Sr. Dr. Lucy Hometowu, SMMC was elected for a second term as the Superior General of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Just after the election of the Superior General, the Capitulars, amid singing, drumming and dancing, processed from the Chapter hall to the Chapel, together with the Chapter Moderator, Sr. Felicia Harry, OLA and the President for the election of the Superior General, Very Rev. Fr. Walter Mawusi Agbeto who stood in for Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ho.
A candle was present to the Superior-elect and the capitulars took turns to congratulate her.
The capitulars processed back to the Chapter hall and Sr. Hometorwu, presided over the election of the Councilors. Four Councilors were elected ; namely, Sr. Janet Emmanuella Ofosu, SMMC, Sr. Evelyn Claudia Afriyie, SMMC, Sr. Cecilia Afari, SMMC and Sr. Juliana Ofori, SMMC.
The election took place during SMMC’S 7th General Chapter held from October 25 to 3rd November 3, 2024 at Sokode-Gbogame in the Catholic Diocese of Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana.
The 10-day General Chapter was characterized by constant prayers, reflections, discussions, deliberations and a recollection by the Capitulars who gathered at Sokode-Gbogame to take decisions on behalf of the Institute.
In a Welcome Address, Sr. Mary Prisca Agbevor, SMMC, the local Superior of Madonna House, Sokode described the 7th General Chapter as a platform for learning, exchanging ideas, fostering understanding that drive the progress of the Institute in respective fields as Religious. She wished all capitulars well in their deliberations.
In a speech during the Opening Ceremony of the Chapter, Sr. Hometorwu, SMMC, was grateful to God for being with the Institute for the past five years and welcomed the Capitulars to the Chapter. She was grateful to the Chapter Moderator, Sr. Felicia Harry, OLA for accepting to accompany the Capitulars in the Spiritual journey and exercise.
She acknowledged the role OLA Sisters played in the life of SMMC as she said, “Your Congregation, OLA saw the birth of our Institute which was nurtured into maturity. We cannot write our history without you.”
Goodwill messages from the Bishops, Religious Institutes and Priests’ Associations were read by the Chapter Secretary General, Sr. Agnes Dzifa Agbeli, SMMC during the Opening Ceremony.
In a Mass preceding the opening ceremony, Very Rev. Fr. Walter Mawusi Agbeto, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese who represented Bishop Fianu, SVD, prayed for the Spirit’s direction for the capitulars and wish them well in their deliberations.
Reading the Goodwill Message from Bishop Fianu, he pointed out to the Capitulars that a General Chapter would be successful in the measure in which the members prepared for it.
“I urge you to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in your discernment so that the fruit of the Chapter may be according to the will of God for your Institute and the Local Churches you collaborate with in ministry,’ Fr. Agbeto read.
During thanksgiving Mass for the Chapter on Sunday November 3, 2024, Bishop Fianu who presided briefed the capitulars on the just ended Synod on Synodality in Rome, which took him away from the Chapter. He congratulated the new leadership and pledged his Ecclesial support for them.
In the closing ceremony following the Mass, the Chapter Moderator, Sr. Felicia Harry, OLA, thanked the capitulars for their cooperation and contributions to the success of the Chapter. She also thanked the leadership of SMMC for giving her the opportunity to moderate the 7th General Chapter of the Institute.
Sr. Hometorwu, SMMC, the Superior-elect thanked the capitulars for the confidence placed in her to be re-elected. She described Sr. Felicia as being sent by God and was grateful to her for the great role she played during the chapter.
She also thanked the entire Institute and encouraged them to continue their collaborative and prayerful spirit to help the leadership team for the growth of the Institute.
Sr. Lucy expressed a heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Samuel Kornu, the Chaplain of Mater Ecclesiae School Sokode -Gbogame, who constantly nourished the souls of the capitulars with the Eucharist and the Word of God during the chapter.
She highlighted some key points deliberated on during the chapter. She stressed on Servant Leadership talked about by Very Rev Fr. George Agmor, SVD, during the Chapter recollection and highlighted some of its principles quoted by him-service, self-sacrifice, humility , fostering a collaborative community spirit and focus on the growth of one another.
The capitulars sang the SMMC anthem at the end of the closing Ceremony
By Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC (Sister Communicator)
