It is in the light of this that Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, on Sunday 17th February 2019, for the first time in the history of the Diocese, commissioned Fifteen (15) lay people as Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion in the Krobo Deanery of Koforidua Diocese. The celebration took place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Agomanya.
The Bishop in his homily first of all, entreated all and sundry to pray for doctors and health workers as they go about their daily activities as the give health assistance to humanity. He added that we must all be concerned with our health and always visit the hospital whenever we experience any ill health. He said this in relation to the joint launching of the 27th World Day of the sick by the Accra / Koforidua Arch / Diocesan Health Services which took place in the Diocese at St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Agomanya on the 16th of February 2019.
Reflecting on the readings of the day, from the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah helps us to know the dangers involved in putting our total trust in human beings and turn away from God. He calls blessed, those who put their total trust in God. They are like a tree planted by water, its roots always draws strength from the water and is not afraid of when the heat will come.
Linking it to the Gospel reading of the day from the Gospel according to Luke, he said all those who are called blessed are those who depend solely on God and put their total trust in Him. These words give us the assurance, hope and courage to rely solely on God in order to enjoy the fullness of His love, peace and blessedness and that he will open to us His eternal glory.
On the other hand, those on whom the woes are proclaimed, are those whose hearts are far from God and depend solely on their wealth and put their trust in humanity. On this he explained, those characteristic elements spoken of in the woes are not bad in themselves. However, the use and expression of them makes them not proper in the eyes of God.
He then encouraged all the faithful to have confidence in the God that we serve, depend solely on him and put our total trust in Him. For human beings can fail and disappoint but God does not fail and will not disappoint.
Bringing his homily to an end, he addressed the candidates in the following manner:
Ø You have gone through a period of training, teachings and instructions, know that the Eucharist is the highest point of our Christian life, prayer and worship, hence it must be treated with reverence and never be underestimated in anyway.
Ø Live an exemplary lives so that your way of life do not cause scandal to anyone.
Ø Develop a life of Prayer. Have devotion to the Eucharist. Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, because it is your spiritual food
Ø Be ready to assist the Priests in caring for the sick and the aged
Ø Be decent in your dressing (no ‘Ottofista’ or ‘I’m aware’)
Ø Prepare yourself well anytime you are coming for Mass.
Ø Finally, know that your duty is limited only to your individual Parishes.
He ended his homily by asking for the grace of God upon the candidates to help them keep to the task that will be entrusted to their care.
After the homily, the rite of the commissioning followed suit as the Bishop sat in front of the Altar, called out the candidates, assessed, received and prayed over them. They were then given their proper vestments for the task. The Bishop with the Priests present congratulated the candidates for their new status in the church. There were Ten (10) Priests who concelebrated with the Bishop. Out of the 15 candidates, Ten are from Agomanya Parish, Two from Akosombo Parish, Two from Somanya Parish and One from Asesewa Parish, all in the Krobo Deanery.
