WRITTEN BY AMAKA CHIBUZOR OKOYE
Catholic Churches world over yesterday mark the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, also known as Fathers’ Sunday of the church.
The day was set aside to honour and recognize the role of fathers in the families, society and in nation building.
Families on this special day shower their fathers with love, prayers and gift for their love and care for them.
In all the parishes ABS visited, fathers took the centre stage of the mass including bible readings, sides men and prayers among others.
At St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy, Awka, the mass started with candle light procession by the fathers.
In a homily, the former Chaplain of the church Reverend Father Christian Umeojilinaka said that as they are celebrating the feast of their patron saint, fathers should continue to shepherd and protect their family and as well show them unconditional love.
Reverend Father Umeojilinnaka who commended the fathers for their roles in the family, church and society described them as pillars, urging their wives to be a source of joy to them and pray for their well being
At Saint Peter’s Parish Nkwelle Awka, the Parish Priest Reverend Father Nicholas Okokeocha described Saint Joseph as a hard working man who knows how to organize his family and make it ideal, part of the reasons why the Church celebrates Saint Josephs family as a holy family calling on fathers to emulate his hardworking qualities and commitment to his family as a husband and a father.
Reverend father Okekeocha noted that when fathers get it right at home by giving their wards quality training rooted in Christ, the society will be a better place, advising them to love their wives and remain their companion throughout their lives.
Speaking shortly after the mass, at Saint Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy , the state Head of Service, Barrister Harry Uduh said it is a thing of joy and big responsibility to be a father, describing fathers as the pillars of family stating that every father should discharge his God’s given duty and noted that if the family is faulty the society will be bad, advising fathers to live up to their responsibilities.
On his part, the Director, News and Current Affairs Department of the ABS, Chief Gab Okpalaeze, the Former Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka , Professor Boniface Egboka and a former Director of Programmes in ABS Comrade Don Onyenji said that fatherhood is a vocation, stating that it is expected of fathers to play the role of protection, catering and shepherding, to make sure no one is lost.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Mr. C-don Adinuba and a former Commissioner for Information and Culture Chief Maja Umeh were among fathers that worshiped in the church.
Prayers and thanksgiving formed high points of the masses.
Comments are closed for this post.