By Daruwana Daku and Emmanuel Chigozie
It was a multi-faceted celebration of events, October 6, 2024, at St. Mary’s Eucharist Parish, Nri, as the parish celebrated over 50 of her octogenarians in grand style.
The event, which took place at the parish centre, began with a Holy Mass that was presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Chukwuemeka Anyabolu Martin. It also marked the 11th anniversary of the parish church’s dedication.
While the parish priests could not contain his excitement for the lives of the octogenarians whom he said had been blessed with good life and grace from God, he also said it was necessary for the parish to celebrate the old, given that it was part of the admonition of the Catholic Bishop of the Awka Diocese to always celebrate those who were living, especially the aged.
For his part, the homilist, Rev. Fr Jonas Unegbu, called on the lay faithful to always have faith in God and live with the assurance that Christ was with them at all times.
Fr Unegbu further exhorted all the parishioners to always respect, care and value the old, even as they were celebrated.
Some of the octogenarians who saw it as a moment of thanksgiving to God for His resilience in their lives also had family members and well-wishers who celebrated with them.
Some of the Octogenarians and above include:Sir Prof Alfred A Nweze, Sir Prof Nduka Okafor, Lady Prof Chinyere Okafor, Sir. R.S. Okafor, Sir. Barr. Emmanuel C. Okafor, Mr. Benjamin Aguolu, Lady Kate Tabansi, Lady Rose Tabansi, Mr. Christopher Ezebilo, Mrs. Catherine Ogboe, Mrs. Josephine Mmorah, Mr Sylvester Ayika, Chief Augustine Aguolu, Ezinne Patricia Nwoguji, Mr Innocent Onwujekwe, Mrs. Inno Onwujekwe,Sir Obayadike, Mrs Monica Onyeso, Mrs. Margaret Udegbunam, Mrs. Lucy Anike,Mrs. Lucy Nweze, Mrs. Veronica Anumba, Mrs Nnalue, Mrs Ayoghu, Mrs. Enunure Sophina,Mr Okeke, Mr Nriaka,Mr. Onuora Charles, Mr Anadi,Mrs Okezie Bridget, Mrs Patricia Diege,Mrs Abana, Mrs Molokwu and others.
In his address of welcome at the warm reception of the aged, the Secretary of the Parish Council, Mr Polycarp Agolu, noted that the octogenarians had had lots of experiences in life.
For him, celebrating them would better strengthen them and also be a blessing to all who took part in caring for them.
Speaking with Fides, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Sir, Chukwuka Okpoko, appreciated God’s blessings in the parish, even as they marked 11 years as a dedicated church.
Sir Okpoko further said that the event, which was a double celebration, served as a means of raising funds to empower the youth within the parish, adding that the parish’s interest was to get the youth working to reduce nefarious activities that would be coming from them as a result of idleness.
Fr Anyabolu also remarked that because the youths were deviating from the Church, the Parish Council saw it as a necessity to raise funds from spirited individuals to engage the youths with saleable skills. This, he said, would also reduce crime in society.
Part of the features of the event included fundraising for youth development in the church, cutting of the octogenarian cake, entertainment and group photographs.
