The Reverend Vincent Jekwu Obi

Father Vincent Jekwu Obi, a priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria, was born on March 20, 1969 in Uruorji village of Anambra State, Nigeria. He is the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Obi.

In 1990, he entered All Hallows' Seminary in Onitsha for special classes in Latin Language. When he completed his studies in Latin, he was assigned to the Archdiocesan Secretariat for two years junior apostolate. He served as the Archdiocesan Public Relations Officer and as the Secretary to Msgr. Oke .P. Achebe, Chancellor of the Archdiocese. After completing his apostolate at the Archdiocesan Secretariat, he began his Spiritual Year at St. Pius X Seminary, AkwuUkwu, in October 1992. In 1993, he entered Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, to study philosophy and earned his B. Phil. Degree in 1997. After serving as Coordinator in the Archdiocesan Secretariat, he returned to Bigard Memorial Seminary for four years of theological studies, earning his B.Th. degree in 2002. During his seminary years, he was assigned to parishes for pastoral experience.

Father Vincent Obi was ordained a priest on August 17, 2002, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Onitsha, by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Albert Obiefuna, then Archbishop of Onitsha. After ordination, he was assigned to Kristi Bu Chukwu ("Christ is God") Parish in Ogwuikpelle. He served as Parish Vicar and vice principal at St. Paul Parish Secondary School, Ogwuikpelle. In 2004, he was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Fegge-Onitsha, as Parish Vicar. While at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, he completed a post graduate diploma in education. He also served as chaplain to many parish organizations.

In 2006, he was assigned to St. Paul Parish, Omasi-Agu in Ayamelum founding Pastor. The focus of his ministry in this small village parish was grass root evangelization. His ministry flourished and after six years the life of faith has grown significantly. When he arrived at the parish, only the church was under construction. By the time he was preparing to leave for the service of the Church in the Diocese of Belleville, the church building, the rectory, and the Divine Mercy Chapel of Adoration were completed and dedicated. The parish school nursery, a primary and secondary school, a Grotto of Our Lady, Calvary, a Grotto of St. Paul, and a Grotto of St. Anthony were also built during Fr. Obi's time at St. Paul Parish.

Commenting on these very fruitful years at St. Paul Parish, Fr. Obi, whose name means "ancestral home," said, "The goal of all of these activities was to evangelize and build up the life of faith among the people. Little by little, more and more people became aware of the presence of God in their lives. The Catholic population grew larger and larger, from 260 to 400. All of the people in the community were experiencing the good work that Christ was accomplishing in their midst. I hope that as I learn about the life and needs of the Church in Belleville, my ministry here will be fruitful."

• St. Polycarp
• Wednesday 3 p.m.
• Thursday 8:30 a.m.
• Friday 8:30 a.m.
• Sunday 10 a.m.


• St. Patrick
• Tuesday 7 p.m.
• Wednesday 7 p.m.
• Saturday 5 p.m.
• Sunday 8 a.m.


• Wabash Christian
  Retirement Center
• 2nd & 4th Wed.
  each month