Pastor Assignments Take Effect Aug. 3: Father Kelechi Alozie

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Fr. Kelechi Alozie

Fr. Kelechi Alozie is a native of Umuagbai in Aba Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. He did his philosophical studies at Claretian University, Maryland Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria, which is affiliated with the Pontifical University in Rome, Italy, where he earned three bachelor’s degrees. He then attended the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology. He also has a diploma in Spanish from the Universidad de Gran Colombia, Bogotá.

He was ordained a priest on June 28, 2008, in Soacha Bosa, Cundinamarca, Colombia by Bishop Daniel Caro Borda, after which he ministered for two years in St. Joseph Church, Aba, Nigeria. This was followed by another two years in two parishes in the Aba diocese. He then proceeded to the United States, where he ministered in Los Angeles for eight years. In 2020 he arrived in the Diocese of Salt Lake City and was assigned as parochial vicar of St. George Parish in St. George. On Aug. 3 he will begin his new assignment as administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Magna.

What would you like your new parishioners to know about you?

It is my wish that they would see me as a member of the parish community and as their priest. I would like them to understand that we have a common mission that is the mission of Our Lord Jesus. I would like to be identified with them through my pastoral commitment. I will also engage with spiritual direction when needed, and add value to different faith communities.

What are you looking forward to most about your new assignment?

I am looking forward to developing a good pastoral relationship with the parishioners, where everybody will be loved, honored and respected. In other words, it is my desire to create a healthy spiritual environment for the members of my parish community.

As a priest, what has been your greatest challenge?

The issue of challenges in life is natural. My greatest challenge in life was the death of my parents, which was very traumatic, not only to me but to my entire family.  I felt that I had lost everything. Emotionally I was traumatized. I survived the challenge through the grace of God.

As a priest, what has been your most satisfying experience?

My most satisfying experience is when I discharge my priestly duty well and witness a positive result. I am also fulfilled when I see the expression of joy and happiness among the people of God during/after the celebration of any of the sacraments. And the least but not the last, when I see the growth of faith in the lives of the people to whom I have ministered, I am indeed satisfied.