Senior citizens celebrate their day with special mass |03 October 2022

Father David Alcindor conducting the service

In commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons celebrated on October 1, the Association for Seniors on Saturday morning organised a special mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The special service attracted a large congregation, among whom were a number of seniors citizens.

Chairperson of the organisation, Germaine Gill, said the mass is important to group together seniors in Seychelles, and for them to thank God for blessing them to see through their senior years.

“The youths of today have many more privileges, they have access to better education than we did in the past, so, they should think of their parents. Make the effort to see their parents, be it the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we call out to them to show more love to their senior parents,” Ms Gill noted.

The service was well appreciated by the senior citizens, including Flora Brutus, who despite some aches and pains made it a must to attend the special service.

“I am glad I came, and I really liked the service. I am well satisfied. I usually like to attend the afternoon service, but with the special mass for seniors today, I chose to come this morning instead,” she said.

Similarly, John Talma said he thoroughly enjoyed the mass, especially since it was led by seniors in the choir.

“It is important for me, as a means of thanking God for the time we have spent. I like to do this, with each birthday, I take the opportunity to thank Jesus, and Virgin Mary. It is something I really love and keep to, and I would encourage other seniors to also do the same,” Mr Talma added.

The association is but one of the many activities organised by the association for elderly citizens.  A variety of recreational, physical and educational activities are scheduled in going forward. Due to the pandemic, there were no activities over the past couple of years.

Prior to the pandemic, the association organised weekly activities at the district administrator’s offices, where seniors could gather within the respective districts for activities such as sewing, among others.

The Association has for some years been trying to secure a location to the benefit of elderly citizens, although this is yet to materialise. According to Ms Gill, government promised the association a R12 million budget for the building, and despite having started the process over thirty years ago, the project has been severely delayed.

“We have asked that when government is downsizing the initial architectural plan, that seniors be allowed to review the plan so we can see if it is what we really need, and it will not experience further delays,” Ms Gill added.

Laura Pillay