The Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, has presided over the 25th Anniversary climax Mass of the Accra branch of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society with a commendation to them for keeping the faith ablaze through their numerous spiritual and charitable activities.
Addressing over 4,000 members from 91 branches in the Archdiocese on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church at Gbetsile, he called on members to go out to evangelise and to see to the needs of the poor.
The Mass was concelebrated by about 15 Priests including Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu, the Spiritual Director of the Society and Rev. Fr. Isaac Donkor, CSSp, Priest-in-charge of the Gbetsile Church.
The climax was also used to dedicate the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church at Gbetsile, built by the Society over a nine-year period.
He urged them to follow the footsteps of their Patron, St. Theresa by doing little things with love, faith and conviction.
He expressed gratitude to God for His graces and blessings, asking the members to see the anniversary as an act of renewal of their commitment to the values of the society.
The Archbishop lauded the founders and the leadership of the Society especially Dame Obaapanyin Gloria Peggy Kwasie, founder of the Society in Accra and her late husband Brig, Gen. John Kwasie (Rtd.) for their roles in ensuring the growth of the Society.
On the dedication of the building, he reminded the people of God that the dedicated Church is set apart for the things of God, saying, “It is a house of God where our pilgrimage starts and ends.”
He advised the parishioners to the keep the Church clean and holy as well as making it a home of peace for all generations.
Archbishop Kwofie commended the Society led by its founder Dame Obaapanin Kwasie for putting up the magnificent Church building and applauded those who had played various roles in making the project a reality.
The Archbishop also paid tribute to the Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Archbishop of Cape Coast for acquiring the land when he was the Chief Shepherd of Accra.
Dame Obaapanin Kwasie appreciated the efforts of the leadership and members of the Society in Accra, Patrons and Spiritual Directors, saying, the journey to put up the Gbetsile Church started nine years ago but the Society used seven years to build the edifice to the glory of God.
“It has not been easy but with zeal, together we have come this far,” she stated, adding, “At one point, it looked like an impossible mission but the God who started with us has brought it to a possible and successful end.”
She said the Society had come a long way to celebrate its Silver Jubilee, hence it deserves the needed support and participation by all members.
She reiterated that the Society had chalked many successes despite ups and downs, saying that “As a Society, we have the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Gbetsile, as proof of God’s goodness and mercy towards us.”
“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,” she added.
Dame Obaapanyin Kwasie called on members and Catholics in general to continue to offer their little contributions to better society, saying that St. Theresa lived a very quiet and simple life of prayer, yet her impact has lived through out generations.
The Silver Jubilee celebration was on the theme: Celebrating 25 years of God’s Goodness and Favour for the Future.
It was graced by some National Executives led by the President, Obaapanin Felicia Brago; Council of Patrons of the Society in Accra and Archdiocesan Executives led by Opanin Alice Yane, who in a message appreciated the meritorious works of all preceding Executives which paved the way to the celebration of the climax and prayed that the celebration would rekindle “in us the joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we may lead a life of dedication and devotion in our faith.”
Dame Obaapanin Kwasie on behalf of the Society donated GHc25,000.00 to the Legacy of Hope Project as seed money to support the building of a Catholic pediatrics hospital in Accra.
The Society was founded since 1964 to honour St. Theresa of Lisieux, a French girl who entered the Carmelite convent at age 15 and dedicated her life to God until she died at 24.
In Accra, it was introduced and launched in March 1998 at the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church at Teshie Camp by Dame Obaapanin Kwasie. In a small Church, the Society started with only 15 young and dedicated ladies and by the time they were fully initiated into the Society on September 30, 1998, membership had increased to ninety.
As part of its 25 years journey, the Society had embarked on pilgrimages to Holy sites in Italy, Portugal, France, Israel and Yamoussoukro during which the members gained valuable spiritual strength.
The Society kick-started its 25th anniversary on March 25, 2023 with an Archdiocesan launching at the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, Teshie Camp and launching in various Churches the next day.
On June 18, the society donated a refurbished dining hall to the St. Paul’s Major Seminary Sowutuom, Accra; embarked on an excursion to the Shai Hills on Saturday, August 5, 2023 and organisation of a Food Bazaar on September 2, 2023 at the Nicolsons Park, Burma Camp.
The rest of the activities were Awards and dinner night on September 8, 2023 at the Christ the King Parish, Cantonments; a Revival on September 23, 2023 at the St. Martin de Tours Church, Teshie Camp and the climax with a thanksgiving Mass on October 7, 2023 at the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, Gbetsile.
