Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to welcome a new priest with the ordination of Sebastine Okoye

June 1, 2013

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will welcome a new priest with the ordination of Sebastine Okoye
By Catherine Rogan, Media Relations Specialist, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

On Saturday, June 1, 2013, Catholics throughout the Houston-Galveston area will welcome a new priest when Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ordains Sebastine Okoye at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway in downtown Houston.

“Sebastine has walked a long journey to his goal of priesthood,” said Cardinal DiNardo. “I congratulate him on his perseverance and commitment to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.”

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Okoye first felt a calling to the priesthood at the age of 18 after an encounter with a charismatic Dominican Bishop, Ayo Maria, O.P. at a retreat in his home parish. He thought and prayed about this urge for a few years, then, at the age of 22, Okoye took a leap of faith and applied for the seminary. While leaving the life he was familiar with was challenging, he had tremendous support from his family, especially his mother, and his friends.

Okoye first learned about the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 2006 after reading about it on the Internet. “One of the things that ultimately drew me to this Archdiocese is the growing Catholic population. When I read about it, the thought came to me that the Spirit of God is alive in that Archdiocese,” said Okoye.

He contacted Father Clint Ressler, who, at the time, was the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese, and arranged to visit. “I visited some lively parishes which confirmed my thoughts that the Church of God is alive in Galveston-Houston,” he said.

Okoye has been studying at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston since 2007. On June 1, his new life in the priesthood begins. He said he is most looking forward to “the privilege of celebrating the Sacraments, and working as a humble servant of Christ Jesus.” Above all, he continued, “I am looking forward to a greater encounter with Christ Jesus through a deeper knowledge and relationship with him…and I am asking Jesus to help me to be a gift to His people.”