The Rev. Maurice Emelu is a Catholic priest in residence at Our Lady of Peace Church located at E. 126th Street and Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland. On Sunday, December 26, 2010 Fr. Maurice celebrated the first Igbo Catholic Mass in the Diocese of Cleveland.
The Igbo people are an ethnic group that are native to southeastern Nigeria and this is the first Igbo speaking Mass in the area, possibly in all of Ohio.
Fr. Gary Chmura, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church said, "It was a wonderful, inspiring example of bringing communities together to praise our Lord."
There is an Igbo Mass, with translations provided, the last Sunday of each month. The next Igbo liturgy will be Sunday, March 27, followed by Easter Sunday, April 24, both starting at 1:00 p.m. Fr. Maurice will be the celebrant. A reception will immediate follow the Masses in Cummins Halls at Our Lady of Peace parish.
"It would be heartwarming and gracious to have a number of parishioners show their support of these history making events," said Fr. Chmura. "In addition to showering you with blessings for your efforts to exhibit welcoming to the Nigerian Catholic Community to Our Lady of Peace," he added.