Women manifesting fruits of empowerment programme

Some finished necklace designs

Beneficiaries of the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women, are making gains and improvising new techniques in the designs of the wears they are producing.

A recent visit to some of the beneficiaries, barely two months of graduating from the programme showed that they were making strides by producing nice designs and even exploring to an array of new designs to add to what they have been taught during the programme.

Six of the women were making beads into nice designs, including key holders, bracelets, bleach, and Palazzo as well as how to make key holders, bracelets, necklaces and paper bags among others.

Testimonies

Madam Seyram

Madam Gina Seyram Senanoo, prefect of the group, who resides at Otinibi Aya Court area says “by God’s grace business is going on well. The more you produce the goods, the more you attract customers. So it is my target to produce more of the key holders, the bangles, beads, earrings to showcase.”

“I have produced few pieces of the earrings, key holders and I intend to produce more”. “I sometimes go on the internet on my phone to look at other designs to add to what I have learned”.

“I thank the organisers for providing us with the beads and the materials to work with, and to produce a variety of the necklace I buy some crystals and beads to nice designs”.

Saying the programme was good and beneficial to her, she appealed to the organisers “to continue supporting women to acquire these skills.”

Another graduate, Madam Mary Efe Mensah, who was working on some of the unique patterns before we got there, says “Oh! I don’t know how to say it, but the programme has helped me a lot”.

“After the programme I sat down to rack my brain on bringing out a new design, and came up with these design ‘pattern’ which I join together to make the bags”, she noted.

Madam Efe sharing her experience

Showcasing her distinctive wares, which includes assorted designs of necklaces, bags made from beads, earrings among others.

She says though “I have made some sales and people really liked it, the marketing of the ware is still a challenge” and added she has tried to advertised her wares on social media: “I advertise on Facebook and WhatsApp, which attracts some friends to buy, although it’s difficult convincing friends to buy”. “Marketing the wares is still a challenge, is still a challenge.

“Yes, I have the idea to do something, I was idle, but when I heard about the programme I decided to come and learn more and polish my skills”.

Madam Aboagye receiving some guidance from a staff

Also, Madam Edith Aboagye notes “the programme is a good one and has taught me some skills. I am trying to make some designs”.  But says “I have challenges making time for more designs due to another schedule”. 

The project coordinator and Nurses on the team shared some pieces of advice on how to improve upon her designs and work.

Peer-learning

The women occasionally interact among themselves and share ideas on how to improve on what they have learned. There are occasional visits to other women who graduates, which Madam Gina Senanoo alluded to.

Support from Organisers

After their graduation, the trainers (Public Health Nurses at the St. John of God Clinic, Amrahia, still find time to offer useful technical support to graduates. Madam Edith Aboagye commended her trainers for their readiness to assist them.   

Background

The project, an initiative of the St. Augustine Province of the St. John of God Hospitaller Brothers is to empower women to become self-reliant in taking care of their children and themselves.

The prospects of the programme as manifested by the fruits of the first graduate, is encouraging for organisers who are still preparing to roll out phase two.

Meanwhile, the Financial Controller of the St. Augustine Province, Mr. Valentine K. Bruku, who hinted of a possible replication of the programme in the other seven countries of Africa, where the St. John of God operates, called on donors to support the programme for more women to benefit from it.

‘Put in more Effort’-Health workers charged

Health workers have been advised to put in more efforts to sustain the delivery of quality healthcare to the sick in the country. 

Most Rev. Joseph Francis Kwaku Essien, Bishop of Wiawso, who made the appeal at this year’s National Launch of the World Day of the Sick at the St. John of God Hospital at Sefwi-Asafo charged health professionals to discharge their duties with love, dedication and smile in caring for the patient.

“What is the use of a beautiful hospital or clinic which does not have competent and honest personnel, or personnel who show gross indiscipline and disrespect to patients?” he queried.

While commending health workers, especially those within the National Catholic Health Service (NCHS) for their commitment to healthcare delivery, the Bishop entreated them to do more to overcome the lapses inherent in the healthcare delivery system currently.

Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Bishop of Ho and Episcopal Chainman for Health, launching the 27^th World Day of the Sick, read the Pope’s message and entreated the health workers to promote the culture of generosity and care to the sick.

The Bishop also commended Catholic healthcare institutions and volunteers in healthcare for their services, and reiterated the Pope’s call for them to avoid the trap of turning their service as “simply running a business” but “to give an example of self-giving, generosity and solidarity”.

The theme for the celebration “You received without payment; give without payment” (Mt. 10:8), attracted many health workers and Hospital Chaplains health from facilities throughout the country.

Similarly, George Adjei, Esq, Director of the Directorate of Health at the NCS, commended the Catholic Church for its role in healthcare in Ghana, and thanked the staff of the NCHS for their contributions and dedication.

In order to maintain quality health delivery, the Director entreated workers within the NCHS to redouble their efforts to continue improving the provision of quality healthcare delivery to their clients.

According to Rev. Bro. Yohannes Torwoe, Director of the St. John of God Hospital, the facility in 2018 recorded 67,964 OPD attendance, out of which 11,045 were admitted, and 1,487 surgeries performed. The facility also recorded 2,298 deliveries, with 9,769 Antenatal Clinic (ANC) and a decline in the maternal mortalities from 161 cases in 2017 to 147 in 2018.

Bro. Torwoe extolled the hardworking staff for their professionalism, dedication and commitment, which helps the hospital sustain the healthcare delivery at the facility.

As part of the launch, sod was cut for the construction of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Nana Kwame Obeng II, Chief of Sefwi-Mim, who chaired the function, acknowledged the contribution of the Catholic Church to the development and improvement of healthcare delivery, and thanked the efforts of the staff of the hospital.

He also pledged the assistance of the Chief and Elders of the area to support the development of the hospital.

The Hospital Choir as well as the St. Joseph Church Choir at Sefwi-Asafo graced the function with medleys of songs. 

Some of the Chaplains visited the patients in the wards and prayed for them. 

Lessons on Wills, Addiction for Chaplains

Mr. Adjei taking the Chaplains through how to write Wills

Thirty-four Catholic Hospital Chaplains recently received training on what Wills entails, the complexities involved and how to document nuncupative Wills, during a recent meeting at Sefwi- Wiawso.

A section during the presentation

Touching on who qualifies to write a will, George Adjei Esq., Director of the National Catholic Health Service (NCHS), noted that every person above age 18, is capable of making a Will. This, he said excludes persons with unsound mind, infants or person bellow 18 years and persons who are senile, including persons suffering from memory loss and those unable to speak audibly or coherently as well as persons suffering from excruciating pain or in a state of hysteria and persons under the influence of alcohol.

Mr. Adjei, highlighting the importance of Wills noted that Wills were written to avoid trouble and confusion after the death of a person, as well as give effect to the wishes of the deceased.

Another importance of a Will he noted was to circumvent some customs and traditions from taking the effect, and to provide for the upkeep of family members and loved ones, as well as avoid PNDC Law 111 from taking effect on the Testator’s property.

Speaking on the topic: Writing Nuncupative Wills, Mr. Adjei, explained that a Will is a legal document containing instructions about the disposal of a person’s property. It is essentially a declaration of a person’s intentions concerning how his/her property should be distributed after his/her death.

Some of the Chaplains taking notes 

He expounded that a nuncupative Will (oral will) is a Will that has been delivered orally (that is, in speech) to witnesses, as opposed to the usual form of Wills.

Explaining further, Mr. Adjei noted that nuncupative Will should be voluntary by the Testator, who has attained maturity age and not suffering from any mental incapacity.

He also noted that properties of the Testators must be self-acquired.

Mr. Adjei also advised Chaplains who might be entrusted with such wills to record the oral will, when it was being made and transcribe them for safe keeping.

The Director explained that the topic was chosen because, in their work, Chaplains regularly encounter these situations during the end of life care. “Where it is possible to invite a lawyer, this may not be necessary but in case of ‘emergency’, that is where death is almost imminent, a Chaplain could document these wishes”, he added.

A Chaplain seeking clarification.

He also made the distinction between an oral Will and death-bed wishes or dying wishes.

Noting that Wills take the effect after the death of a person (Testator), he advised Ghanaians to write Wills and periodically revise them.

Dr. Anita Appiah, Coordinator for Community and Institutional Care at the Directorate of Health, speaking on Addictions, called Chaplains and those handling addicts to respect their (the addicts) rights and dignity.

As pastoral agents, she entreated Chaplains to be willing to help addicts appreciate their challenge, adding that even though their clients may deny they were addicted at the initial stages, they should strive to build rapport with them in order to facilitate their healing.

Dr. Appiah described addiction as a chronic disease characterized by compulsive thinking about what one derives satisfaction from, and difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Drawing the distinction between substance and process addictions, she urged Ghanaians to be concerned about Addictions and work together with other experts by providing the needed support to the patient.

Mr. Essegbey (R) interacting with some Chaplains.

She noted that the essence of the presentation was to create awareness among the Chaplains on the drug the phenomenon, which is on the ascendency and how they could work with experts to help counsel the addicts.

Similarly, Mr. Ivan Essegbey, Senior Coordinator of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Directorate of Health, NCS, who acknowledged the invaluable role the Chaplains played in the hospitals, encouraged them to submit their data on time to the Directorate.

*Mr Adjei taking the Chaplains through the topic on Wills.

Capacity building for Hospital Chaplains

The Prelates and Chaplains

Catholic Hospital Chaplains Association has at the end of their annual capacity building workshop at Sefwi-Wiawso adopted new strategies to ensure the effective running of the body. 

To this end, members renewed the mandate of the President, Rev. Fr. Joseph Donkor and elected Rev. Frs. Richmond Danso Sintim, and Joseph Opoku, as Vice President and Treasurer respectively, with Fr. Mathias Takyi Agyeman, as Secretary of the Association.

Chaplains in the healthcare setting are not only spiritual counsellors but advocates for patients and staff. They no doubt influence care, improve clinical outcomes, and enhance staff morale.

Due to the trust they establish with patients, experts say Chaplains are able to transfer to other members of the care team motivation, leading to better care outcomes.

It is on this basis that the Directorate of Health at the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), has instituted the annual meetings for Catholic Hospital Chaplains across the country to give them a refresher training and strengthen their capacities to discharge their roles effectively.

The Association which expressed the vital role of Chaplains noted the complexities in their work and called for the designation of a Priest Chaplain at the National Catholic Secretariat to coordinate and champion the cause of Chaplains in the country.

A Chaplain praying for the patient

The group also suggested the upgrading of the CPE programme run for counsellors in Koforidua, in order to award professional certificates recognized by Ghana Psychology Council.

They appealed to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) for the approval and recognition of the Chaplains Association as well as the appointment of fulltime chaplains to health facilities.

The Chaplains numbering 34 indicated the need for the registration of the Association as a body and members with the Ghana Psychology Council in order to receive licenses to enable them to operate professionally in the health facilities.

Similarly, Fr. Donkor on behalf of the Association called for the synchronization of salaries and appraisal of Chaplains, leading to promotion. They also appealed for sponsorship for professional training to improve their professionalism.

Mr. George Adjei, Director of Health at the NCHS, who underscored the relevance of the Chaplains in health institutions added his voice to the appeal for a National Chaplain and recognition of the Chaplains by the Ghana Catholic Bishop’s Conference, just like the Chaplains in the Security Services and Tertiary Institutions.

Commenting on the appraisal and promotion of Chaplains, the Director said the Executive Secretaries in the Arch/Dioceses were best placed to appraise the Chaplains in their work on behalf of the respective Arch/Bishops.

Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Bishop of Ho and Episcopal Chairman for Health who sat through the meeting, urged the Association to present a proposed job description for the National Chaplain office for the evaluation and consideration by the Bishop’s Conference.

For the Association to be recognized by the Bishop’s Conference, Bishop Fianu advised them to present a Constitution, which clearly spells out important details of their scope of work for the Bishops consideration.

On the last day of the meeting, Bishop Joseph Francis K. Essien, Bishop of the Diocese hosted the Chaplains to a special dinner at the Pastoral Centre.

Fr. Donkor on behalf of his confreres thanked the Bishop for hosting them and giving them the treat.

Women Empowerment is Paramount

The Graduands

Rev. Bro. Bartholomew Kamara, Provincial Superior of the St. Augustine Province of the Hospitaller Brothers of the St John of God Congregation, has underscored the need to invest in women economic empowerment programme in Africa.

He said economic empowerment project aimed at helping empower women to become self-reliant in taking care of their children was key.

“In life, someone has to support you to get somewhere,” he observed, adding that empowering anyone was the best thing to do.

He made the remarks during the graduation of 13 women who had skill training under the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women instituted by the St. Augustine Province of Africa of the Hospitaller Brothers of the St. John of God at Amrahia, Accra.

Bro. Kamara (R) presenting a Certificate to one of the women.

To sustain the project, Bro. Kamara appealed to the Ministry of Health and the public to support the programme to reach out to more women and urged the beneficiaries to stay focus and persevere in order to make a difference in their own lives.

The women who were presented with certificates and materials to start up graduated after six-month of intensive training in bead making, bleach and liquid soap making as well as how to make key holders, bracelets, necklaces, and paper bags among others.

The Economic Empowerment Programme for Women, which is under the auspices of the Curia of the St. Augustine Province of the St. John of God Hospitaller Brothers, is an intervention to equip women to gain skills and empower them economically to able to cater for themselves and their children.

Some of the beneficiaries showcasing their wares.

According to Ms. Evelyn Agyemang, Nursing Manager of the Hospital, during the routine visit of the Public Health Nurses to surrounding communities under the catchment area of the Hospital, they observed the situation of many unemployed single mothers with malnourished children. 

Besides, most of the mothers who sought treatment at the Hospital were unable to foot the medical bills, thus burdening the facility.

To address this challenge, the Provincial Superior, the Curia and the St. John of God Hospital Management at Amrahia, introduced the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women to support women become self-reliant and to provide nutritious meals to their children.

Mrs. Marian Adeyemi, Project Officer of the programme who observed that efforts were underway to improve the programme to enable more women benefit from it, said the second phase would soon start.

Meanwhile, the Financial Controller of the St. Augustine Province, Mr. Valentine K. Bruku, who hinted of a possible replication of the programme in other seven countries of Africa, where the St. John of God operates, called on donors to support the programme for more women to benefit from it.

Madam Vivian Hodgson, Public Health Nurse at the Adentan Municipal Health Directorate, who represented the Municipal Health Director, commended the St. John of God for the project, geared towards empowering women.

A section of the beneficiaries. 

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms. Belinda Gyduaa, thanked the Provincial Superior of the Congregation, their teachers as well as the Hospital Management for thinking of them and opening their doors to them.

Likewise, Madam Gina Senanu, Class Prefect of the trainees, made a presentation to their teachers and thanked them for their patience and commitment to impart in their lives.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed delight about the training and promised to put what they have learned into good use.

Fr. Tseggai celebrated

Fr. Tseggai (2nd R) with other Priests

The National Catholic Secretariat (NCS) in Accra, has honoured Rev. Fr. Kibrom Tseggai, a Consultant on Records and Information Management, working on the records of the NCS, who recently marked his 40^th Anniversary of priestly ordination.  

Ms. Ladje Vondee, Human Resource Manageress and Administrator of the NCS, who presented a parcel to Fr. Tseggai on the occasion of his 40^th Priestly anniversary, at a thanksgiving Mass, acknowledging his tireless service to the Church.

An elated Fr. Tseggai, who thanked the NCS for the honour, called for a serious policy to guide the preservation of records in the country.

He bemoaned the little attention given to the sector of information and record storage, and called for investment in the area to manage, and ensure the training of personnel in proper record keeping and preservation of documents. 

“With requisite investment in the record preservation and quality data management,” he expressed optimism that Africa countries could speed up the rate of their development since there was ready access to credible data and information.

Fr. Tesggai, who was ordained Priest on 3^rd December 1978 in Asmara, the Eritrean Capital, had served in various capacities as Assistant Parish Priest, Coordinator of Relief and Rehabilitation Development in Keren Zone, and Parish Priest at Boggu. 

He was also onetime Editor of the National Catholic Newspaper Haqin Hiwetin from February 1999 to September 2001 in Eritrea.

Ms. Vondee making the presentation to Fr. Tseggai

Prior his assignment fideum donum to work in the Archdiocese of Accra in November 2010, Fr. Tseggai had studied at the University of Ghana.

In a brochure to mark his 40^th Priestly Anniversary, titled ‘The Journey So Far’, he shared some near-death experiences in the course of his priestly life and noted that his secret has been his unflinching faith in God.

He urged Priests to trust God, and be committed to the work they do no matter how insignificant they may be, adding that the priesthood is a call to service by carrying ones cross following in the steps of Christ.

Commending Fr. Tseggai’s for his steadfast love and passion for his ministry, Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the NCS, noted that 40 years in the priesthood was grace. “The celebrant has gone through a lot in his priestly ministry”, he said, thanking him for his dedication, and commitment in his ministry.

Marshallans assist Centre of Hope

The Council 74 and Court 67 of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, has handed over a newly constructed Female and Male washroom to the Centre of Hope, a Catholic charity organisation at Abossey Okai, Accra.

The project estimated at a cost of GH¢ 37,244.58, was part of the Annual Charity programme of the Order aimed at supporting the Centre and its patrons access a good place of convenience.

Bro. Edward Agbeyome Grand Knight of Council 74, together with Sis. Akanbee Agamu Asokea, Noble Lady of Court 67, thanked members of the Order and their benefactors through whose support the project was completed.

He noted that the project, undertaken by the Grand Knight and Noble Lady of the 17^th administration, was the fruit of collaboration with Centre of Hope, after they (leaders of the Order) engaged Sr. Colette Mwaakpaar, FMM, Administrator of the Centre, who enumerated a number of needs of the Centre, and settled on washroom project.

Sis. Asokea assured of their continued support to the Centre, noted that some members of the Order would look at ways to assist the Centre to erect a security post.

Recounting the history of the Centre, Prof. Edmund Delle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre of Hope, stated that the Centre was established in 1990 by Most Rev. Dominic K. Andoh of Blessed Memory to serve the needs of the poor, needy, the sick, invalid and the vulnerable groups in the city.

“The Centre had lived this mission of care and inspiring hope, through the support of the people of faith over the years” he stated, and commended the Marshallans for building a beautiful edifice for the Centre.

Similarly, Sr. Colette who thanked the Marshallans for their commitment to building the project, appealed to the Order to further extend their assistance to the Centres numerous project.

She expressed the hope that the Order and other benevolent organisations, would continue to support the Centre to serve the poor and needy.   

Prepare Students for life

The Participant with dignitaries at the function

Very Rev. Fr. Joseph K. Nsiah, Vicar General of Jasikan Diocese, has appealed to teachers not to only teach their pupils and students for exams but to prepare them for life.

Describing teachers as agents for change and development, he entreated them not to be content with they already know but to improve and update their knowledge in order to enhance their delivery.

He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a month-long in-service training programme for teachers from the eight political districts under the Jasikan District, at the Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre, Nsuta-Buem 

The in-service training, the second of its kind in the Diocese aimed at improving educational standards in the eight Districts, was organized by the Jasikan Diocesan Development Office, with sponsorship from Manos Unidas-Spain

Fr. Nsiah, citing the example of Japan and other countries, making through investment in their human resources, called for the same investment in teachers and students in the country, stressing the need for supervision for teachers to deliver.

To make this a reality, Mr. Innocent Bediako, Nkwanta North District Director of Education, also tasked teachers to stay committed to their profession and impact positively in the lives of their pupils and students.

He challenged teachers to add value to themselves, accept posting to deprived communities and share knowledge with their colleagues in order to give off their best at all stages of education to help groom good citizens for the country.

Similarly, Mr. Lawrence Aziale, Jasikan District Chief Executive, who commended the Jasikan Diocese for the project, observed that in-service training was critical for teachers to sharpen their tools in order to deliver.

He also urged teachers to appreciate their profession, motivate themselves, as well as encourage each other, and explore their environment and make the best of the opportunities there.  

In line with its vision for education, he said the District has established Scholarship schemes for Teachers and Best graduating students in the District to pursue further studies at the University.

Speaking on the theme: Education-Tool for Change for Development, Mr. Linus Attey, a retired educationist, noted that policy and administrative inconsistencies were affecting education delivering in the country.

He, therefore, called on stakeholders to rededicate themselves for the betterment of education in the country, urging the Government to ensure the completion of all uncompleted school buildings, and the provision of Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) on time.

To ensure the attainment of quality and responsive education, Mr. Attey also called for the motivation of teachers to give off their best, while urging the teachers to accept posting to rural areas.

Some participants who spoke to the Catholic Standard expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the programme notes that the training would go a long way to impact on their delivery in their respective schools.

The Science teachers, who were taken through the training in the first week were able to find simple innovative ways of developing mirror periscope, osmosis, and diffusion experiment with local materials. 

Fr. Pius Biamse, Director Diocesan Development Office noted that the in-service training for the 480 teachers of Science, Mathematics, English, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) was to support teachers at the basic school level and hone their skills with innovative ways teach the pupils.

He thanked Most Rev. Gabriel A.A. Mante, Bishop of the Diocese, as well as Seth Appiah and Josephine Sika who supports him at the Development Office.       

Among dignitaries’ present were some chiefs and Rev. Msgr. Vincent Antie, Director of the Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre.

Be wary of land grabbers

Chiefs and stool heads have been urged to be wary of multinational companies and their cohorts who seek to buy large tracts of their lands.

Nana Tidibo

Nana Tidibo Kowura Odamba II, Paramount Chief of Ntroboman Traditional Area in the Nwanta South District of the Volta Region, advised the chiefs and those responsible for the lands in their communities, stressing that they should opt for a partnership instead of the outright sale of the lands.

He made the remarks as part of in-service training for teachers in the Jasikan Diocese at Nsuta-Buem.

“When you sell your land, you have sold your treasure and mortgage the future of your children” he stated, adding that the best they should do is to lease the land instead of selling the land.

Nana Odamba said since “our land belongs to our ancestors, the living and our descendants”, there was no need selling it outright in a way that deprives future children access to the land for their use.

He shared the bitter experience how one multinational company “led by our own people” and with the promise to develop his paramountcy got 3750 hectares of land, paying a paltry sum of $5 per acre per year.

He commended the Africa Network for Justice (AFNJ) for helping them in trying to rectify the irregularities in the agreement signed for the land.

With his experienced, he advised the Chiefs and stool heads in the country to be cautious of people who might front for some multinational groups in need of land to buy. “Please do not sell your lands” he pleaded.

Likewise, Mr. Wisdom Koffi Adjawlo, Programme Director of the Youth Volunteer in Environment, Ghana, speaking on the land grabbing, noted that the issue poses a huge threat to eradicating hunger and ending poverty as well as meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

H said there was a need for stakeholders to take action in tackling land grabbing and enrich their knowledge on the issue in order to address it.

“We need to cherish what we have,” he said, adding that we all have a role to play in our own small ways to preserve our land and ensure food sovereignty that would eventually help us end poverty.

Other speakers including the Mr. Lawrence Aziale, District Chief Executive for Jasikan, added their voices to calls for traditional leaders not to sell land, adding they could at best enter into a partnership with the investors who might want to buy their land.

New Choir Robes for St. Matthew Choir

Mr. Ansah with Fr. Bempah and the Choristers 

A new set of choir robes has been presented to the St. Mathew Adult Choir at Tarkwa by a parishioner of the Church at a thanksgiving Mass. 

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Ansah, who made the donation to the Choir, said the gesture was in appreciation to God for the care and healing of Mr. Samuel Ansah, who was taken ill in the last two years.

Mr. Ansah who narrated his near-death ordeal including the harrowing pain, discomfort and the burden of managing the sickness over two-years told the Catholic Standard he was grateful for what God has done for him through those trying moments.

As a sign of thanksgiving, his family presented the robes to support the Choir in their singing ministry.

Alongside the new robes, the Ansah family also provided 75 branded T-Shirts for the Youth Choir and 40 capes to the Singing Band at the Church.

  

Tarkwa St. Theresa marks 25th Milestone

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”.

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 4^th April 1992.

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.

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.

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.