Asamankese Church celebrates Papa Kumi

The faithful of the St. Mays Parish at Asamankese joined the family, friends and well-wishers of Mr. Patrick Kofi Kumi, to celebrate his 80th anniversary with pomp and pageantry at the Church.

The celebration which was more of celebration of life, extolled the contributions and dedicated service of the Octogenarian to the Church and society.

Rev. Fr. Paul Effah Denkyi, Parish Priest, who presided over the thanksgiving Mass commended the efforts Mr. Kumi to the Church’s development.

In a homily, Fr. Denkyi said urged Christians to have faith in Christ who brings light and life to people, adding that God gave us Christ to emulate and follow his dictate in order to have peace in life.

He said through the Baptism of the Jesus, God was calling on Christians to listen to Jesus Christ, urging them to remember what Christ can do for them at all times.

Fr. Denkyi said at Baptism we Christ, which frees us from being slaves to sin, adding that Christians lives should reflect Christ at all time.

Mr. Kumi, an astute and hardworking electrical engineer, was among the first faithful to be baptised and first confirmed at the St Mary's Church in August 8, 1948, and September 3, 1949 respectively.

He was a member of the Catholic Youth Organisation from 1953 and rose through the ranks to serve at the National Level as Acting National Organiser from 1971 to 1974.

He also led some members to form the St. Cecilia Guild Choir at the Church and helped in forming the Christian Mothers Association branch at the Church as its Organiser in 1964.

The Octogenarian was instrumental in the establishment of St. Mary's Women Vocational School near the Church in 1980, and serves as Chairman of the St. Thomas Senior High Technical School at Asamankese, a position he held since 1979, at the onset of the then Experimental School.

Past Supreme Knight Kumi is credited with thoroughly researching and writing the history of the Church at Asamankese from 1918 to 1980, and also actively working with others to create Council 44/Court 34 at Oda and Council 72/Court 65, Asamankese of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall in 1982 and 2000 respectively.

 In 1984, Mr. Kumi helped to re-organise the Young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A), and managed to convince partners to establish the Y.M.C.A Day Care Centre at Asamankese the following year. He also stringed stories from the St. Mary’s Parish to the Catholic Standard for some time.

In recognition of his effort, Pope Francis sent an Apostolic Blessing, which Rev. Fr. Dr. John Ofosu Mireku, concelebrant at the Mass presented to Mr. Kumi.

At a reception chaired by Madam Susana Sackey, West Akim Municipal Director for Social Welfare, several testimonies shared by family members, children, traditional authorities, the Marshallans and St. Mary's Parish commended Papa Kumi for his determination for progress, rich advice, inspiration and motivation as well as his effort to unite all.

Present at the function was Mr. A. K. de Youngster, Proprietor of De Youngster’s International Schools in Accra and brother of Mr. Kumi, who described the octogenarian as an inspirer and motivator who encourages him and many people to excel in life.

In a brief remark, Mr. Kumi, thanked his family, friends and the faithful for all the support accorded him over the years and appealed to the West Akim Municipal Assembly to rename the street linking St. Mary’s Church from the main road as Bishop’s street.   

He urged the faithful not to despair but trust God and have faith in whatever good thing they were doing, because God is faithful and is still working miracles.

“In serving the Church do it from the depth of your hearts, for God,” he added.

  

*Papa Kumi being help to cut the cake, (inset) Frs. Denkyi blessing Papa Kumi and Mr. de Youngster.