It was all joy when the Christians of Somsei, and the other Stations under St. Theresa Parish, Samanhyia, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, Afram Plains, in Ghana’s Eastern Region gathered for the blessing of their new Church at Somsei by the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu SVD, Catholic Bishop of Donkorkrom on the Third Sunday in Advent, also called Rejoice Sunday.
Activities featured during the December 15, 2024, Church dedication included the ceremony of the official opening of the Church door by the Bishop and the handing of the key to the Parish priest, and Holy Mass, during which the new Altar and the Church building, were blessed.
There was also local fundraising to purchase fans for the new Church, among others.
In a homily during the dedication Mass, his Lordship John Alphonse celebrated that “It is a joyful occasion for us gathered together, to join our brothers and sisters of Somsei Community to bless the Chapel that through the generosity of many others, we have been able to build for them to have a decent place for worship”.Rejoicing SUnday
The Bishop further disclosed that the new Church was being dedicated to St. Joseph, a great model of humility, faith and self-giving, and one who was willing and ready to abandon his personal desires and wishes, in favour of God’s Will, the result of which was the Saviour of mankind, whose birth commemoration is being anticipated.
He encouraged the faithful to emulate the example of St. Joseph and prayed that his “humility, faith and self-giving will also fill all of us who worship in this Chapel, that we may also give ourselves whole-heartedly to God’s will for each one of us, and also for building the Kingdom of God among our people here in Donkorkrom”.
Reflecting on the Readings for the day (Zep 3:14-18a, Phil 4:4-7), all centered on joy, his Lordship charged the faithful to be happy, in the Spirit of Third Sunday of Advent, for the coming of the Saviour is close and the Saviour is coming to take away all worries, troubles and difficulties. “The coming of the Lord is all joy,” he acclaimed.
Drawing further inspiration from the Gospel Reading (Lk 3:10-18), where John the Baptist prescribed the kind of life the faithful should lead, in preparation to welcome the coming Messiah, the prelate encouraged the Christians to be generous to one another and carry out their duties in all honesty and sincerity.
He further noted that just like the tax collectors were instructed not to collect more than was due and not to cheat anyone, the faithful were being invited in like manner to approach their various ministries from the heart, bearing in mind that their works are supposed to bring relief and a better life to the people, and not untold suffering, “because the presence of the Lord is a joyful presence and we should all be happy when he comes”.
Shading more light on the Gospel Reading, Bishop Asiedu put before the Christians the thought-provoking question, if they would want to be like the chaff mentioned in the passage that will be burnt in unquenchable fire or the wheat grain that would be useful to themselves, to others and to God.
“Our life today will determine whether we are the wheat grain or we are the chaff,” he underlined.
According to the Chief Shepherd, the funds for the construction of the Chapel had been provided by Rev. Fr. Mathias Helms, SVD, in charge of the Mission Office in Switzerland, and it has been a three-year long project finally realized.
“We thank God that the journey is finally over. It is a joy for me that the community in Somsei can also have a decent place to worship,” he rejoiced.
He was particularly grateful to the donor, Fr. Helms, and all who have contributed in diverse ways in the realization of the project, and prayed that they may continue “to assist us in the growing of our people here in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom”.
The Bishop also extended gratitude to the Parish Priest of St. Theresa Parish Samanhyia for supervising the project, and Fr. Vincent Amuzu Asafo, SVD, in charge of the Vicariate Development Office.
“God bless all of us and help our people also to grow in their faith as they worship in this decent Chapel,” he prayed.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Akrereke Coleman, CSSp, Parish Priest of St. Theresa Parish Samanhyia was grateful to the donor and the Bishop for choosing to offer the project to his Parish and for coming to bless it.
“I thank God that today has come true. I am very very happy and grateful” he jubilated.
One of the elites of Somsei, Mr. Benedict Adzorbe, expressed deep joy for the edifice gifted them as a worshipping community. “I am very glad today that a donor from Switzerland helped us to build our Chapel,” he celebrated.
Dignitaries present for the Church blessing were Nana Samuel Anoh, Kontehene (Chief) of Somsei, together with the Queen Mother, Oheema Paribea Salome, among others.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
