A priest working in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has asked members of the Christian Mother’s Association (CMA) to emulate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Virtues of humility, piety and purity and let the their uniform of blue and white be a reflection of Mary’s colour of appearance.
He advised the Mothers to eschew competition and let go their ego in other to see each other as equals in their strife towards Harmony, perfection and togetherness.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Mensah, Parish Priest of St. Maurice Catholic Church, La, Accra, was preaching a homily at a Mass at the St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, Baatsona-Spintex to mark the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated annually on 8th December, to remind the Church of the mystery of the pure nature of Mary even before her birth.
The Day was organised by the Mothers in collaboration with the Sons, Daughters and Fathers Associations, preceded by a Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary and climaxed with a number of activities such as Retreat, Mass, Initiation and few social events.
Fr. Mensah entreated members the over 2,000 Mothers, Fathers, daughters and Sons from eight Deaneries to pray and visit each other, asking them to pray for the blessing of God for each other as they build the Society to the Glory of God.
The day’s activity started with Rosary Prayers, praises and worship and the exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which ushered the Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters spiritually into their celebration.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kwoffie, the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Afuaman, who was the Retreat Master delved into the Holy nature of Mary before Her Birth because she was to bear the God and maker of the Universe.
Centering his message on the topic dubbed “Original Sin and living in Harmony with one another”, he said before, during and after the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was without sin by a singular grace and privilege of the Almighty God and by the virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ Saviour of the human race.
He explained that, because Mary was to bear the God and Maker of the universe, she couldn’t be full of sin, though human and encouraged members to eschew behaviours that do not make us Holy in the sight of God, listing them as gossiping, envy, hatred and unforgiving spirit.
These, he emphasised, would “make us sad of what the other person has and cause us to want to deprive them of what they have that we do not.” He urged members to love one another as Christ loved the Church, because “He who doesn’t love dwells in Darkness.”
Fr. Kwoffie admonished the Mothers to be prayerful and attend to the members’ and not be jealous of each other.
Mother Eunice Dumashie, Accra Archdiocesan President of the CMA supported by the executives initiated 229 new Mothers, Daughters, Sons and Fathers after going through the necessary rituals.
Members embarked on a float through the streets accompanied with the Brass Band Music amidst dancing and cheers, socialized with live band Music games and quiz competition among the Deaneries.
The Tema Deanery emerged as winners of the games, followed by Osu, Ashaiman and Madina Deaneries. Each Deanery was presented with a certificate of participation and the winning Deaneries were given plagues.
By Mother Matilda Deku
