Parishioners of St. Enda’s parish palladan, Zaria, on Thursday, February 14 came out en-masse to celebrate the feast of Valentine.
The celebration, which was championed by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Alfred Mamman and the parish laity council chairman, Dr. Solomon Tanko, witnessed a large turnout of parishioners, priests and the Religious.
In his speech, Dr. Solomon Tanko appreciated the parishioners for coming out to celebrate love, adding that their large turnout was an indication of their acknowledgement of the significance of the celebration.
On his part, Mr. Joseph Nashakyaa, who was once the chairman of the parish laity council, also acknowledged the importance of the celebration, especially to families. He urged individuals and couples to always celebrate love and unite themselves. “Anything linked to love should be encouraged. Love is the only thing that can withstand any challenge that could arise in marriages and so on. I commend the priests and the parish laity council under the leadership of Dr. Solomon Tanko for the revival of this programme done during my days as the parish laity council chairman. It should continue,” he said.
In his paper presentation on the history of Valentine, the parish priest, Fr. Alfred Mamman, talked on the origin of valentine and when the celebration started. He called on the parishioners to always celebrate love amongst themselves and never deviate.
“It is good to celebrate love since God is love (Agape); we need to love, we must not abuse the word love because love is a beautiful thing as a Nigerian Musician D’Banj would say. The church encourages healthy courtship that could lead to marriage but frowns at unholy relationship. So let us love selflessly. I thank you all for coming, especially seeing couples seated together in love,” he said.
Highlights of the celebration were an interaction from the parishioners, questions and answers, choreography, presentation of special numbers, dance display by priests and parishioners and presentation of gifts by Mr. Joseph Nashakyaa to priests namely, Rev. Fr. Istifanus Katung, rector, St. Joseph’s minor seminar; Fr. Alexander Sheyin, director of Seat of Wisdom Academy; Rev. Fr. Alfred Mamman and Very Rev. Fr. Henry Duniya. Mr. Francis Amole also presented gifts to all those born in February and his agemates, as he celebrates his 60th birthday recently.
By Peter Orpin.