SEKONDI TAKORADI

DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION M A Y – J U N 2 0 1 8

ISSUE NO. 7

IN T HIS
ISSUE

BISHOP KWOFIE Pg
CELEBRATES .1
DIAMOND JUBI-
LEE

HOLY CHILD Pg
COLLEGE .2
HOLDS 11TH
CONGREGA-
TION

“EDIFY YOUR Pg BISHOP KWOFIE CELEBRATES DIAMOND JUBILEE

COMMUNITIES .3
WITH YOUR Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp., Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese has
GITS” - BISHOP celebrated 60 years of life. The Diamond Jubilee celebration was commemorated with a line-
KWOFIE. up of activities including a dinner with the Priests and Religious, a choral concert and a
thanksgiving Mass.
AYEEKO, SIS- Pg
TERS OF ST, 5 On Thursday, April 26, 2018, which was the Bishop’s Birthday, a dinner was held in honor
ANNE of the Bishop’s 60th birthday. Attendees at the dinner included Archbishop Pascal N'koué,
Archbishop of Parakou Archdiocese, Benin as well as Priests and Religious working in the
SEKONDI TA- Pg diocese.
KORADI DIO- .4
CESE HOSTS A choral concert was also organized in honor of Bishop in his hometown of Apowa, a suburb
PROVINCIAL of Takoradi. The concert which was held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 was organized by the
STUDY SESSION Apowa Youth Choir in collaboration with Catholic Praise Choir from Kumasi. Other choirs
who performed at the concert included St. John the Evangelist Choir, Apowa; Holy Rosary
Choir, Takoradi; St. Martin De Porres Choir, Kwesimintsim.
REV. FR. DR. ATTA Pg The Diamond Jubilee celebration was climaxed with a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, April
AIDOO RETURNS .8 29, 2018 at the Star of the Sea Cathedral, Takoradi presided over by Most Rev. John
HOME
Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp and concelebrated by Archbishop Pascal N'koué, Msgr. Abuah-
Quansah, Fr. Raphael Mensah, Fr. Appiah Himin Asante, Fr. Mesu, Fr. Attakruh, Fr. Austin,
TWO PRIESTS Pg
AWARDED DOC-
Fr. Kaitoo, Fr. Brocke, Fr. Paulus Afful, Fr. Sikayena, Fr. Adjei, Fr. Sireboe CSSp, Fr. Biney
.9
TORATE DEGREES CSSp, Fr. Aboagye CSSp, Fr. Abekah, Fr. Boafo, Fr. Bekoe, Fr. Conduah, Fr. Cudjoe and
Fr. Fuakye.

Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp was born on 26th April 1958. He was ordained
a priest on 23rd July 1988 and ordained Bishop of the Sekondi Takoradi Diocese on 13th
Seotember 2014.
HOLY CHILD HOLDS 11TH CONGREGATION — MISS REBECCA
ASSAN EMERGES OVERALL BEST STUDENT.
The Holy Child College of Education, Takoradi, has held her 11thCongregation for the Conferment of Diplo-
mas under the theme; “Teacher Licensing in Ghana; Prospects and the Way Forward”. The ceremony which
was held at the Sr. Cornelia Connelly Hall on the 26th May, 2018 saw a total of 240 students graduating with 4
students obtaining 1st class honours, 57 students and 103 students also received 2nd class Upper and Lower
honours respectively while 61 students had 3rd class honours and 15 students obtained passes.

The Principal of the College, Mrs Lemaire delivering her address which
focused on academic performance, project interventions, infrastructural
development and sports drew attention to some of the challenges con-
fronting the College. These challenges include financial clearance to en-
able the college employ critical staff as well as the stalling of works on
the two storey Science Laboratory and the Early Childhood Center.

She therefore solicits for help from the government to facilitate their
completion. She further charged the graduans not to see their graduation
as the end of their academic and professional ambition, but as stepping
stones to greater achievements.

Mrs. Gifty Kusi (Deputy Western Regional Minister), who represented

the Western Regional Minister, affirmed the importance of Teacher Li-
censing to the provision of quality education in Ghana. She stated
that “licensing of teachers is the path to ensuring quality that will ulti-
mately result to the attainment of excellence in operations. Standardiza-
tion is synonymous with quality and quality is synonymous with excel-
lence. Teacher licensing will therefore help to remove teachers who fail
to demonstrate solid knowledge of their teaching subject and prevent
effectiveness in the classroom”.

A total of eighteen awards were presented to deserving graduating students from various sponsors. Ms Re-
becca Assan emerged the overall best student with a total of 7 awards.
The 11th Congregation was chaired by Dr. Newman, (National Council Tertiary Education.)
Dignitaries who attended the program included Mrs. Gifty Kusi (Deputy Western Regional Minister), Msgr.
Francis Abuah-Quansah (Vicar General), Dr. Betty Nanor-Arthur (Guest of Hon-
our), Madam Henritta Eyison (DCE Ahanta Weat), Madam Faustina Coppson (National Best Teacher, 2017), ,
Prof Eric Wilmot (U.C.C), Mrs Cecilia H. Quaye (Immediate Past Principal) as well as some priests and reli-
gious from the diocese.
“EDIFY THE COMMUNITY WITH YOUR “TEACH THE YOUTH TO UNDERSTAND THEIR
GIFTS” BISHOP KWOFIE CHARGES CATHO- CATHOLIC HERITAGE” BISHOP KWOFIE ADVISES.
LICS.

Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp. Bishop

of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese has urged Catholics to
use their gifts to edify the Christian community and
not for their selfish interest. He gave
the admonition while delivering his homily during the
celebration of Pentecost Sunday on 20th May, 2018, at
the Star of the
Sea Cathedral, Takoradi. Bishop Kwofie further added
that just as Jesus Christ was sent by the Father, the dis-
ciples of Jesus Christ also ought to carry out their mis-
sion as messengers in the manner and style of Jesus
Christ. There is therefore the need to embrace the
mission of the church given by Christ by all peoples. Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp ,Bishop of the
Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi has called for the edu-
The Eucharistic celebration which was presided over cation of the youth in order to help them understand their
by Bishop Kwofie, also had Msgr. Francis Abuah- Catholic heritage. He made the call in a homily during the
Quansah, Very Rev. Raphael Mensah, Very Rev. Pe- celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi as part of a four day
ter Ekow Kaitoo, Rev. Frs. George Nii Brock, Mar- pastoral visit to the St. Francis Xavier Parish, Prestea.
cel Sikayena, Bernard Abekah Paulus Afful and Mar-
tial Kuoame concelebrating. The Bishop described the youth as 'the future of the church
and society' and therefore charged the adults to ensure that
Also present were the “Chorale de l’Union de Cote they are educated in the Catholic faith. This, he said, will not
D’Ivoire”; a Gregorian choir group made up of mem- only help the youth to understand the Catholic faith, but will
bers from four Arch/dioceses in Cote D’Ivoire. This also equip them to become teachers of the faith to their peers,
choir mainly sings in Latin, especially the Gregorian and also, as replacements for our ageing catechists.
chant, aimed at keeping the Latin tunes alive.
The Prelate also asked the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) re-
Bishop Kwofie also confirmed thirty-seven candi- flect on the following concerns , namely: the youth, the cate-
dates during the celebration. chist, church lands and the re-organization of the Parish.

The pastoral visit which started on Friday, June 1st and ended
on Monday, June 4th 2018 saw the Bishop visiting Himan,
Anyinam, Sankofa Gold Company and Golden Star Mining
Limited. It also offered the Bishop the opportunity to interact
with the faithful, as well as, the Chiefs and the Elders of the
communities, and also offered him a first hand experience of
underground mining.

Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie also confirmed 149 can-

didates as part of his pastoral visit, and encouraged them to
use their spiritual gifts for the benefits of the church.

The Bishop was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Men-

sah (Chancellor). They were welcomed to St. Francis Xavier
Parish by Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Eshun (Parsh Priest and
Dean of Tarkwa Deanery) and Rev. Fr. Eric Anyidor
 SEKONDI TAKORADI DIOCESE HOSTS PROVINCIAL
STUDY SESSION FOR THE YOUTH

The Cape Coast Ecclesiastical Province has held its annual Provincial Study Session at the St. Kizito Pastoral
Centre, Apowa from the 20th to 22nd April, 2018.

The session was attended by delegates from Cape Coast Archdiocese as well as the Wiawso and Sekondi-
Takoradi Dioceses. Delegates were taken through topics such as entrepreneurship, government policy on entre-
preneurship, identifying financial strategies and Marketing strategies.

The thanksgiving Mass to climax the study session was held on Sunday, 22nd April, 2018 at St. John the
Evangelist Parish, Apowa. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Dolphyne, the Parish Priest, charged the youth not to wait to be
holy before responding to the call of God. He mentioned that "when you come to God just as you are, holiness
will then be a consequence of your response to God.

He further reminded them that the promotion of vocations must not only be limited to praying for vocations
but must also include doing concrete things that will foster, encourage and support vocations.

The theme for this year's Study Session was "Integral Pastoral Care of the Family in the Light of Amoris Laeti-
tia“. The Provincial Study Session was instituted when GHANCYC decided to empower Ecclesiastical Prov-
inces in the country to enable them form Provincial Youth Councils.

The resource persons for the Study Session were Mr. Francis Ackon Boadu (Entrepreneur), Mr. K. B. Wil-
son, Mr. K. B. Wilson (former Director for Ghana Supply Chain, Western Region), Mr. Stephen Blighton
(Head of Economic Planning Unit, Western Region), and Rev. Fr. Wilfred Bebodu (Parish Priest- Tikobo 1
 AYEEKO! SISTERS OF ST. ANNE
PAGE 5

The Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi has expressed

its gratitude to the Sisters of the Society of St. Anne’s for
their dedication and service at the St. Martin De Porres
Hospital at Eikwe for the past 12 years. In a homily deliv-
ered at the colorful liturgical celebration held on May 6th,
2018 at the St. Raphael Catholic Church, Eikwe , Msgr.
Francis Abuah -Quansah, the Vicar General on behalf of
the Bishop and the Diocese praised the Sisters and also
called on the faithful to imitate their virtues of obedience,
service and selflessness.

The Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Mark Anthony

Nrenzah( Parish Priest), Anthony Quarm (Hospital Chap-
lain), Eric Eliason (Diocesan Health Director). Also pre-
sent were members from the Hospital Board, Diocesan
Health Board, Hospital Management Team and the Hospi-
tal Staff. The Society of St. Anne’s was founded by Thati-
pathri Gnanamma in 1874 in Kilacheri, Chennai (India).
And they arrived in the Diocese on July 20th, 2006.

BISHOP KWOFIE ERECTS NEW PARISH

Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi Takoradi on May 13th , 2018
erected the Divine Redeemer Parish and also installed Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Andoh, SMA, as the first Parish Priest.

The decree for the erection of the parish which was read by the Chancellor, stated that "the Catholic Church of New
Amanful - Funkoe, a satellite station hitherto part of St.
John the Evangelist Parish, Apowa, known by the Pa-
tron, Divine Redeemer, has this day, the 13th of May,
2018 been duly erected parish with a pastor appointed
in the person of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Andoh, SMA, by
virtue of can. 519".

In a homily delivered by VRev. Fr. Anthony Eshun,

Dean of Apowa Deanery, he urged the parishioners to
do all in their power to promote peace and unity among
themselves. The vibrant and colourful liturgical cele-
bration also witnessed the installation of the first PPC
for the twin parish composed of Francis Eshun, Ed-
ward Annan, Mrs. Stella Cudjoe ( from New Amanful)
as well as Nicholas Nsobiabah, Stephen Mensah and
Madam Theresa Ibrahim( from Funkoe).

The Mass was concelebrated by VRev. Fr. James Owusu Yeboah, SMA Regional Superior, VRev. Fr. Charles Yeboah,
VRev. Fr. Raphael Mensah, VRev. James M. Mesu, VRev. Fr. Anthony Eshun, Rev. Frs . George Ansah, Michael Buah,
Marcel Sikayena, Emmanuel Dolphyne, Bernard Abekah as well as Rev . Fr. Hippolyte Buhika, SMA. Also present were
Rev. Srs. Monica Appiah, Juliet Kyaano( O.L.A sisters) and Nana Nkane IV (Funkoe) together with Nana Yalleh Kwao
Asamoah III , Nana Kobia Atinka

This brings to 64 the number of parishes and rectorate in the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi Takoradi.
 PAGE 6

AXIM AND KETAN UNITY GAMES

The youth of St. Anthony of Padua parish-Axim played host to the youth of St. Peters parish-Ketan on Satur-
day 28th April 2018 as they engage in a unity game fiesta at Axim.

The program started with an opening Mass. In the homily Rev. Fr. Gordon Owusu-Cobbinah, the Parochial
Vicar of the former parish exhorted the youth that they are proud witnesses to a seed of fraternal love gradually
maturing between the two parishes and that they have the singular responsibility of sustaining it. He also said
that the purpose of the Programme is not to showcase which parish is the best but to deepen the newly found
relationship since we already have been made champions in the resurrected Christ.

After the Mass, there was an excursion to the fort at Axim. This was followed by some sporting activities at
the Axim Victoria Park. The youth participated in games such as sack race, chair dancing, ludu, draft, cards,
oware, volley ball and football.

AXIM DEANERY HOLDS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

The Youth in the Axim Deanery from 21st to 23rd of April gathered at the Immaculate Conception Parish at
Abura for the Youth Empowerment programme organized by the Diocesan Youth Council on the theme: Keep an
eye on the root of the Catholic Church. The Parish Priest of Abura, Rev. Fr. Seth Nana Owusu in his welcome ad-
dress asked all to feel at home and charged the youth to embrace the vocation into priesthood and religious life.

The Diocesan Youth Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Francis Baffoe

Davis and Rev. Bro Michael Quayson talking on the
theme said the root of the Catholic Church can be
found in the sacraments, Holy Scriptures, traditions
and letters of the holy apostles. The Diocesan Chaplain
asked the youth to use the social media to learn about
the Catholic faith rather than using it to learn other
worldly things. He said the church must be dynamic to
be able to face the challenges of today’s world. He
also asked the youth to be bold in discussing issues
disturbing them such as sex, lesbianism, transgender,
gay etc

Rev. Fr. Gordon Owusu-Cobbinah, the Deanery Youth

Chaplain also challenged the youth to live an exem-
plary life for they are ambassadors of Christ. While
the Diocesan Youth President, Mr. Frederick Kwasi
also charged the youth to be proactive in church activities and also bury any differences amongst them. He ad-
vised those who would be selected by their parish to participate in the World Youth Day Ghana version at Accra
to be self discipline.

. A total of 306 youth from 5 parishes, namely, Abura, Axim, Nkroful, Esiama and Anyinase attended the pro-
gram.
PAGE 7

HON. AFEKU DONATES NEW

CHOIR ROBES
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts and Cul-
ture and Member of Parliament for the Evalue
Ajomoro Constituency, Hon. Catherine Ablema
Afeku recently presented new choir robes to the
Youth Choir of St. Anthony Catholic Church,
Axim.

The minister admonished the youth to be disci-

plined and also be serious with their education.
She further charged them to educate their peers
and members of the community to avoid open
defecation so as to attract tourists to the beautiful
beaches and tourist site. The colourful liturgical
celebration took place on 8th April, 2018 at Axim

TARKWA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MARKS PENTECOST
Twenty four students of St. Matthew
Catholic School in Tarkwa have received
first communion. The sacrament was ad-
ministered by the Parish Priest of St. Mat-
thew Cathoiic Church, Rev. Fr. Anthony
Nii Noi Dewona on Pentecost Sunday.

This is the first time a Public Catholic

School has prepared her students for the
reception of the Sacrament. Rev. Sr. Made-
lyn Quaicoe gave the catechism instruction
for 3 years.

The Parish Priest congratulated the stu-

dents and thanked the headmaster, Mr
Douglas Baste the staff and Rev. Sisters
for the noble initiative and prayed that
other public catholic basic schools would
strive to deepen the Catholic faith in our
schools. He asked the school to continue
with the catechism instructions.
 PAGE 8

REV. FR. DR. FRANCIS ATTA AIDOO RETURNS HOME

The Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi warmly welcomes REV. FR. DR. FRANCIS
ATTA AIDOO back to the diocese after eight years of mission in the Diocese
of Francistown in Botswana.

Fr. Atta Aidoo who was ordained in 2009, has been working in the Diocese
of Francistown from 10th September 2009 to 29th May, 2018.
While in Francistown, Fr. Francis Atta Aidoo worked at the following places:

1. Good Shepherd Parish, Donga-Parish Priest (2011 – 2012)

2. Member of the Catechetical team of Francistown from 2012 to 2o15.
3. Good Shepherd Pre-School, Donga-Local Manager (2011 – 2016)
4. Mater Spei College-Chaplain – Chaplain (2011 – 2016)
5. St Bridget Catholic Mission-Parish Priest (2016 – 2018)
6. Nyangabure Referral Hospital, Francistown-Counselor (2011 – 2018)
 TWO PRIESTS AWARDED DOCTORATE DEGREES
Rev. Frs. Eric Kwasi Elliason and Francis Atta Aidoo have been awarded doctorate degrees by
Atlantic International University, Hawaii and the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines respec-
tively.

Rev. Fr. Eric Kwasi Elliason, the Diocesan Health Director was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD) with major in Public Health. Whilst Rev. Fr. Francis Atta Aidoo has also been awarded a
Doctorate Degree in Holistic Medicines as well as Masters in Psychotherapy.

On behalf of the Diocese, the Bishop, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp extends to
them his congratulatory message and best wishes.

Rev Fr. Dr. Eric Elliason Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Atta Aidoo

CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF ST. ANSELM CATHOLIC CHURCH - SANZULE (WESTERN REGION)

St. Anselm Catholic Church in Sanzule has celebrated its centenary. The
celebration was climaxed with Mass celebrated by Most Rev. John
Bonaventure Kwofie CSSp, Bishop of the Sekondi Takoradi Diocese.

In his homily, the Bishop mentioned spoke about the need to renew their
hearts and minds to conform with the Goodnews. He said, “just as the
Church building was painted to look beautiful, so should your inner selves
be made beautiful too. He also advised parents to take the education of
their children more seriously.

Nana Asafo Boakye III who also addressed the gathering admonished
them to relate peacefully since peace is the bedrock of development in
every community.
 PAGE 10

VISITS AND DONATIONS TO

ST. MARY’S MINOR SEMINARY, APOWA

On Mothers’ Day; 13th May, 2018, the Women’s Ministry of Also on Saturday, 2nd June, 2018, the devotees of the Sacred
Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church – Beach Road, visited the Heart Confraternity from the Apowa and Takoradi deaneries
Minor Seminary and made a donation of assorted items and visited the seminary and made a donation of assorted items
also used the opportunity to interact with the seminarians. to them.

Members of the Catholic Women Association of
Apowa, Takoradi and Sekondi Deaneries paid a
visit to the seminary after their end of year retreat
held at the seminary. They also made a donation of
food item to the seminary.
Msgr. Bobby Benson of Koforidua Diocese, while
attending the National Diocesan Health Directors
and Hospital Chaplains’ meeting, used the occasion
to Celebrate Mass with the seminarians and also to
interact with them.

The Rector, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Conduah expressed gratitude to them for their visit which he described as
wonderful and encouraging to the seminary where young men are trained for the priesthood.
The School Prefect Master Joshua Ampaw, expressed appreciation on behalf of the seminarians.
 PAGE 11

STAR OF THE SEA CATHEDERAL CELEBRATES EASTER MONDAY WITH

Our Lady ‘ Star of the Sea’ Cathedral—Takoradi on 2nd April, 2018 Celebrated Mass for the sick and aged. The
colourful liturgical celebration saw a total of 240 sick and aged in attendance. In the homily, Most Rev. John
Bonaventure Kwofie CSSp who was the Presider reminded the sick and the aged that the Church has an obli-
gation to love and care for them as Jesus did. He further urged them to be of good cheer and accept their
condition in imitation of Jesus who also accepted pain and suffering in obedience to the Father. The Mass
was concelebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Peter Kaitoo (Cathedral Administrator), Fr. Paulus Afful, Fr. Paa Nii Brooke
as well as Fr. Sikayena.

The organization of the program was spearheaded by members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society at the Star
of the Sea Cathedral.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SEKONDI-

TAKORADI WILL BE 50 YEARS IN 2019.
HURRAY!!!

For all your sachet water needs, buy SAP

Sachet water produced by St. Anthony of

Padua Catholic Church, Kwesimintsim