Fides Media Living the Faith
By Sunny A. Ijomah
St. Joseph’s PRO Cathedral, Asaba, Delta State, has honoured a total of 100 elderly parishioners who have attained 80 years of age and above, with a call on individuals in society to always show love and care for the elderly.
In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Cyril Anene admonished Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ whom, he said, was a shepherd to every man on earth, adding that caring for the elderly attracted blessings from God.
He urged the younger ones to learn and draw inspiration from the older ones so that they could teach them the secret of growing older.
Rev. Fr. Anene urged Christians to strengthen their relationship with God through prayers, explaining that the only way to live well in old age was to live within God and abstain from sins.
He said that the celebration was a pointer to the fact that the old people were important aspect of their lives in the parish and stressed the need for people to encourage the participation of the older persons in society and in the Church.
While describing old age as a very critical point of life of individuals, Rev. Fr. Anene stated that celebrating them would give them more reasons to be stronger.
Earlier, some of the awardees, including Ogbueshi Paul Chukwurah and Madam Roseline Uzonicha Anene, said that they were overwhelmed by the gesture and lauded the church for deeming it fit to celebrate them.
Ogbueshi Chukwurah, who enjoined the younger ones to do things moderately, respect their elders and do things that would please God, prayed for members of the church to attain their age for celebrating them.
Madam Anene specifically recalled how she was baptized in the church 79 years ago, adding that Christians should embrace the doctrines of Jesus Christ at all times.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Jonathan Allanah of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oduke, said that celebrating the elderly was an indication that one hoped to live up to their age and described the initiative as a welcome development.