Priests and Religious of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast gathered at the Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for a day of spiritual introspection and renewal during the Archdiocesan Lenten Recollection.
The gathering, centred on the theme “As His fellow workers, we beg you… not to neglect the Grace of God that you have received” (2 Corinthians 6:1), served as a pivotal moment for the clergy to pause and realign their ministries with the spirit of the Lenten season.
The day’s reflections were led by Fr. Emmanuel Mintah, a priest of the Archdiocese and a formator at St. Paul Regional Seminary.
In a thought-provoking session, Fr. Mintah challenged the participants to redefine their understanding of “Grace,” describing it as an unmerited and undeserved gift from God.
He reminded the clergy that they are merely stewards of this abundance and that, since God has generously given His grace to them, they are equally called to extend that same grace to those entrusted to their pastoral care.
A key takeaway from the presentation was the warning that grace can become “fruitless” if it is not actively engaged. Fr. Mintah emphasised that ministry without Christ is a hollow pursuit, noting that work is only effective when done in partnership with the Divine.
Drawing on the concerns of St. Paul, the facilitator reminded the audience that grace is not a passive possession; it must be used to avoid becoming “empty” in their lives and ministries, as no lasting achievement is possible without relying on God’s favour.
In a candid assessment of contemporary challenges, Fr. Mintah also pointed out that grace must bear fruit within the community.
He raised concerns over how modern distractions—specifically mobile phones and social media—are eroding the quality of fraternity among the clergy. He observed that when personal interests or digital distractions prevent priests and Religious from sharing common meals and meaningful conversation, the effectiveness of their communal grace is weakened. “If that grace is not beneficial to anyone,” he emphasised, “then it is in vain.”
The recollection concluded with a call to action, encouraging participants to view their talents not as personal achievements, but as tools for service to be used for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
By: Sr. Francisca Yaa Konadu, SIJ
