Thumbs-up to the Youth from Germany

Currently our Diocese is hosting Three German Youth from the Diocese of Eichstätt for their Internship. Lumen Christi Newsletter welcomes them to the Diocese.
Charlotte Marietta Büdel who is 19 years old arrived in Ghana in August 2022 and will leave in September 2023. She is in the Diocese for a one-year voluntary programme in the name of the Diocese Eichstätt, which is member of the government organisation "Weltwärts“. Her programme includes helping out in the Madonna School in Koforidua as an assistant teacher in Kindergarten.
Stefan Eberl, is 25 years old. He arrived in Ghana of 28th February 2023. He is a student of practical Theology at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Germany. In September 2022, he was Ghana for 2 weeks, as part of the team of the Youth of the Diocese of Eichstätt during their exchange-programme with St George Cathedral COSRA in Koforidua. It was during this time that the idea of having his internship in Ghana was born. He will be in the diocese until the end of July 2023. He is working at Madonna School and St. George Cathedral parish for his internship programme.
Laura, also from Germany, 22 years old, is a medical Student in the 4th year of University, doing an Internship at Eastern Regional Hospital Koforidua: She arrived in Ghana on 28th February for a five-week internship programme. She will return to her home country on 5th May 2023. Laura is connected to the St.George Cathedral-Parish because of the Partnership between COSRA and BDKJ
Diocese Eichstätt
ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, KOFORIDUA GETS NEW ADMINISTRATOR

On Sunday 26th December, 2021, the St. George Catholic Cathedral Parish rejoiced over the induction of a new Cathedral administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Afum Attah Asumadu, into office by Rev. Msgr. Francis Twum-Barimah, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua.
It was all joy and gratitude to God when the colorful event took place during a Eucharistic celebration to mark the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was presided over by Rev. Msgr. Francis Twum Barimah and concelebrated by six other priests from the Diocese. In attendance were some Religious Sisters, family members, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), parishioners and friends of the new Administrator who came from other sister parishes.
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‘THE CHURCH NEEDS DEDICATED CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS’, NUNCIO TELLS SEMINARIANS
‘THE CHURCH NEEDS DEDICATED CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS’, NUNCIO TELLS SEMINARIANS
As part of his three days visit to Koforidua Diocese to participate in the activities of the climax of the Year of St Joseph, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency Most Rev. Henryk Jagodzinski, paid a historic visit to Pope John XXIII Minor Seminary at Effiduase-Koforidua and interacted with the Seminarians, Staff and Formators, and had Evening Prayer with them. This took place on Friday 10th December, the very day of the Nuncio’s arrival in the diocese.

Welcoming the Apostolic Nuncio to the Seminary, the Rector, Very Rev. Fr Marcellus Gorleku said the visit of the Nuncio is historic and will go down into the annals of the Seminary as one of the most memorable.
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THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO CLIMAXES THE YEAR OF ST JOSEPH WITH SOLEMN HOLY MASS
On Sunday, 12th December, His Excellency Most Rev. Henryk Jagodzinski, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana Presided over Holy Mass at St George Cathedral in Koforidua to Climax the Year of St Joseph. Welcoming the Nuncio on behalf the Bishop, Priests, Religious and Christ’s faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, Very Rev. Fr Joseph Afum Attah Asumadu, the Cathedral Administrator, said the Diocese was pleased to have his Excellency to visit during such an important celebration to Climax the yearlong celebration of the Patron of the Universal Church.
The Cathedral
Administrator in his welcome address reiterated the many ways in which the Year of St Joseph had been celebrated in Koforidua Diocese under the directives of Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum. These he said included praying the prayer of St Joseph daily at Masses and Services, hoisting of banners in all Parishes across the Diocese in honour of St Joseph, talks on St Joseph, Pilgrimages, Hospital and prisons visitations, Children and Youth Programmes within the year highlighting St Joseph and the Feast of Joseph, Husband of Mary and Joseph the Worker were celebrated on 19th March and 1st May respectively in the various Parishes with lots of activities.
The Vatican Ambassador greeted all and sundry and expressed his joy to celebrate such a solemn occasion with them. He addressed them, ‘with great joy, I bring to you the blessings and greetings of Pope Francis. I carry it, as his representative to your beautiful country for this special occasion. I cordially thank the Most. Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, bishop of Koforidua for invitation for this celebration. I greet all of you one by one’.
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SEMINAR ON PASTORAL AND FINANCIAL MATTERS AFTER THE EASING OF COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS
In the Wisdom of the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum in consultation with the Priests' Council is organising a Seminar on Pastoral and Financial Matters after easing of COVID-19 restrictions. This is ongoing at the Diocesan Pastoral and Training Centre at Koforidua. Each Parish is represented by the Parish, Priest, Parish Pastoral Council Chairman and a member of the Parish Finance Committee. The Deaneries of the Diocese have been grouped in two. The first group is scheduled to have the Seminar on 25th and 26th November and the second group on 26th to 27th November 2020. Pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide the discussions of this Seminar. Surely after COVID-19 things will not be the same.
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THREE PRIESTS ORDAINED FOR KOFORIDUA

Ordination to the priesthood is a ceremony that parishioners, religious and priests look forward to each year. As the number of priests increases, the pastoral ministry and evangelisation mission of the Church continue to enhance. The 2020 Priestly Ordination for the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua took place in the assembly hall of St. Roses Senior High Secondary School at Akwatia on Saturday 3rd October, amid strict observation of the COVID-19 protocols by all and sundry. In the colourful and well attended ordination ceremony, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah Agyekum, the Bishop ordained three Deacons into the Holy Priesthood. The ordinandi were Rev. George Yeboah of St. Anthony Parish Akwatia, Rev. Martin Delali Atitson of St. John Parish, Nsawam and Rev. Samuel Eli Adadey of Our Lady of Lourdes Quasi-Parish, Akyem Akroso.
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THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL AND TRAINING CENTRE GETS A GROTTO


The Chief Shepherd of the diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum presided over the blessing and dedication of a Grotto at the Diocesan Pastoral and Training Centre, Koforidua. The event took place on the Nativity of Mary, September 8, 2020. Among those present for the event was the Director of the Centre, V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Quainoo Aggrey, some diocesan priests who were having their Annual Retreat at the Centre and the staff of the facility. After the blessing and dedication, the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary was prayed to implore Our Lady's intercession.
MAY MARY INTERCEDE FOR OUR DIOCESE!
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PRIESTLY ORDINATION 2020

THE BISHOP'S MEMO ON THE RE-OPENING OF CHURCHES IN THE KOFORIDUA DIOCESE

TO : ALL CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS
SUBJECT: RE-OPENING OF CHURCHES
DATE: JUNE 3, 2020
May the Peace of the Lord be with you!Last sunday, May 31, the President of the Republic , His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo addresed the nation on the COVID -19 Pandemic. He announced a phased-easing of COVID - 19 restrictions begining Friday, June 5, 2020. He also mentioned that religious activities could start on Friday for the Muslim communities while Christians would start on Saturday, June 6 with the Adventist and for the other Christian groups on Sunday, June 7 with some further details.
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NEW LABORATORY AND ICU FOR ST DOMINIC HOSPITAL, AKWATIA

On Friday 22nd May 2020, the Bishop of Koforidua Diocese Most Rev Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum cut the tape to open an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), State-of-the-art Medical Laboratory and an electronic regulated Accident and Emergency Department at the St Dominic, Akwatia. These projects were constructed as commemorative edifices to mark the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hospital.
In his speech, the Administrator of the Hospital Rev. Fr Ebenezer Kenneth Abban said the realisation of the projects is an indication of the Management’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery to the clients of the facility within the Denkyembour District of the Eastern Region and beyond. With the accomplishment of these projects, the Hospital seems to demonstrate aptness in practical projection of its vision statement: “a health service that is best in meeting patients’ needs and expectation”. This was echoed in the welcome address when the Medical Director, Dr Maite Alfonso Romero, emphatically said that “St Dominic Hospital truly aims to make healthcare delivery more proactive, integrated and endearing for both our patients and the staff population at all time”. She further described the projects as “timely and appropriate”. In all, a total amount of GHS 684,955.73 went into the construction and furnishing of the three projects.
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