Mission Statement
We the people of St. Jude Parish celebrate the presence of Christ in every aspect of our daily lives. We are dedicated to the Word of God and find strength and joy in celebrating Eucharist. As parishioners we commit ourselves to share our time and talent and our treasures for the good of our parish family. We are a diverse community and we celebrate our diversity. We pledge ourselves to promote social justice in our cities and neighborhoods. We welcome all people to join us.
REV. DR. MICHAEL C. NKACHUKWU
ANSWERING THE CLARION CALL TO KNOW & SERVE JESUS CHRIST:
Father Michael Chidi Nkachukwu was born on September 29, 1950, in the state of Imo, located in southeastern Nigeria. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Nkachukwu, were natives of the local government area of Aboh Mbaise and were both school teachers in a Catholic Mission. He is the sixth child in large family of nine children.
Due to the influence of some Irish missionaries, Father Michael became an altar boy at a very young age and subsequently developed a burning desire to become a Catholic priest. As he was considered too young to truly understand the implications of what the
Catholic priesthood was all about, his desires were not taken seriously. Besides, girls seemed to like him too much to allow him to pursue and realize this vocation. In the end, Father’s Michael’s steadfast and quiet determination- coupled with divine guidance- won out and he later entered the Seminary. The rest, shall we say, is history!
Father Michael’s early education began at St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School (Umuhu) and St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School (Upe Imerienwe), both in Imo. The first High School he entered was Stella Maris (Port Harcourt). Due to the spiritual influence of †Bishop Godfrey Mary Paul Okoye (1915-1977), then-prelate of the local Diocese, Father Michael enrolled at Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Port Harcourt, in 1965. After completing his Major Seminary studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Father Michael was ordained a priest by Bishop Michael Eneja, successor of †Bishop Okoye, on July 26, 1976.
After his ordination, Father Michael served in numerous pastoral capacities in Nigeria while continuing educational pursuits which included the University of Nigeria (Nsukka, Enugu State); Bigard Memorial Major Seminary (Enugu, Enugu State), in affiliation with the Pontifical Urban University (Rome); Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), in affiliation with the University of Calabar (Cross River).
Father Michael arrived in the United States in 1989, excited to begin his ministry in a new land. Prior to becoming a Maize and Blue transplant, Father Michael served in St Peter Claver parish in the Garden State of New Jersey. Included in Father Michael’s post-graduate and professional degrees and certificates are Mater Specialist in Philosophy; Certification in Jail Ministry; a Master’s in Pastoral Theology; and a Doctorate in Applied Ministry.
Father Michael enjoys a variety of hobbies which include reading novels, recreational writing, listening to music, playing lawn and table tennis, watching sports (especially soccer, hockey, and basketball), and admiring the works of nature. Father Michael’s philosophy of life is simple and straightforward, namely, “Life is too brief to be wasted.” This philosophy has propelled him to apply himself assiduously to whatever work or ministry he is performing unto the Lord. His hope and prayer are that children of God do not waste their talents and blessings.
