On July 26th, Nariokotome Mission joyfully joined the universal Church in celebrating the memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. This special day holds particular meaning for us, as we came together with our Sts. Joachim and Anne Elderly Programme members to honor not only the holy grandparents of our Lord, but also the invaluable role of grandparents and elders in our own community.
The day began with a solemn Mass presided over by Fr. Zaccheaus Okoth, during which a special intention was offered for all elderly members of our parish. Fr. Zaccheaus reminded us of the deep faith and perseverance of Sts. Joachim and Anne, encouraging everyone especially our elders to continue being pillars of wisdom, prayer and love in their families and society.
After Mass, the 275 elders in the programme were offered a warm reception at St. Martin de Porres Bakery at Nariokotome Mission. Songs and traditional dances, marked the celebration, creating a lively and joy filled atmosphere.
A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of small gifts to each elderly member present. These included food items and simple necessities, offered in gratitude for their contributions to the Church and community.
We concluded the day with a shared meal, filled with laughter, friendship and gratitude. It was a beautiful reminder of the importance of honoring our elders not just on special feast days but every day!
The celebration strengthened our bonds as a Christian family and renewed our commitment to walk in the footsteps of Sts. Joachim and Anne with faith, humility and love.
By Lenny Jillo, MCSPA
Nariokotome Mission
