I'm Rev Fr Samuel Chinemerem Okoroafor. I was born in Nigeria in July 1985 and was ordained 8 years ago. I'm the third child in the family of six. My father has passed away and my mother lives at home in Nigeria.
Since my ordination, I have worked as an Assistant Parish Priest for 2 years, Vice Rector in the Seminary and lastly as a Parish Priest in a growing Church Community for the last 5 years before coming to Australia.
Ordination to the Priesthood has been the happiest thing that have ever happened to me and I cherished the Priesthood so much. I have observed that vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life is a big challenge to the Diocese and environs. I will be praying for the spirit of vocation upon the young people in the Diocese.
Coming to Australia I didn't have many expectations since I'm entering into a new culture and a new way of living. I wish to learn from the people, and they will learn from me too.
I've seen different environment, culture and infrastructure and different way of operation in the life of the Church. I'm putting my mind to understand and get the best out of them.
As I have observed and seen so far, the Diocese has a light difference from the way they operates. From the bishop to those working with him.
Of course, as with many new overseas Priests, communication is a challenge to start with, but I'm adjusting gradually as to hearing the people and the people hearing me. I am also getting used to the food, time difference and the environment.
In my ministry back home, I was previously a Chaplain of a youth movement of my Diocese and Province called Young Catholic Students (YCS). I have worked in the youth area since my first placement.
Lastly, I wish to express my unalloyed gratitude to His Grace Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji for finding me worthy for this mission in Rockhampton Diocese in Australia and to Most Rev Michael McCarthy for accepting me to work in his Diocese and for his paternal care towards me since my arrival.
At the moment, I'm working with the Rockhampton Parish with the Cathedral of St Joseph as the centre. This is my first pastoral placement.