The St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society at the St. Matthew Parish, Tarkwa in the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese has climaxed its Silver Jubilee celebration with a thanksgiving Mass, amidst pomp and pageantry.
Rev. Fr. Felix Bempah, CSJ, Assistant Parish Priest at the St. Michael Parish, Bogoso, who commended the society for its role in the Church, urged the faithful apply God’s grace in their live judiciously.
He explained that God’s grace is an unmerited favour to mankind through the merciful love of God, stressing that “without God’s grace, we are nothing”.
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Members of St. Theresa Society in procession |
As missionaries missioned to our families, spouses and children, Fr. Bempah entreated the faithful to utilise the grace in doing God’s work, be good servants to their families, and to the Church.
Sharing his missionary experiences in Ecuador with the faithful, the Celebrant acknowledged that although there were challenges in one’s missionary work, like Apostle Paul he assured Christians that God’s grace was sufficient for them.
He, therefore, urged the faithful to always draw closer to God with a sincere heart, by praying regularly and constantly reading the Word of God.
Obaapaynin Agatha Ama Sarfo-Ababio, a former National President of the Society, and the first President of the Tarkwa Branch of the Society recounted the initiative and inspiration of the late Most Rev. Charles Kweku Sam, then Bishop Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese and Rev. Msgr. Francis Yaw Tewiah, then Parish Priest of the St. Matthew Church, led to the establishment of the society at the Church on 4th April 1992.
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A section of the Members at the Mass |
She noted that the Society which started with 35 members now boast of 100 dedicated members, and 12 distant members, with 75 percent of the members being communicant.
Obaapaynin Sarfo-Ababio, who commended members for their dedication and commitment over past two and half decades, urged them to continue working together to double their efforts and ensure the growth of the society in the years ahead.
The Society, aside opening numerous branches of the Society in the Tarkwa and Asankragwa Deaneries, as well as parts of the Wiawso Diocese, the Tarkwa branch has produced two Diocesan Presidents out of the 10 Diocesan Presidents and a National President of the Society.
Over the years, the society beside its spiritual activities, has been a pacesetter in enriching the presentation of offertory gifts at Mass, provision of vestments for the Altar Servers at the Church and other Parishes, supporting the vocation of Priests and Religious in the Diocese and beyond, as well as orphanages and the Tarkwa Government Hospital.
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Obaapanyin Sarfo-Ababio and leaders with the Priests |
Opanyin Charlotte Bissah Osei, President of the Society at Tarkwa, who thanked God for the countless blessings on the society over the 25 years, extolled the members for their commitment and support to the growth of the society.
She noted that the society was poised to surmount its challenges and remain vibrant in serving God and mankind, and encouraged members to be resolute and continue in their efforts.
As part of the anniversary, the Society initiated 56 Little Flowers (young members of the Society), elevated 10 dedicated members of the Society to the honorary status of past Presidents, and presented a citation to Mr. Patrick Addae, the longest-serving patron of the society.
The Society which organised Novena on the theme: "We did not choose you but you chose us to go and bear fruits” John 15:16, offered prayers for the souls of the 11members and two patrons of the society.
At the Mass, the Society made a presentation of a five burner gas cooker, blender and other kitchen wares, valued at GH ¢5,000 to the Parish.
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Little Flowers of the Society |
Among dignitaries present at a reception to climax the celebration were Rev. Frs. Anthony Nii Noi Dowuona, Pastor of the St. Matthew Parish; Michael Blay-Morkeh, Spiritual Director of the Society and Anthony Arkesson, Member of the Society.
Others were Opanyin Augustina Abieku, Diocesan President of the Society.