SOME CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS MARK MOTHERING SUNDAY WITH EULOGIES ON THE SIGNIFICANT ROLES MOTHERS PLAY IN HOMES AND SOCIETY

Christian mothers are advised to emulate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary as they celebrate Mother’s day.

The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, the Most Reverend Callistus Onaga, gave the advice in a Holy Mass to mark the day at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu.

Bishop Onaga who explained that Virgin Mary was full of humility, peace and love, called on mothers to exhibit the virtues anywhere they found themselves for peace and good of the society.

Bishop Onaga encouraged mothers to always forgive one another to attract God’s blessings in their lives.

He commended mothers for their roles in the family and appealed to other mothers who were yet to understand their roles in the society to learn from women of virtue.

In an interview some Christian mothers said they were proud to be mothers.

At the event some Christian mothers served the Holy Mass to mark the day while the Bishop gave mothers special blessing and gifts.

Meanwhile during the same celebration at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd Enugu, the wife of the Archbishop, Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Mrs. Joyce Chukwuma charged older wives to mentor the younger ones to make a better home.

Mrs. Chukwuma noted that older women were in better positions to advise the younger ones, especially in challenging times and in bringing up their children in the way of God.

Mrs. Ebele Modebelu, Nkiru Oboli and Ogonna Aneke praised God for keeping them to witness another Mothering Sunday and prayed for grace to be godly mothers.

Onyekachukwu Agu, Mmesomma Odoa nd Adaora Iche eulogized the sterling qualities of their mothers and advised all mothers not to give up on their children no matter the situation.

The event featured renditions from the women and Anglican Children Ministry as well as worship songs and intercessory prayers.

Similarly, at a special Mothering Sunday service, the wife of the Methodist Arch Bishop of Enugu and President Women’s Fellowship of the Archdiocese, Ezinne Phoebe Ede, implored women to be the true reflection of God’s love.

Mrs. Ede who encouraged women to be obedient to God, submissive to their husbands, virtuous and role models, noted that the period was also used to strengthen and renew family love.

Also, the Methodist Arch Bishop of Enugu, the Most Reverend Christopher Edeh, urged mothers to train their children in the ways of Lord Jesus Christ and to shun selfishness and temper.

Some fathers and children who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed love, gratitude and appreciation to their wives and mothers.

There were special praises, drama and thanksgiving during the service.

In the same vein, the head Pastor, Glory City International Revival Centre, Enugu, Apostle Victor Onyedikachi, encouraged to be home builders and ensure that they make a difference in their families.

He explained that women were not just created by God to be cooks and child bearers but to complement their husbands, especially in areas they were lacking.

Apostle Onyedikachi pointed out that for a successful marriage the woman must be spiritual and God loving.

The Head of Glory City Women, Pastor Caroline Onyedikachi advised women to study their husbands and be sensitive to their moods.

Pastor Caroline advised women not to talk down on their spouses to avoid losing their respects.

The women beautifully clad in blue wrappers and white blouse sang to the glory of womanhood.

Our correspondent further spoke with a cross section of people including priests on the significance of Mother’s Day or mothering Sunday as some call it.

Some male and female respondents said the day was observed with the aim of recognizing the roles of mothers in the society and nation building.

According to them, the most significant roles of mothers are in the areas of child bearing and upbringing.

For some of the respondents, mothers are regarded as protectors, disciplinarians, friends in the homes, most at times loving and ever ready to sacrifice their comfort and conveniences in the interest of others.

Speaking on the relevance of the day, a women leader and wife of the Vicar in charge of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church Thinkers Corners Enugu, Dr. Chinyere Okafor, defined mothers as the pillar every family and the society at large.

According to Dr. Okafor, mothers should be celebrated because of their ability to equip a child with knowledge and skills needed to make a competent and total human being.

A member of catholic Women Organization Sacred Heart Church Uwani Enugu, Mrs. Easter Edeh, while enumerating the roles of mothers in societal growth and development, advised them not to relent in building their homes.

Many analysts described the 2019 Mother’s Dayin Nigeria as unique as Anglican, Catholics and Methodist churches as well as some Pentecostal denominations celebrated the event on the same day unlike the situation in some other years.

SCHOLASTICA UGWUOKE, EZINWANNE OKWUOLISA, OKECHUKWU EZEONA, NGOZI MBA AND JULIET UGWU