the Parish for the past 20 years. Father Charles is a simple, kind-hearted holy man. It is almost impossible to wear his shoes. I will do my best to continue in his footsteps. I know it will not be easy but I will try to sustain the continuity. I crave your indulgence to ask for one thing: If I happen to step on your Toes, please, tell me immediately.

As your Parish Priest now, we have the opportunity and a platform to alleviate the effects of the COVID19 Pandemic.

It is only as one Family, the Church, that we may begin to work out the possible forms of pastoral and societal reengineering and fulfilment of the mandate of Jesus: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations.” May God bless you all in Jesus name,

Amen.
Father Anthony.