On Saturday, July 27, the parish of St Michael’s RC Church in Maracas Valley, St Joseph hosted its first Senior Care Day in honour of World Grandparents and Elderly Day, a day instituted by Pope Francis.
The day, the fourth of its kind globally, held the theme this year: Do not cast me off in my old age.
Parish priest Fr Mikhail Woodruffe O Carm first had the idea two years ago and was happy to see it come to fruition. This was thanks to the assistance of Events Committee members and youth volunteers.
Seniors aged 65 and over from the parish, wider Maracas Valley community and even visitors from as far as Arima and Chaguanas, had free entry and all services free of charge.
Present were a barber, hairdresser, dentist, physiotherapist, dietician, doctors, medical lab technician, nurse, and a few spa technicians. The professionals volunteered their time freely on what is the busiest workday for most of them. Most of the professionals are members of the parish.
Senior attendees, male and female, received nutritional advice, dental screening, medical consultations, blood pressure and sugar testing (by Bryden-Pi), pedicures, manicures, haircuts, hairstyling, Catholic meditation guidance and senior stretching exercises.
Refreshments included hot or cold local cocoa made from scratch by a local Cocoa researcher and Maracas Valley farmers, tea plates, yogurt, and ice-cream (sponsored by John Dickinson).
Attendees were serenaded by surprise artiste Black Sage (Philip Murray), who gave extemporaneous renditions from topics given by the senior attendees themselves. Special thanks to the generous volunteer professionals.
The parish has a Diamond League group for persons aged 60 years and over, that meets one Monday a month. The Diamond League hosts outings, activities, discussions, and good company for seniors.
The group will be hosting its own stall at the parish Harvest on Sunday, September 29. The Harvest theme is: No place like home: Our Valley. We thank God for our senior members, and we pray to always cherish and appreciate them.—A parishioner.
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