Father Michael Angula, a citizen of Nigeria, Africa, was born March 11, 1968. He was ordained a Catholic priest on Aug. 6, 1994, for the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria. After a year-long struggle with cancer, he died on Jan. 29, 2010.

Michael was assigned as a parish priest at St. Thomas Parish, Gboko, Nigeria, and then as the secretary to the Bishop of Makurdi from 1995 to 2002. He arrived in the United States in 2002.

Michael served as a chaplain at Queen of the Valley Medical Center for several years, and for the last couple years he was the associate pastor at St. Helena Catholic Church.

He was a gentle and calm person with a wonderful smile and a ready laugh.

Michael experienced a fainting spell while celebrating Mass Feb. 1, 2009. He was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Because of his youth and positive attitude, Michael not only survived much longer than expected, but was active and involved until he had a setback on Christmas Eve. After three weeks at the Queen, he returned to the parish residence under the care of Hospice.

We are most grateful to the staff of Queen of the Valley, whose care was extraordinary. When he returned to the parish, Joan Warner was his caregiver and was with Michael constantly during his last days. And, as usual, the Hospice team was very supportive.

There will be a rosary/prayer service on Thursday evening, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m., and funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday evening, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. Both services will be held at St. Helena Catholic Church. A reception in the parish school auditorium will follow after Friday’s service.

Father Michael’s body will be sent back to his home in Nigeria and to his mother, Jacintha, and family.

Morrison Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

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