Vocations Spotlight: Fr Alvan Ibeh SMMM

As the Diocese of East Anglia continues to celebrate its 50th Jubilee Year, we are shining a spotlight on the people who live out their vocations in service to our diocesan family. Each month, we meet a member of our clergy or someone in formation, reflecting on their call, their ministry and their hopes for the future.

This month, we hear from Fr Alvan Ibeh SMMM, Priest at St Peter’s Church in Gorleston, who shares how his vocation first took shape, what inspires him in his ministry today, and why fostering vocations remains vital to the life of our diocese.

I grew up in a Catholic family that was religious but not very strict, and Sunday Mass was always a must. From my primary school days, I felt drawn to the altar. I sensed something inside me, like Samuel in the Bible, though I did not know what it was. I first wanted to join the altar servers because they were young like me, and I wanted to be with them in the sanctuary. I never imagined myself as a priest, since our parish priest was old and strict. When I told my parents I wanted to be an altar server, they supported me, and I joined. Over time, I watched the priest closely during Mass, and after church, I would dress up in my mum’s clothes and pretend to be a priest with my siblings. This made me happy and made me want to be a priest even more. Meeting a young seminarian in our parish and getting encouragement from my family helped me say yes to the call.

What gives me the most purpose and joy in my ministry is being there for people during important times, like illness, grief, reconciliation, fear, or when they return to the faith. Making God’s children smile brings me real happiness and satisfaction.

In 13 years of my priestly ministry, mostly here in the Diocese (except two years in Nigeria), I see how I have improved. I have become more open and freer in my interactions with people from different nationalities and religious backgrounds, knowing God loves everyone.

The Diocese of East Anglia holds meaning for me, as it is where I first experienced being a missionary abroad, working both as an assistant parish priest and as a school and hospital chaplain. These have been amazing experiences.

Promoting and supporting vocations in the diocese is so much needed at this time, as I can sense a massive growth in the population of the faithful of this diocese. For this growth to be maintained, there is a need for more priests for the diocese. There is a need for young people in the diocese to start saying yes to the call while they are young and vibrant. This can only happen when a vocation to the priesthood is promoted and supported massively.

For those who are beginning to wonder whether God might be calling them, I would say, “Don’t be a Jonah.” Don’t try to run from it. One thing is that once God calls you, you cannot run away from it. Don’t shy away because you feel you are not worthy. Fulton J. Sheen once said, “No one is worthy to be a priest. God does not call us because we are qualified; He qualifies us when He calls us” (1 Corinthians 1:27). It is not about you; it is about God who has called you, and He who calls you is faithful (I Thessalonians 5:23–24). So do not be afraid to say “yes”. I said “yes” 13 years ago, and now, getting to 14 years this year, there have been no regrets. So speak to a priest today for direction.

Parishes with a lot of young people should be organising activities that will aim at promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Parish priests should encourage young people and their parents during their homilies, especially when we celebrate Vocation Sunday. There is also a need for the vocation team to work in conjunction with the Ignite team and visit parishes and schools. This, I think, will make a great impact. Young people want to hear about the life of a priest, and they have a lot of questions to ask.

Looking ahead, I am hopeful that in the next few years, with the interest the bishop has shown in promoting vocations in the diocese, coupled with the work the Ignite team is doing, there will likely be a great improvement in the number of young people embracing the vocation to the priesthood and religious life. There is hope indeed.

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