Upperhill News

In commemoration of the YEAR 2024 World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church , Adigbe, Abeokuta has held a special Get-Together to celebrate elders in the Abeokuta Diocese charging them to avoid sins associated with old age which could lead them into becoming too possessive and over demanding.

The World Day for Grandparents and the elderly was introduced in the Catholic Church across the world by Pope Francis in honour of Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. This year’s edition is themed, “DO NOT CAST ME OFF IN MY OLD AGE ” as established in Psalm 71 verse 9.

The Parish Priest of the Diocese, Rev. Father Gabriel Oyebola gave the admonition during the Get-Together for Grand Parents and the elderly, organised by the Education Committee of the Parish at the Bishop’s Court, Onikolobo, Abeokuta.

Fr. Oyebola stated that some elders in their desire to help others tend to make different demands which are not necessarily their personal needs urging them to build the habit of overlooking some issues.

“There are things that they call the sins of old age. The first one is that you learn to take your eyes off some things. At this age there is the tendency to always “grab” and from experience most of the Grandpas and Grandmas are not the ones who use or need those things. Meanwhile , you can only assist people within the limit of your ability”, Fr. Oyebola said.

Oyebola also added that this year’s theme
is a reminder that God is available for the elders while the Church cherishes and views them as important to its development.

He added that the Parish would with effect from the month of August 2024 commence mid-day mass for the elderly once in a month.

The clergy appealed to children not to be individualistic but take good care of their parents while alive instead of waiting to hold lavish parties for them when they pass away.

Rev. Father Oyebola commended the Chairman and members of the Parish’s Education Committee for consistently organising impact-driven programmes which have been benefiting the Church.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Education Committee, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola said the celebration of the World day of Grandparents and the elderly in the last two years has been a worthwhile experience in the Parish enabling the elders relish old experience, rejig their energy and gain more knowledge on how to overcome their peculiar challenges in view of their old age assuring that the Committee would continue to organise the programme as well as other impactful events to meet the needs of women, men, youths, children, workers and other stakeholders in the Church.

Aikulola who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment also reiterated the call for the aged to deliberately overlook some development so as not to overburden themselves and others around them advising them to be positive and prayerful about their children as well as relate with their grandchildren without overburdening themselves.

In her lecture, titled “STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS ” a Counselling Psychologist, Mrs. Funmilayo Esiri said stress is a psychological response to an internal and external pressure which a person is unable to cope with, advising the elders to avoid stress triggers or stressors like anxiety , loneliness and depression among others which may result in sudden death.

She urged elders to learn to adjust to changes, deliberately maintain cordial relationship with others, build a prayer life, practice regular moderate exercise and hospital checkup, eat healthy while also avoiding fasting in view of their age.

In their separate remarks, Elder Victor Ibitokun and Elder (Mrs.) Rosemary Bashorun lauded the Parish Priest and the Education Committee for organising the event in the last two years to celebrate them saying the event has provided them the platform to understand their peculiar challenges and solutions to those challenges.