A Past President of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Opanin Mary Ekyirefi, says the journey of the formation of the Society had not been rosy but with dedication and commitment it had grown by leaps and bounds to clock 25 years.
“The journey had not been rosy and smooth-sailing. We had our ups and downs. However, with hard work, dedication, tenacity of purpose, and prayers, the Society has continued to grow from strength to strength, against all odds,” she said at the launch of the Silver Jubilee of the Society at the St. Martin De Tours Catholic Church, Teshie Camp.
The launching which took place on the Society’s Founders’ Day and attended by a large number of the Society members from all branches in the Accra Archdiocese, was performed at a Mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu, the Spiritual Director of the Society in the Accra Archdiocese.
The anniversary which is being characterised with a series of activities is on the theme: “Celebrating 25 Years of the Goodness of God; Our Hope for the Future.”
According to Opanin Ekyirefi, the Society had grown in leaps and bounds, saying, “When the Society celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2018, the Accra Archdiocesan Branches numbered seventy-one. Today, five years on, we can boast of eighty-nine Branches, in almost all the Parishes in the Archdiocese – we are still counting.”
She stated, “As a Society, we have the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Gbetsile, as proof of God’s goodness and mercy towards us,” adding, “We can boldly say that our God has been faithful and gracious to us. To Him be the glory because He has done great things for us, individually and collectively.”
Opanin Ekyirefi, who is also a past National Secretary of the Society, appreciated the efforts of all who played various roles in the formation of the Society in Accra Archdiocese, paying glowing tributes to the “Mmaa Mpayinfo, Mpayninfo, and all Anuanom from all the Branches, all the Organisers, Priests and Spiritual Directors, departed Patrons and Patronesses.”
“Our success story will not be complete without mentioning all the good people who helped us in the formation and growth of our Noble Society,” she intimated.
On his part, Fr. Gosu urged the leadership and members of the Society to continue to walk with God and follow the footsteps of their Patron, St. Theresa.
The formation of the Society started on March 23, 1998 by Dame Obaapanin Gloria Kwasie with a launch at the St. Martin De Tours, Teshie Camp.
Like the proverbial mustard seed which became a great tree, the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society started with only fifteen young and dedicated ladies. By the time the members were initiated on September 30, 1998, membership had increased to about ninety.
On August 19, 2000, barely two years on, St. Theresa’s Society, Accra Archdiocesan Charter, was inaugurated, amidst great pomp and pageantry with twelve Branches. As a Charter, the Accra Archdiocesan Society became autonomous with its own Constitution.
Slowly, but surely, the Society in Accra has managed to achieve, to some extent, its core mandate including to bring together Catholic women, both communicants and non-communicants, to work in the vineyard of the Lord and to support Seminarians and Priests.
The rest are to support Church projects and activities in the Archdiocese and in various Parishes; to achieve personal sanctification through the imitation of the life-style of St. Theresa, Patton Saint and to inculcate in members the Spirit of Prayer and Intercession for one another, and the giving of financial support to those in need, when necessary.
