Dear Beloved NICC Family,
As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Light of the world, I extend to each of you my warmest Christmas greetings. During this holy season, we rejoice that the Son of God took on our human nature for the sake of our salvation. As Scripture proclaims, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). With grateful and joyful hearts, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ – Emmanuel, God-with-us, God is truly with us and is among us. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed, grace-filled New Year!
It has now been two years since I began serving as your Chaplain, and I want you to know how truly grateful and joyful I am to minister among the Nigerian Igbo Catholic Community within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. During this time, I have been blessed to encounter many members of our community – our founding fathers, long-standing members, newly registered families, those who join us occasionally, and even those who, for various personal reasons, have not been worshipping with us regularly at our monthly Igbo Masses.
I recognize that there are many reasons why some members may step away from active participation. Your experiences and concerns are important. Please know that the Coordinating Council and I are here, ready to listen, to answer questions as best we can, and to help you reconnect with the community. The NICC is truly enriched by your presence, and I, as your Chaplain, sincerely wish to be of support to you. If you are considering returning, know that you are always welcome back to this beloved community – where faith and culture come together to nurture our children in Igbo religious and cultural heritage within the rich and enduring tradition of our Catholic faith. If you wish to speak privately, please feel free to contact me at hokeke@niccchurch.org. Thank you for your prayers and continued support.
From the moment I first joined the NICC in 2013, shortly after my diaconate and priestly ordinations here in Baltimore as the first Nigerian ordained for priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, I have wholeheartedly embraced the mission of the NICC. Our community exists to bring alive Igbo religious and cultural heritage, Catholic faith, family values, and moral formation as a private association of the Christian faithful under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Rooted firmly in the Roman Catholic faith, the NICC has grown as a dedicated community committed to promoting both Catholic life and Igbo cultural identity among families in the Baltimore metropolitan area and beyond.
Through the celebration of the Holy Mass in the Igbo language, stewardship, fellowship, service, and cultural engagement, the NICC has continued to foster unity and faith. Together, through commitment and perseverance, we strive to remain a welcoming community that reflects the love and teachings of Jesus Christ while continuing to open our doors to new members.
Indeed, the NICC has a proud history as a place where faith, hope, and loving service have flourished among Igbo Catholics in this region. As members of this community, we strive to grow as faith-filled men, women, and children through both prayer and action, especially in preserving and promoting our Igbo religious and cultural heritage. I remain deeply grateful for the strong foundation laid by our founding members and clergy, including Fr. Paul Anekwe, Fr. Tony Nwachukwu-Udaku, Fr. Desmond Ohankwere, Msgr. Felix Ojimba, Fr. Ilokaba, Fr. Anselm Nworgu, Fr. Ferdinand Madu, Fr. Anyanwu, Fr. Cyril Nwankwo, Fr. Camillus Ugwu, Fr. Nelson Ogwuegbu, Fr. Ugwuegbulem, and Fr. Anthony Abiamiri.
At the same time, we must acknowledge the deep pain caused by the prolonged conflict that affected our community between 2018 and 2023. These years brought significant hardship, including legal disputes, strained relationships, mistrust, and challenges in governance and transparency. While many faithful members demonstrated resilience, love, and commitment during this difficult period, it was nonetheless a painful chapter in our history. I truly wish it had never occurred.
Yet Scripture reminds us, “In all circumstances, give thanks to God” (1 Thess. 5:18). We thank God for His intervention through the Archdiocese of Baltimore in August 2023, which provided a framework for renewal and healing. Over the past two years, we have been rebuilding our community – working intentionally to restore trust, unity, and mutual respect. I invite you to continue praising God for His mercy and seeking His guidance so that our past experiences may strengthen us and help us become an even more united, faith-filled community, especially for the formation of our children in both Igbo heritage and Catholic faith.
When I was appointed Chaplain in August 2023, while continuing my responsibilities as a priest and Canon Lawyer for the Archdiocese, I immediately began working, with the support of our Coordinating Council Chairman, Mr. Achike Oranye, past chairmen, and council members, to address longstanding issues, including legal disputes and administrative challenges. Together, we have been restructuring the NICC to better align with its mission and canonical identity, while ensuring compliance with civil and ecclesial requirements. Important steps have been taken to address financial obligations, property insurance, taxes, and maintenance of our property at 6510 Old Harford Road, which remains our sole physical asset.
Recognizing that many of our past difficulties stemmed from organizational challenges, especially within the NICCWO, critical reforms have been introduced. I am encouraged by the renewed growth of our youth choir and by the dedication of our current leadership. I extend my sincere gratitude to our Chairman and Coordinating Council members for their quiet perseverance, faithful service, and commitment despite lingering challenges. While much work remains, I firmly believe that God will continue to raise up faithful leaders – men, women, youth, and young adults – to carry forward our mission.
The property at 6510 Old Harford Road, acquired through the leadership of Fr. Anthony Abiamiri and Chief Patrick Nwakuba, stands as a testament to their vision and sacrifice. May God bless them for the legacy they entrusted to us. However, the property also carries significant financial responsibilities, including taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Due to past legal complications, tax exemptions were not secured, resulting in annual tax obligations of approximately $17,000. As a result, a substantial portion of our income is currently dedicated to maintaining this property.
While I remain deeply grateful for your generosity, we must now face these realities together and prayerfully discern the best path forward regarding the future of the property. Previous efforts to explore alternative options were met with mixed responses, and we must now move forward with clarity, unity, and courage. As we look ahead with gratitude and hope, I share with you this pastoral vision:
▪ Strengthening spiritual life through retreats and regular prayer opportunities
▪ Continued growth of the youth choir
▪ Establishment of a Finance Committee with professional expertise
▪ Greater accountability and transparency through quarterly financial reports and town-hall meetings
▪ Formation of a Building Committee to recommend sustainable options for our property
▪ Capital fundraising initiatives to meet our long-term needs
▪ Intentional reconciliation and renewed engagement of all members.
As we celebrate Christmas and prepare for the New Year, the Nigerian Igbo Catholic Community (NICC) will celebrate 30 years of existence next year 2026. This important milestone invites us to give thanks to God for three decades of faith, sacrifice, perseverance, and growth within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Of course, celebrating 30 years is about renewing our commitment to the future, and not just remembering the past. This anniversary offers us a sacred opportunity to honor our founders and early members, recognize the dedication of those who have sustained the community through joyful and challenging times, and recommit ourselves to the mission entrusted to us.
My suggestion is to celebrate this milestone meaningfully by inviting the Archbishop of Baltimore to offer a solemn anniversary Thanksgiving Mass, offered in Igbo and English, to thank God for His faithfulness and to pray for continued unity, healing, and growth. I pray we can use this anniversary to honoring founding members, past NICC liaisons (chaplains), leaders, and faithful servants who laid and nurtured the foundation of NICC. Additionally, we can use it as a moment to deepen healing, restore trust, and strengthen bonds of love and fraternity within the community. We also can use it as an opportunity to launch initiatives that will strengthen NICC for the future – whether through capital campaigns, or sustainable planning for raising fundings for our ministries and resources.
I invite you to journey with me as we rebuild and renew the NICC, making it once again a source of pride for our Igbo Catholic community in Baltimore. As the Lord promises in Scripture, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9).
As many of you travel to celebrate Christmas, I pray for your safety and God’s protection. Please take care and travel only when it is safe to do so. I wish you and your loved ones a joyous and blessed Christmas. May the birth of Jesus remind us that God’s love is stronger than all our present challenges, fears, and even death. May Christ, the true Light of the world, be born ever more deeply in our hearts, bringing peace, hope, and salvation today and throughout the coming New Year. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
With prayers and gratitude,
Fr. Hamilton