COMMISSIONING OF 117 NEW CATECHISTS AT THE ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL, KOFORIDUA

In a historic and spiritually enriching ceremony on June 8, 2024, the St. George Cathedral witnessed the commissioning of 117 new Catechists during a Holy Mass. This event, held within the sacred confines of the Cathedral, was the first of its kind in the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua.

The Mass, presided over by the Bishop, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, was celebrated with great reverence and joy. The pews were filled with the spouses of the Catechists, families, friends, and parishioners who gathered to witness and partake in this important ecclesiastical event.
A considerable number of Priests were also in attendance, adding to the solemnity and significance of the occasion. The presence of both the Priests and the lay faithful was proof of the importance of the Catechists’ role in the Church's mission to evangelize and educate. It also underscored the collaborative effort and unity within the Church.
The Bishop delivered an inspiring homily that resonated deeply with all present. He spoke about the essential role of Catechists in the life of the Church, emphasizing their responsibility to nurture and educate the faithful. He reminded the new Catechists of the great responsibility and trust reposed in them, encouraging them to approach their ministry with humility, dedication, and love.

The commissioning ceremony was a profound and moving experience. Following the homily, the Bishop blessed each Catechist and their robes. The new Catechists, standing before the altar, made a public commitment to their new roles. They pledged to teach the doctrines of the Church faithfully, to live exemplary Christian lives, and to inspire others through their dedication and service.

As the Mass ended, the newly commissioned Catechists were greeted with warm congratulations and heartfelt well-wishes from the congregation. The joy and pride of the community were profound, reflecting the collective support for these newly commissioned Catechists. 

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STRENGTHENING PASTORAL MINISTRY THROUGH BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE: INSIGHTS FROM THE KOFORIDUA DIOCESAN PASTORAL LEADERS’ CONVOCATION

The recently concluded Pastoral Leaders' Convocation (Mini-Synod), convened by the Koforidua Diocese from 4th to 7th April 2024, at the Koforidua Diocesan Pastoral and Training Centre, had the theme: “Biblical Apostolate, An Essential Tool for Evangelization.” This vital gathering brought together the Clergy, Religious, and Laity to delve into the significance of integrating biblical principles into pastoral ministry/service.

Rev. Fr. Prof. George Ossom-Batsa delivered the Keynote Address. Drawing from decades of scholarly engagement and pastoral experience, Fr. Prof. Ossom-Batsa expressed the need to embrace Biblical Apostolate as a foundational pillar of effective pastoral ministry. He emphasised the relevance of Scripture in guiding, nourishing, and revitalizing the Church’s mission in today’s dynamic world.

At the Mini Synod, Pastoral Leaders learned new ways to talk about the Bible with their communities (parishes, schools, hospitals, etc.) The workshop and presentations facilitated the rich exchange of insights, experiences, and best practices needed in every facet of their lives.
Participants left energised, equipped with renewed zeal and practical tools to infuse the Word of God in their ministries. Beyond mere proclamation, they embraced the call to embody the Gospel message in their daily lives, becoming living testimonies of God’s love and mercy.

As we reflect on the profound insights gathered from the Convocation, we are reminded that Biblical Apostolate is not merely an academic pursuit but a call to authentic discipleship and missionary outreach. It is a call on us to deepen our encounter with the living Word of God and to share its transformative power with others.

Let us, therefore, heed the clarion call to integrate Biblical Apostolate into every facet of pastoral ministry. May the seeds sown during this Convocation bear abundant fruits, ushering in a new era of spiritual renewal and vitality within the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua and beyond.

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LET THE HOLINESS OF YOUR LIVES ATTRACT MANY TO THE LIGHT OF THE MESSIAH - V. REV. FR. JOSEPH AFUM ATTAH ASUMADU, THE CATHEDRAL ADMINISTRATOR, TO THE NEWLY ORDAINED DEACONS

In a profound and reverent ceremony, the diaconate ordination of six candidates; Ebenezer Adu, Maxwell Alaaje, Thomas Ahiaduvor, David Matey Nanor, Gilbert Gbogbo Morthy Jnr., and Kwame Amissah Adu, took place within the solemn context of the Holy Mass at the St. George Cathedral Church, Koforidua, on the 7^th of January 2024.

The Holy Mass unfolded with each element carefully woven into the fabric of the diaconate ordination. The Liturgy of the Word featured scripture readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The homily, delivered by V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Afum Attah Asumadu, the Cathedral Administrator, was meticulously crafted to touch on the Epiphany and the diaconate ordination. Addressing the soon-to-be ordained deacons, the homilist encouraged them saying; “... in the midst of a world darkened by immorality, fraud, same-sex unions, corruption, love of money, lies, and deception, abuse of technology…, the Lord is calling you. He wants you to be the light to enlighten the darkness of this world. The light to dispel the darkness of this world. He wants you to arise and shine so that the holiness of your lives will attract many to the light of the Messiah whose Epiphany we celebrate. He is sending you to make a difference. He is calling you to shine and be an instrument of transformation. He is sending you to go and enlighten the world with the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you will soon become”. He again stressed on the need for them to be available to serve.

Ordination Rite continued with conscientious attention to detail. The laying on of hands accompanied by the prayer of consecration, by the ordaining bishop, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah–Agyekum, the Catholic Bishop of Koforidua Diocese, imparted the sacred authority of the diaconate upon each candidate.

The newly ordained deacons were vested with the diaconal stole and dalmatic, outward signs of their new order. The presentation of the Book of the Gospels affirmed their role as heralds of the Word, entrusted with the sacred duty of proclaiming the Good News to the faithful.

The deacons actively participated in the liturgy, assisting at the altar and distributing Holy Communion. The faithful, gathered in prayerful witness, shared in the joy of this sacred occasion.

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A PRIESTHOOD OF PRAYER AND SERVICE, NOT AFFLUENCE OR POWER – BISHOP AFRIFAH-AGYEKUM

On Saturday, 12th August 2023, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, the Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, presided at Holy Mass during which he ordained on nine (9) Deacons as Priests for the Diocese of Koforidua. Concelebrating with the Prelate were Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare (Auxiliary Bishop of Accra Archdiocese), the Vicar General, Monsignori, as well as scores of Priests across the length and breadth of the Diocese and beyond. This colourful and solemn celebration, which was hosted by the Koforidua Deanery, took place at the Madonna School. Also in attendance were Catholic faithfuls, family relatives, benefactors and benefactresses, friends and loved ones of the Ordianadi, Religious Brothers, Sisters and Seminarians. It is of interest to note that in the history of the Diocese, the day’s event was a very historic one, because the nine deacons who were ordained into the priesthood, was the second highest when after twenty-two years, ten deacons were also ordained as priests in 2001 at a similar occasion by the then Bishop of Koforidua, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle (now the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast).
In a brief homily delivered by the Bishop, he expressed his gratitude to the Parents of the Ordinandi for offering their sons to be ordained for Mother Church, saying, “Today, these our sons are the center of attention of the People of God, symbolically represented by the families and parish communities which they come from. They fill here with their prayers and singing, with their sincere and deep affection, their authentic emotion, their human and spiritual joy.”
Reflecting on the chosen Readings, the Chief-Shepherd of Koforidua Diocese addressed those he ordained to be mindful of the fact that “many today have accepted the call to the Priesthood but are not doing the work of the Priest.”He exhorted them to exercise their sacred duty of teaching, sanctifying, pastoring in the name of Christ, in humility and obedience; imparting to everyone the Word of God which they have received with joy, meditating in prayer and contemplation and to believe what they teach and practice, adding that they must celebrate the Mass and other Sacraments in faith and reverence. He also entreated the faithful to pray for them and compliment them with good counsel.

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