By Ononye VC
It was a joyous day for members of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Archdiocese of Onitsha as they celebrated the Nativity (birthday)of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday 9th September 2023.
The women who came out in their numbers from various zones of the Archdiocese were led by their Archdiocesan Director, Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike and other top officials of the organisation.
To begin the event,chaplains of the CWO, Archdiocese of Onitsha Rev Frs Johnbosco Okafor and Calistus Akora were on hand to celebrate a thanksgiving mass where the women made presentations of thanksgiving with various materials.
Delivering his homily titled,”Motherhood is a blessing”,Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor described Virgin Mary as a virtuous woman who worked hard on her own and found favour in the eyes of God.
According to him,there were other women during her time but God picked her for her virtuousness.
Fr Johnbosco pointed out that if a virtuous woman exists anywhere especially in a family,the family thrives in peace and progress.
He called on members of the CWO to see their membership of the organisation as a work of evangelization and more importantly show respect to their elderly ones.
He prayed for God to bless the women and give them more grace now and always.
In her remarks after the mass,the Director,CWO Archdiocese of Onitsha Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike emphasised the event as special and an important day in the lives of women and commended the women for their doggedness and commitment towards progress of the organisation.She thanked the Archbishop of Onitsha most Rev Valerian Okeke for his spiritual and material support to the organisation as well as the chaplains for their cooperation.
The event featured quiz competition,newscasting,cutting of birthday cake,fashion show and cultural display.
A renowned pharmacist Lady (Pharm)Adaeze Omaliko was a special guest of honour.
Dunukofia Region of the CWO took the first position in quiz competition.
