By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, Feb. 12, GNA – The Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, has commended the St. Bakhita Parish in Accra for the progress made in the past 20 years.
He expressed satisfaction with the infrastructural development and the contribution of parishioners to the physical and spiritual growth of the church.
The Archbishop made the remarks at a Thanksgiving Mass to mark the 20th anniversary of the Parish at Lashibi in Accra.
The St. Bakhita Parish began as a small gathering of Catholic faithful in 2005, and had since recorded significant growth throughout the years.
“You have done well…you have a church, you have a grotto, you have a rectorate that is housing one of the auxiliary Bishops, you have a school, you have an outstation…What more should I ask of you,” he stated.
The service brought together celebrants, priests, representatives from Corpus Christi Catholic Church, friends and families of the Parish. Twenty parishioners also received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Mrs Joycelyn Esiape, the Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council, recounted the journey of the church and its social impact since inception.
“Twenty years ago, our church embarked on a mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of community 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20…What we initially thought was going to be very small community has grown to become a mighty community,” she said.
Thanking the Archbishop and other leaders for their support, Mrs Esiape urged parishioners to be “beckons of hope” to the people in the community they served.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of our mission of service…Let us, therefore, renew our commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and to one another,” she noted.
The Parish unveiled its 20th Anniversary logo and made some presentations to Archbishop Kwofie, who urged worshippers to remain committed to the Catholic faith.
In a related development, the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra announced two special pilgrimages to Rome as part of the Church’s “Jubilee Year” celebration.
The trip is scheduled for May 12 to May 20, 2025, and September 20 to September 27, 2025.
Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, in a letter copied to priests and church members, emphasised the importance of the spiritual journey and encouraged various associations within the Archdiocese to nominate representatives.
The selection process would be conducted on “first-come, first-served” basis, the letter said, and that the invitation was “a privilege and not a right.”
“No group may present a candidate for both pilgrimage trips. In cases where associations do not submit candidates by the deadlines, the Archdiocese reserves the right to select individuals from among the faithful,” it said.
Pilgrims are expected to cover a travel cost of US$ 1,870, with specific terms and conditions applicable. Registration deadline for the May pilgrimage is February 24, 2025, while that of September is May 1, 2025.
GNA