Col. Dele Aro (Rtd.) has donated 30 new vestments to St. Cecilia Choir of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Iganmode Road, Ota, Ogun State, Abeokuta Diocese. Although the donation officially took place during the Aro family Harvest Thanksgiving on September 3, 2023 in celebration of the 70th birthday of his wife Mrs. Dorothy Aro, which was on July 17, 2023, the vestments were blessed by the Parish Priest Fr. Clement Ashade and were won for the first time and shown to the parishioners on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

 

According to Fr. Ashade, 'the new vestments are undoubtedly the best vestments for the parish choir at the moment; the choir may decide to let go of some old but still useful robes to the choristers in the outstations of the parish - a gesture they have done before'. Fr. Ashade revealed that the choir will re-launch the vestments during the upcoming Christmas Carols, Christmas Vigil, Christmas Day, New Year Vigil, New Year Day and First Sunday of the Year Masses. 'Later, the robes will be kept and become the choir's vestments for special occasions', Fr. Ashade added.

 

While appreciating the Aro family for their generosity, Fr.  Ashade noted that Col. Aro, who is from Ondo Diocese, has been a devoted and generous member of the parish ever since he arrived in the Parish over 40 years ago. He said Col. Aro is an active member of the Catholic Friendly Society of St. Anthony of Padua while his wife is an active member of St. Anne Society. These two societies, according to him, consist of husbands and their wives.

 

Fr.  Clement thanked the Aros for their thoughtfulness and generosity, to have requested from him the felt need of the parish while Mrs. Aro was preparing for her 70th birthday.  He encouraged all the Parishioners who may have such an event in the future, to contact him for proper guidance. He however used the occasion to acknowledge and appreciate some parishioners who have made similar spectacular donations publicly or privately in the past and in recent times.

 

The Choristers used the occasion to have a special thanksgiving during the Mass to commemorate the Feastday of their Patron Saint, St. Cecilia. They were joined by Col. and Mrs Dorothy Aro and the Parishioners.