“The more I journey into the priesthood, the more it becomes clear to me that this is what God wants me to do.” — Deacon Collins Anaeche

Archdiocese will greet new priest on May 17
By Mary Chalupsky and Roberta Tuttle

HARTFORD – A native of Nigeria will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Hartford at 10 a.m. May 17 in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

For Deacon Collins Anaeche, it will mark the end of a long journey and the beginning of life in the Order of Presbyter.

The roots of Deacon Anaeche’s vocation trace back to the indomitable faith of his parents and family.

“My parents are strong Catholics,” he said. “Growing up, I always felt so much love from my parents and family. We went to church together every Sunday, and every day we prayed the rosary together as a family (of eight children).

“These are the things that helped me take my relationship with God very seriously,” he said.

Even his middle name – Ifeanyichukwu, meaning “with God, all things are possible” – is reflective of the deep devotion of his parents, who gave all their children spiritual middle names.

A native of Nigeria, Deacon Anaeche, 28, is the second child of Simon and Enderline Anaeche of Umume Obodoukwu, Imo State.

He attended a Catholic middle and high school in a nearby town, and served as an altar server in his local parish, where he was influenced by his pastor.

“Growing up, I had a sense of God’s special love for me,” he said.

“Looking at my life I can see the love of God leading me, and it is this love that I desire to share with his people,” he noted. “I just like being there for other people.”

After high school, he began entertaining several pursuits, such as going to college to study civil law. “But the thought of becoming a priest became very strong in me,” he said.

Thinking about becoming a missionary, he entered the St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart, popularly known as the Josephites. He did his studies in philosophy and humanities at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary in Gwagwalada, Nigeria.

Upon finishing his undergraduate studies in 2003, the community sent him to the United States for his graduate studies in theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. While studying in Washington, he decided that he was not called to the Josephite Society. “But I still wanted to be a priest,” said Deacon Anaeche.

After discussing it with his spiritual director and exploring options, he was encouraged to apply to the Archdiocese of Hartford to become a diocesan priest. Upon being accepted, he was sent to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., to complete his studies.

Ministry assignments have included St. Mary Parish in Newington in the summer of 2006; St. Mary of Sorrow Parish in Fairfax, Va., from 2006 to 2007; and St. Martha Parish in Enfield last summer.

He is finishing a weekend ministry assignment as a deacon at St. Benedict Parish in Baltimore, Md.

“He has a deep devotion to the Church, and a great sense of the international scope of the Gospel,” said Father Michael J. Dolan, archdiocesean director of vocations. “His attention to the needs of the people and desire to help others grow in the faith is beautiful.”

Among some of his other interests are sports, especially soccer, tennis and volleyball, listening to good music, “intellectual discussion” and spending time with friends.

Deacon Anaeche graduated May 2 with a Master of Divinity degree in theology (M.Div) and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology Degree (S.T.B).

Although excited about his ordination, a special joy will be having his parents come from Nigeria to attend his graduation, ordination and first public Mass.

He will celebrate his first public Mass at St. Martha Parish in Enfield on May 18 – a date that also marks his birthday, which he believes is especially providential.

For his ordination prayer card, he chose Psalm 116:12-13 as the Scripture passage: “What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”

“My seminary formation program has really helped me to deepen my relationship with the Lord,” said Deacon Anaeche.

“Indeed, my relationship with God is what animates my life and vocation,” he added. “The more I journey into the priesthood, the more it becomes clear to me that this is what God wants me to do.”

Recognizing that there will be difficult moments ahead, he states that with confidence in God, “I know I will be able to draw upon that sense of happiness and peace.

“Even in the midst of difficulties and challenges, I can look back now and see the hand of God in all of it,” he said. “This is the love that I want to share with his people – to be a witness of his love and truth.”