By Michael Nnebife and Amos Yakubu
St Augustine’s Parish, Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, was on Sunday, 1st September, 2024, agog with pomp and ceremony like no other, as she celebrated no fewer than 42 elders in her fold, comprising octogenarians, nonagenarians, and a super centenarian, Pa Ezike Okoye, who is above 115 years old.
According to the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Jude Ikechukwu Nwankwo, the essence of the celebration, which many adjudged to be a moment of thanksgiving, included recognizing the glorious golden ages of the elders, reminding them of their yesteryears, and offering them an opportunity to enjoy Sunday Eucharistic Mass, among others.
The Parish Priest, who prayed for good health for the elders, said many of them had been confined in homes by old age, resulting in their inability to attend Sunday Masses anymore.
‘Once in a month, we do visit them in their respective homes; but today we want them to experience God in the church as we rejoice with them, celebrate them and thank God for blessing them with longevity,’ the Priest told Fides shortly after a Holy Mass in which the epoch-making event took place.
In a homily during the Mass, the Vicar of the Parish, Rev Fr Stephen Echezona, said the celebration was honour in Christ, which, he believed, would renew the elders’ lives and faith in God.
The Vicar, who said that longevity came through living a life of obedience to God’s instructions, admonished the congregation that filled the magnificent temple of St Augustine’s Parish to the brim, to always endeavour to obey God’s commandments for them to gain salvation.
Saying that salvation came through only obedience to God’s commandments and instructions, Fr Echezona recalled the biblical account of the Fall of Jericho and Moses’ failure to carry out God’s instructions as he was directed, when Israelites were in dire need of potable water in the wilderness during their journey to the Promised Land.
Echezona appealed to the children and caregivers of the celebrated elders to always understand child-related old age behaviour common among
elders. These, he warned, should not be a reason to dishonour them against the Fifth Commandment of God.
Responding on behalf of the overwhelmed elders, one of them, Pa Augustine Okechukwu Ufondu, expressed gratitude to the entire St Augustine’s Parish for the honour, which, he said, was unexpected, and asked God to reward the Parish Priest, the Vicar, the entire parishioners, and the organizing committee of the event, with longevity.
Some of the elders, who included Ma Patricia Okeke, Ma Cecilia Ubah, among others, with praises to God, shared their joy with Fides, praying Him to reward the organizers of the event with long life.
In an interview with Fides, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Mr Innocent
Ezeonwuka, who recalled that some of the elders had been confined in homes, described the event as a happy reunion and celebration of their lives while they were still alive.
Also speaking with Fides, the President, St Augustine’s Catholic Women’s Organization, Mrs Victoria Maduadichie, and some prominent members of the Parish, who included Mr Okey Nwakaozor, Chief Chika Dunu, among others, paid glorious tributes to the celebrated elders, praying God to keep them in good health as He sustained their lives.
A banquet specially organized for the elders and presentation of special gift items to them by the parish, were among the highlights of the historic event.
