All roads led to Fawehinmi Street, Ojuelegba, Lagos, location of St. Catherine’s Model School on Saturday, July 16, 2022 when the school celebrated its 60th anniversary in grand style. The diamond jubilee celebration with the theme, ’60 years of providing a functional education”, which kicked off with Mass at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church, Clegg Street, Ojuelegba, Lagos, attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including priests, religious, parents and ex-pupils of the school. Rejoicing with the pupils and staff of the school, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos expressed his joy at the event, and a blessed occasion which the good Lord has made. “And so, we rejoice and are glad in it.” Archbishop Martins commended the management and staff of the school for the invaluable service which they have continued to render, especially as they strive to ensure that the pupils placed in their care are properly educated and groomed into sound minds and leaders of tomorrow. “Like the proverbial mustard seed, your efforts and commitment have yielded much fruit over the past 60 years”, he said.
The Archbishop said anniversaries such as this should afford the people an opportunity for thanksgiving, reflection and dedication, as he implored them to look back in gratitude at the many benefits received and the privilege of service. He said: “Look inward in meditation and contemplation to see how much of your mission and vision you have realised during this period, and look forward in confidence and with hope, trusting that God who gave value to your little efforts will fructify your future endeavours.” Commending the pupils and staff, as well as the success of the anniversary to the care of St. Catherine, Archbishop Martins assured them of his spiritual closeness as he imparted God’s choicest blessings on them. Delivering his homily during the Mass, Rev. Fr. Charles Onwordi, OP, Parish Priest, St. Dominic’s Catholic Church and ex-pupil of the school, spoke on the vulnerability of children, emphasising that the social media, especially is being used by the kingdom of darkness to remove the attention of young people from the sight of God. He urged parents and teachers to guide and protect the minds of children, so that they (Children) will not lose sight of God.
While commending the school for providing a functional education to children, the priest called on parents and guardians to be more prayerful, as well as entrust and present their children to God’s care. Presenting her speech on the occasion, Rev. Sr. Maryanne Martins (EHJ), Supervisor, St. Catherine’s Model School said the diamond jubilee is a remarkable year in the life of the school. Sr. Martins added that it is a year for thanksgiving and reflection, as they look into the past with gratitude, the present with passion and the future with hope. She stated that her administration remains committed to realizing the core value of the school’s mission and vision statements, which charges them with the responsibility “To give each child a balanced formation relevant to our time, with the help of God.”
