Three Pioneers of Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC) have celebrated 50 years of consecration as Religious and two of Temporary Professed Sisters of also made Perpetual Profession of Vows in the Catholic Diocese of Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa.
The two-fold celebration took place at Sokode-Gbogame on Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. The feast is one of the Marian Feasts on which SMMC mostly celebrates the major events of the Institute.
In a testament to their enduring vocation, three of the seven Pioneers of the Institute of Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, Sr. Arcade Eleeza, SMMC, Sr. Philothea Osibe, SMMC, and Sr. Georgina Fuglo, SMMC, marked 50 years of Religious Life with a solemn re-consecration ceremony. Through the intercession of Mary, their Patron Saint, they reaffirmed their dedication to serving God and humanity.
Sr. Pauline Afi Nunyanuke Tengue, SMMC and Sr. Patience Akpalu, SMMC Professed their Religious Vows Perpetually, telling God that they are His forever, working in His vineyard.
In a homily, the Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, the Bishop of Ho Diocese and also the principal celebrant, congratulated the pioneers of SMMC for 50 years of self-dedication to God in Consecrated Life.
He urged SMMC Sisters to emulate the example of the three pioneers who rendered selfless and dedicated services to God in the Institute and the Church all these years.
He prayed that the loving and caring God might continue to protect and guide them on their journey with Him.
Bishop Fianu commended the two Sisters who made the Perpetual Profession of Vows for taking bold steps to continue to say “Yes” to God.
“The decision to make perpetual commitment to Consecrated life is an important one and it is the moment of grace in the lives of all who journey with Christ professing the Evangelical Counsels of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience”; he affirmed.
He invited the faithful to join in prayerful support of Srs. Pauline and Patience and advised the two Perpetual Professed Sisters to find time and reflect on the words of their Profession Formula and urged them to lead a life of holiness modeled on the life of Mary.
On the Solemnity of Assumption, Bishop Fianu informed the faithful and all the people gathered that, the Feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul into heaven, which is celebrated on 15th August was a special moment for everyone to celebrate the singularity of Mary as a human creature through whom the redemption promised by God was made a reality.
He continued to affirm that two Feasts celebrate the holiness of Mary – the Feast of Immaculate Conception which is celebrated on 8th December, marks her pre-natal holiness and the Feast of Assumption which marks her holiness in death. “God in His goodness, could not allow such a holy dwelling place of His to see corruption”; he ascertained.
In a Congratulatory message delivered on behalf of all the bishops present, the Most Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, urged the two Perpetual Professed Sisters to continue to say ‘Yes’ to God. He assured them of their prayers and support.
He congratulated the Golden Jubilarians and commended them for going through ‘thick and thin’ of the struggles of the religious life, yet remained faithful to Him. He prayed for God’s providential guidance for them.
Other congratulatory messages were also given beginning with the Ho Diocesan Catholic Women Council who traditional adorned the celebrants with beads culturally termed ‘Abortsriborbor’; to congratulate them for their achievements.
Others who gave congratulatory messages included Sr. Mary Consolata Ntenye, SMMC on behalf of the Institute; Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Mawusi, the President of the Ho Catholic Diocesan Priests Association; Rev Fr. John Helu, CSSp on behalf of Consecrated Men and women working in Ho Diocese and Mr. Anthony Nyalemegbe, on behalf of the Ho Diocesan Laity Council.
Present at the occasion also were Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi; Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi; Priests and Religious across Ghana and beyond.
In attendance were some Members of Parliament (MPs), Chief and Elders from Sokode, Ho, Kpando and other Traditional areas. Heads of the Institutions in which SMMC Sisters work, families friends and well-wishers from all walks of life were also present.
By SMMC Sister Communicators. (Srs. Gifty Anastasia Blewu, SMMC, Bridget Kator, SMMC and Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC)
