ONE HUNDRED AND thirty women from all the parishes of the archdiocese have been decorated with merit awards for serving and supporting the Catholic Women Organisation, CWO. Also among the awardee was V. Rev Fr Fintan Daly.

The honours were given at a joint celebration of the Mothers’ Day, fund-raising and award-giving organised by Archdiocese of Ibadan Catholic Women Organisation led by Chief (Mrs) Cecilia Oduye on 7 April.

Rev. Fr Michael Woods, assistant parish priest, Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, in his homily, encouraged the women to keep the fire of God alive in their lives, families, Church and the society.

Fr Woods advised them not to abandon their primary vocation, which is to raise their children in catholic faith and be good wives to their husbands and good mothers to their children.

Commending the mothers for their role in the family, church and society, the priest reminded them that providing food, clothing and other things are not enough; they are to anchor their lives on God, adding: “Most times you are so busy that you forget the primary assignment of God.”

The homilist reminded them of the mission of taking Jesus to their different homes not minding the difficulties or challenges they are passing through. “You are the women of grace; so, graceful things are expected to come out of you in words and actions,” he said.

Dr (Mrs) Josephine Igbeka, who delivered a talk on womahood, noted that a true woman is one who has the fear of God.

Also speaking on the occasion was Hon. Toye Arologun, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, who asserted that a mother can take the place of something, but nobody can take the place of a mother.

Also present at the event was Msgr Theophilus Fadeyi, AICWO chaplain.

-MARGARET OBOGO