..Reaches out to the needy
By Olivia Obijiaku
In addition to the weeklong activities lined up for the celebration of 2023 Fathers’ Day on Sunday, 7th May 2023, namely novena to St. Joseph; Word Sessions; Dinner; and provision of plastic chairs for the parish, members of Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria (CMON) of Good Shepherd Parish Graceland Zaria paid visits to Beth Torrey Home and School for Mentally Retarded and Multiple Handicapped Children and the Motherless Babies Home both in Tukur Tukur, Zaria.
Just before the visit to the homes on Saturday, 6th May 2023, the President of CMON of the parish, Engr. Gregory Zirra revealed to stadtdaily.news that members of his group were motivated to reach out to the needy members of the society after they pondered over the increasing difficulties confronting the people.
“What we acquire is only a privilege and it is better to touch lives now that we are alive. For those of us who are workers, the salary is not enough to take us through with the family. We looked at the situation today especially in our country – things are becoming more difficult. We imagine what happens to those who are not working at all and those who have no one to take care of them. So, as part of our CMO activities this year 2023, we deem it fit to touch the lives of the less privileged – both Christians and non-Christians. We also discovered that many of our plastic chairs are broken and we got one hundred and twenty chairs for our parish so that more people can sit inside when they come to worship God.”
C
MO Representatives at the Motherless Babies Home
As part of welfare provision for their members, Engr. Zirra recalled that, “We organized a mass wedding last year where two of our members wedded. We lost one of them two weeks after his marriage was blessed and we believe it is the will of God to have the privilege of having his marriage blessed before his death. We are looking forward to doing more and see how we can also touch the lives of widows among us.”
CMO members in Good Shepherd Parish also teach children at the catechism classes; serve as church wardens and assist in the structural development of the parish as well as in some other ways.
CMO President
On the lessons from the visit which left lasting impression on the fathers, one of the group’s patrons, Sir Paul Obah (KSM) summed that, “If you look at these people, you will discover that it is the same God who created everyone. Coming here should help us to moderate our lives and remember that God is watching us. So, each time I come here, it makes me more dedicated to serve God and humanity.”