It was evening of celebration in Warrington, as Fr Raymond Anyanwu CSSp celebrated his silver jubilee of priesthood.

Since 1999, Fr Raymond has been a priest in several different countries. He was ordained in Nigeria and has also been a priest in Senegal and South Africa before making his home in Warrington for the last six years.

He celebrated his 25 years of priesthood with a special Mass held at St Joseph’s, with a full Church. People from across the parish attended well, while priests from the local deanery and other priests from the CSSp order were all concelebrating.

Just like on Pentecost Sunday, Fr Raymond had the Indian Community Band lead the procession in, before Mass got underway.

Fr Brendan Aroh, formerly of St Mary and St John parish in Newton-le-Willows, and of the same order, did the homily. The pair were in school and trained for the priesthood together. He brought up memories of them playing football, and had plenty of funny stories about Fr Raymond, and also praised his character, and what he has brought to the priesthood.

Children from local schools St Joseph’s, St Vincent’s and St Gregory’s Catholic Primary Schools also did Prayers of the Faithful.

After Mass had ended, Fr Raymond was presented with not one, but two Papal Blessings. One was from the Deanery (Warrington and Widnes) and the other from the parish.

Also, as the next day was his birthday, he was also presented with a bottle of whiskey from the other priests in the deanery. He was presented with it by Canon Dave Heywood, Area Dean.

After posing outside for photographs, everyone then went onto the Parish Centre, where there was food and live music. Fr Raymond also cut the celebration cake.