The St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society in the Accra Archdiocese, recently marked its Patron Feast Day with a thanksgiving Mass at the Don Bosco Technical Institute at Ashaiman, attended by over 3,000 members from the 64 branches in the Archdiocese.
The theme for the Feast was Celebrating the Love of God the St. Theresa Way.
Rev. Fr. Nimorious Kwabena Domanzing, SMA, Priest in-charge of the St. Francis of Assisi Rectorate at Ashaley-Botwe, in a homily said the theme was an invitation to members to renew their unquenchable confidence in God’s love as St. Theresa did.
He said as Christians and as Catholics, “we are called to witness to the Good News and be committed to God’s work”, calling on members to participate fully in the mission of Christ.
He urged members to imitate the humility and love of their Patron Saint by comforting those who were afflicted and helping to transform their pain and suffering into joy.
Fr. Domanzing reminded members of their duty to promote peace and unity, cautioning them to avoid segregation, tribalism or nepotism.
He advised them to guard against unhealthy rivalry and endeavor to woo back those who had back-tracked.
The main celebrant at the Mass was Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu of the St. Dominic Savio Church at Afienya who is the Spiritual Director of the Society.
Concelebrants included Rev. Frs. Lawrence Agyapong of the St. Agnes Church at Dodowa, (Major) Winfred Sraha from St. Martin, Teshie Camp and Samuel Akoto Mensah from the Cape Coast Archdiocese as well as some Salesians of Don Bosco.
Obaapanin Gloria Kwasie, Founder of the Society in the Archdiocese and Grand National President, thanked members for their support for its growth, urging them to show the same commitment to the growth of the Church.
As part of the celebration, fifteen members were honoured for pioneering the formation of the Society.
An inter-houses fund-raising competition was organised among the four Houses within the Society. Faith took the first position, Hope came second, Charity, third and Love, fourth.
After the Mass, members socialized with their colleagues from the various branches.
Present at the ceremony was the National President, Obaapanin Elizabeth Osei from the Sunyani Diocese and her Vice, Obaapanin Philomena Oppong from the Kumasi Archdiocese as well as the National Treasurer, Opanin Monica Addai from Goaso and Chaplain of the Society, Opanin Mary Ofoe, Accra.
*A section of the members at the Mass.
By Angela Ofosu Boateng
