The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) has marked its Silver Jubilee of establishment at the St. Mary’s Vocational School, Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana on August 24, 2024.
ASEC was founded by four Sisters from different Congregations in America. They are Sr. Marcia Sihol, SHCJ, PhD; Sr. Carol Jean Vales SSJ, PhD; Sr. Anita Cattafesta, PhD; and Sr. Anne Munley, IHM, PhD in collaboration with Conrad Hilton Foundation to support African Sisters in higher education and other sectors.
This anniversary on the theme: Igniting Hope, Building Bridges, Creating Impacts, was marked together with the graduation of some Sisters who had completed their certificate courses in Management and Financial Accounting at Sisters in Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI), a project of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana.
Present at the celebration were the Bishop of Donkokrom, the Most Rev John Asiedu, Episcopal Chairman for Religious Men and Women, Laity, Youth and Women; the Most Rev. Matthias Nketsiah, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Coast; Sr. Barbara Spears, SNJM, PhD, Chairperson of the board of Directors for ASEC from US and Very Rev. Fr. Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, President of Major Superiors Conference, Ghana.
In his welcome, Bro. Emmanuel Affum SVD, the Director for Institute for Continuing Formation (ICF), congratulated the graduate Sisters, commending them for their perseverance, hard work and determination.
“You have not only gained knowledge, but have formed long term friendships, critical thinking abilities,” Bro. Affum said, reminding them to seek and embrace new knowledge since the world was full of opportunities waiting for you to explore and conquer.
He told the Sisters that whether you are pursuing further education or other adventure, they had to know that they had all the tools and skills to succeed.
“Be bold, be brave and never stop believing in yourself he admonished.
Let us celebrate the future of the graduates today, ´ the Divine Word Missionary Brother stated, adding, “Let’s make this a memorable and celebration.”
Also present at the celebration also were sister alumni of AESC and Sisters in Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI), the Vice Chancellor of Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre, the Principal of Berekum Nursing and midwifery college and Many other people of goodwill.
ASEC is an organization with a proven capacity to strengthen through education and empowerment, the unique potential of Catholic Women Religious in Africa to fulfil Christ’s Mission, effectively promoting human development., spiritual growth and transformation of the lives of the people they joyfully serve in accordance with the charisms of their Institutes and needs of their Ministries.
ASEC has a mission of educating Catholic Women Religious in Africa to strengthen their leadership capacity to provide services that address local and global challenges.
Transformation, collaboration, leadership, service, capacity building and reverence are the core values of ASEC.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Sister Communicator)//Newswatchgh.com
