Parishioners urged to walk in the footsteps of Patron Saint
By Doreen Darko and Damian Avevor
The St. Paul Catholic Church at Kpehe in Accra climaxed its 70th anniversary celebration with a call on the parishioners to follow the good examples of St. Paul, their Patron and learn to walk in his footsteps.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle who made the call in a homily on the Feast of the Conversion of Paul, urged them to emulate the attributes of Paul by encountering, knowing, loving, serving and living in Christ.
He asked Christians to strive to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into a deeper knowledge of Christ.
He said Christians were called to love, serve and be witnesses of Christ wherever they found themselves, adding that they were also called to grow in perfection and the maturity of Christ.
You should live so that you would be ready for His call at all times, he said.
The year-long celebration was on the theme: Not I But Christ (Gal 2:20).
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Palmer-Buckle, and concelebrated by Very Rev. Frs. Ted Nelson-Adjakpey, Parish Priest of the Kpehe Church; Francis Adoboli, Vicar General of the Accra Archdiocese and Joseph Henry Mensah, Parish Priest of the Corpus Christi Church at Sarkumono.
Others were Rev. Frs. David Arko Amissah, Parish of the Mary Mother of Good Counsel Church at Airport, Accra; Dieu Donne Davor from the Ho Diocese but a parishioner and Emmanuel Salifu, Assistant Priest of Kpehe Church.
Many parishioners attended the Mass in their Parish cloth embossed with the photo of St. Paul
Present were several dignitaries including Mr. Isaac Osei, Member of Parliament for Subin in the Ashanti Region, who chaired the second part of the programme and Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, Co-ordinator of Human Security at the Office of the President, who was the Guest Speaker.
The Chief Shepherd of Accra called on Christians to work hard, be honest, stand up for the truth even in persecution and have the courage to do the right things always, noting that the country would be a better place if 71 per cent of Christians in the country do the right things and were responsible.
Confirming 88 Catechumen at the Mass, he advised them to be prayerful, fast, do charity, study the Word of God and received the Holy Eucharist regularly to build their faith.
He urged their parents and Godparents to support them to grow in the Lord especially through prayers.
Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, Co-ordinator of Human Security at the Office of the President, called on Christians to be the conscience of the people and offer moral leadership to society.
This he said could only be achieved when they do the right things although some people choose to do wrong thing because it offered a great advantage to them.
He said this during the thanksgiving Mass to Climax the 70 Anniversary celebration of the Paul Catholic Church at Kpehe, Accra.
Brig. Gen. Nunoo-Mensah said Christians needed to have the courage not only to speak out against wrongdoing, but do what they know to be right no matter the consequences.
He also charged Christians to discharge their duties to the State responsibly.
The General said abandonment of the down-trodden in society had led to the upsurge of violence in the world because “the people under the pile of no access to food, shelter and water whereas the minority who have power and influence amass wealth to themselves have to fight their own battles for survival using any means including violence”.
He urged Christians to show love and concern, compassion to the less-privileged members of society, saying that these attributes lessen tension and make the country and the world at large a more congenial place to live in.
Mr. Isaac Osei urged Christians to live in faith and let their lives reflect to others what it means to be a= Christian and for the matter Catholics.
Activities for the year-long celebrations included Mass wedding, film show, clean-ups, candle-light procession and Adoration.
Fr. Adjakpey expressed gratitude to God for His graces and love over the years and commended the founding fathers and his predecessors for the great work done.
He also lauded the Parishioners for their support, co-operation and untiring efforts in building the Parish and called on them to live in unity.
The St. Paul Church was started in January, 1945 with 25 members. The first Holy Mass was celebrated by late Rev. Fr. Gerhard Fini.
The Kpehe Parish gave birth to many Churches and Communities in the Archdiocese including St. Sylvanus Parish at Pokuase; Abelenkpe Blessed Sacrament; St. George Church at Police Depot; St. Bakhita Church at Amasaman.
