A very sad note was slipped into the festivities at St. Mary's last Sunday. The last of the final announcements was made by Father Anthony Omenihu, who revealed that this had been his last Mass at St. Mary's.
He explained that he had been on a 5 month assignment that was now (technically) over. First he would go on retreat and, after that, vacation, serving the rest of his 5 month term in absentia. He expressed his gratitude and love for his people, then processed down the center aisle to fall in behind the sacred image of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the celebratory procession through the streets of downtown Yonkers.
Father Anthony Ekanem had been the pastor of "Immaculate Mary" for 5 years, following the tenure of Monsignor Corrigan, who had served the parish since 1987, hosted the parish centennial in 1992 and wrote a most excellent history of the parish (Msgr. Corrigan’s Book Is a Piece of History). Father Anthony Omenihu began to say Mass at St. Mary's in July when the parish was merged with St. Peter/St. Denis and Father Ekanem was reassigned.
I had very little personal contact with Father Anthony, but I regard him with a great deal of respect. His love and respect for the people is palpable, obvious in how he addressed us and conferred the special blessings at the end of the Mass. Especially endearing was the fatherly way he addressed the young people, aware of how important their faith will be for the rest of their lives and the life of the Church.
He also deserves credit for his linguistic ability, addressing us in English and Spanish with an accent that revealed that he was not a native speaker of either. Most of all he walked an archdiocesan tightrope with grace: obedience to his Ordinary on one end and affection for his flock on the other: a flock who did not want their parish to close and are trying to hold on to their church.
If the people had known that this was his last Mass they would have organized a reception to express their love and gratitude. They would have given him a festive celebration that pushed the sadness of separation aside, at least for a while.
I hope that some of his close associates took him out for a nice dinner and all of the accolades his humility could tolerate,
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