It is that time of the year again when during the Holy Week, at the various Cathedrals and Basilicas in Dioceses and Archdioceses of the Catholic Church, the celebration of Mass of the Holy Oils, popularly referred to as the Chrism Mass, is organized. These oils are blessed and consecrated to be used for the Sacraments, as demonstration of our communion with the people we serve.
On Tuesday, 12th April, the 2022 version of the Koforidua Diocesan Chrism Mass was colourfully celebrated at the St. George Catholic Cathedral Church, Koforidua, with the Liturgy presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, and concelebrated by Priests in the Diocese. Also at the celebration were some Religious Brothers and Sisters, delegates from each parish and outstations, health professionals and institutions as well as parishioners from the Cathedral.
In addressing the congregation, the Bishop, reflecting from the First Reading recalls Isaiah’s exhortation that the Lord has anointed us. "Each one of us has been anointed in Baptism, some of us deepened that commitment in our anointing at Ordination.
When we were anointed in Baptism, in Confirmation, in Anointing of the Sick or in Ordination we were united with Christ, the Anointed One. He has called us to bring his Gospel to the situation we find ourselves in today. It is not easy, but it was never supposed to be easy! Let us be open and generous in our response. We are not alone; he is with us".
“The Church, today needs to enact the Kingdom vision of Jesus more than ever. In the midst of the moral, economic and environmental wreckage, we are summoned to be the custodians and enablers of God’s life-giving dream. The crisis we face is a time of grace insofar as it engages us with our founding stories and with fresh insights, we can offer a new way forward. Let us pray that we may grow and persevere through chaos and uncertainty in order to be more aligned with God’s purpose. May we become God’s priestly and holy people, anointed to serve and with the one who is the Alpha and Omega, may we bring the Kingdom to birth and to fruitfulness in the world,” the Bishop said.
Also, during the celebration, the Priests renewed their Priestly promises and commitment, while the lay faithful also promised to pray for the Bishop and the Priests to be committed to the ministry. The day also coincided with three Priests celebrating their anniversaries into the Priesthood: Very Rev. Msgr. Sylvester Agyapong, who celebrated his Ruby Jubilee as well as Rev. Frs. Ernest Opare-Amoako and Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah who celebrated their Silver Jubilee.
