On 28th July 2024, St. Joseph and Mary Parish hosted a special event to honor and celebrate the contributions of senior citizens in the community. The event aimed to express gratitude and appreciation for the wisdom, experience, and guidance that the elderly provides to the parish and the wider community. Following are the few highlights of the event.
Welcome Address
The celebration began with a warm welcome address where I emphasized the invaluable role that senior citizens play in nurturing faith and the Christian values in our families and communities. What is remarkable about the elderly is not so much their age as the stories they have gathered and lived with up to the present with courage and forebearnace.
Holy Mass
On Sundays we have four Masses. Usually the last Mass is reserved for special events like commissioning of solidarity groups like CMA, CWA, YSC, YCA, PMC and so many others. And this Sunday we reserved the 4th Mass for our senior citizens who we call “wakongwe” with love. In the Mass a special blessings and prayers were offered for their health, happiness, and well-being. The mass included hymns and homily that resonated with the theme of gratitude and respect for the elderly.
Fellowship luncheon with the Wakongwe ( Senior Citizen)
Following the holy mass, a delightful luncheon was held in the parish parking space. The space was beautifully decorated with floral arrangement and table settings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Soft background music added to the ambiance, making the gathering feel like a special occasion for everyone. This gathering allowed the seniors and other parish members to socialize, reminisce, and enjoy a meal together, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Expressing Gratitude
The lunch was an opportunity for the Parish community to express their heartfelt gratitude to the senior citizens. The PPC Moderator, CMA Representative, Fr Stan, Fr Thomas and Fr Victor among the speakers who highlighted the vital role of the elderly in shaping the community’s values and guiding its future. They thanked them for their unwavering support and dedication to the church.
Gift Distribution
As a recognition and appreciation for their contribution towards the community. The parish had arranged few things to give them. Which included food stuffs and rosaries. It was so pleasing to see them receiving the gifts with a smile. We felt that their smile did not just show their happiness and but an eternal blessing for us to continue working with love and to serve.
Mill Hill Friends and Couples for Christ
The above groups namely Mill Hill Friends and Couples for Christ were crucial in organizing the event. These groups animated the mass and bought and contributed towards the success of the event. What always amazes me is their love and passion for the church, their initiatives and selfless commitment. These are priceless gifts not to be taken for granted.
Conclusion
The event was a resounding success, with over 150 senior citizens in attendance. The parish community expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of their elder members, reinforcing the importance of honoring and caring for them. This celebration not only highlighted the achievements of the senior citizens but also strengthened the bonds within the parish community, making it a memorable and meaningful occasion for all involved. At the end what we say is that as the saying goes “the Old age is not a burden; it is a blessing, a crown of life well-lived and stories well-told ad a privilege denied to many to show the splendor of the grey hair……..”
Fr Victor Nayak MHM
