Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Organizers of the event on the afternoon of June, 30, 2024, chose to hold the farewell potluck lunch at the Bataan Memorial Park Pavilion. Parishioners and friends of Father Bartholomew Ezenwelem, including other priests from the region, Father Kasimir from Hurley and Father Emmanuel from Alamogordo. The attendees filled all tables and extra chairs. The meal was catered and attendees provided side dishes and lots of desserts.Â
Robert Lopez served as master of ceremonies for the program. His wife, Danna Lopez, parish secretary, served as one of the organizers, as did Shannon Mittica, and others. [Editor's Note: Please email
Entertainment included the Silver Stompers and Angelica Padilla, who sang to the audience and serenaded Father Bartholomew.
This photographer took snapshots of tables full of people, without their expecting their pictures to be taken.
At the front table, two large letters, E and Z flanked the table. Those stood for the first two letters of Father's last name, as the troops have had trouble pronouncing his name, so they just call him Captain EZ.
Father Bartholomew has participated and trained for several years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is leaving the parish, having been called to active duty, as the Catholic Chaplain at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Robert Lopez, who served in the Navy as a medic for Marine Corps troops, thanked Father for becoming a military chaplain, as he had appreciated having Catholic chaplains everywhere he served.
A photographer was on hand to take photos of anyone who wanted have their picture taken with Father [which was just about everyone]. She also recorded short video comments from parishioners wishing to tell Father how much they appreciated his service to the parish.
Gifts from the parish included a custom-made cassock with an embroidered image of St. Francis of Assisi on the back of it for Father to remember St. Francis Newman Center Parish of Silver City, as well as a digital frame full of photos that the organizers had compiled.
Father Bartholomew thanked the parishioners for all they have done for him. He often called the women his mother and the children his sons or daughters. He said he considered the parishioners his family.
[Author's Note: We will miss his smiling face.]
To pause the slide show, mouse over the image.
