Release party Friday for book penned by La Grande reverend

Rev. Christopher Agoha of La Grande is a man of deep faith, letters and multiple languages.

Agoha is also an individual with a profound appreciation of Oregon’s natural beauty.

The book-launching party begins at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley with a dinner to be followed by the reading.

Copies of the 72-page book, which contains many color photographs of Oregon’s natural wonders, will be available at the party.

Agoha writes in the book of how his attitude toward nature was once “lackadaisical’’ but this has changed dramatically.

“All of a sudden, a thunderbolt of change flashed in my mind. This metamorphosis of thought transformed my perspective of nature from that of a remote and routine existence to a coexisting wonder,’’Agoha writes.

He said nature speaks to him deeply.

“I hear the voice of love in the presence of nature, as it produces the echoes of melodious songs of wisdom. The wisdom rejuvenates my world views philosophically, logically and theologically. I now understand that all beauty and all that is good stem from God who is ultimate reality ... ’’

Agoha, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, is in his fourth year as head pastor of Our Lady of the Valley. He has three degrees, including a doctorate with a specialization in Canon Law from the University of Trier in Germany. Agoha speaks a number of languages including Spanish, Latin and German.

Agoha is also the author of “The Ecclesiastical Foundation of the Consecrated Life,’’ which was published several years ago. Agoha’s latest work was printed by Xlibris Book Publishing Company of Bloomington, Ind.

The Friday book-launching party at Our Lady of the Valley begins at 6 p.m. with a dinner to be followed by a reading by Agoha. The dinner is free and open to everyone, but individuals should RSVP to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church by Thursday by calling 541-963-7341.