By Okakpu Bartholomew
Hundreds of widows who gathered for a meeting last Monday at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha went home with good News as they were informed by their leadership of an empowerment programme for them in the offing.
According to the Onitsha Archdiocesan CWO Director,Dame Ngozi Nwanosike,an elaborate arrangement was being made to reach out to them to put smiles on their faces as a palliative to cushion the effect of current hardship in the country.
A Mass of thanksgiving presided over by the Chaplain of CWO Rev Fr JohnBosco Okafor who is also the Vicar General of Archdiocese of Onitsha was celebrated for the widows.
In a homily delivered by Rev Fr Augustine Ezeanya,the widows were admonished on the need for strong faith, perseverance and persistence in prayers.
According to him,without those virtues,many widows would not be able to stand the temptations of widowhood.
In his lecture titled,”Nurturing the Life of Widowhood in the Light of God’s Word and Prayers” after the Mass,a visiting priest Rev Fr Ekpenyong emphasized that faith and gratitude are powerful weapons for every believer.Referring to the widow who offered her last coins in the temple,he said,”She gave all she had because she believed that God is still here provider.
That same faith is what God wants from all of us today”.
He encouraged them to continue to support one another and to see the church as a family that shares their burdens and joys.
