All roads led to St. Monica Orphanage Home, Iju Ishaga lagos, Tuesday, October 25 when Mrs. Benedicta Ejatase Omobhude celebrated her 60th birthday in grand style with the children in the Orphanage. The colourful event which began with thanksgiving Mass, with the choir manned by the children who also took the readings of the day and the prayer of the faithful, was also graced by family and friends of the celebrant who came to be part of the event. Expressing her happiness, as she was overwhelmed with joy, Mrs. Omobhude disclosed that she would have loved to celebrate her 60th birthday and retirement together. According to her, “I did my retirement on January 21, 2020. Today, October 25, 2022, I’m 60 years. The day my children told me they wanted me to celebrate in Sheraton with my friends; I told them I will pray about it. That night I prayed vehemently and the following morning I had the word ‘orphanage’ coming repeatedly to my mind and I went ahead and told my husband and he said good idea, so I told my children am going to celebrate my birthday at the orphanage”. She said despite the heavy morning downpour earlier, she nor her family and friends were not deterred to celebrate her special day. “After about three hours of heavy rain, everywhere became dry and cool for me. To God be the glory and praise for the rain that fell today.
They are rains of blessing.” She said nothing gives her joy than celebrating with the children who danced with happiness, especially three of the children who were also born in the month of October. She advised fellow senior and gifted citizens to use their God given assets to serve God. “If it is children you can teach, teach them. Whatever talent you have is not by your own making, but that of all mighty God. Let them use their talent in the service of almighty God and definitely, God will give them good health of mind and body. Earthly things can never give you joy. What gives you joy is the joy and peace of the Lord that last forever”, she said. Delivering the homily at Mass, Rev. Fr. Bernard Iboi prayed God to bless the celebrant for the love and friendship she shares with God and the children. According to him, “Today is a day of thanksgiving for our dear mother. In his infinite goodness, the Lord has enabled her to do great things for Him as an instrument of His love and as a steward of mercy.” “He chose you to bear lasting fruit, and that for 60 years you have been doing and assisted by God’s grace you will continue to do. Thanking God for the many blessings her fidelity and generosity has brought for the people for whom she has prayed and served, the priest commended the celebrant for her ardent response to serve God and humanity.
