After 7 years, Father Nich is moving on in his future. Fr. Nich has been the longest serving priest here at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Blanco and Good Shepherd in Johnson City.

When Fr. Nich came to St. Ferdinand and Good Shepherd, he brought with him words of the Good News of Jesus, Words of wisdom we needed to hear. But most of all, he brought unity in our church family. Fr. Nich would shoot from the hip, so to speak.

God gave him this gift to give each person, words of the encouragement they needed to hear and hope. His homilies were always something we need to be reminded of; he made sure no one slept while giving one. Often some members would come out of Mass, saying “Wow, he must have known what I needed to hear,” or “This homily was meant for me.”

Rev. Fr. Nichodemus Obioma Ejimabo’s last mass was in attendance by his father, Chief Boniface Ejimabo. You see, not only was Fr. Nich our priest, he is also a Prince in his country of the Ibo tribe of Orlu state of eastern Nigeria. He was also a former striker on the Nigerian national soccer team, the “Super Eagles.”

So, if you are a soccer fan, and have been watching the FIFA World Cup from Africa, so was he. I’m sure a little bit of him misses that part of life, but this didn’t stop him in Blanco; many of you were his greatest opponents in tennis.

Fr. Nich always reminded us to love one another. And made sure we knew that Jesus was alive in each and every one of us. He will tell you today that Blanco is the center of the universe.

Nigeria shared this good man with Blanco and now it is our time to share him with the rest of the world. Farwell our Prince of Blanco, the center of the universe.

Father Nich taught us a prayer we still say each week. “Jesus, I love you, all I have is yours, yours I am and yours I want to be, then do with me as thy will.”

All he asked in his final remarks was to pray for him. Father Nich will always have our love and prayers. We pray with hope as God shows him His will.

Fr. Nich came to us as Rev. Fr. Nichodemus Obioma Ejimabo, he now leaves us as the Rev. Dr. Nichodemus Obioma Ejimabo.

We are proud of you! We love you! Our homes are your homes always and forever. Shalom Rev. Dr. Nich.

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord. Plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.” --Jeremiah 29:11