As the Our Lady of Assumption (OLA) Catholic Church at New Achimota, manned by the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus climaxed its 40th Anniversary on Sunday, August 20, 2023, goodwill messages having been pouring in from the Clergy for the milestone chalked.
Among the wishers is the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, who extoled the dedication, love and commitment of parishioners in building a strong and vibrant spiritual family.
“This special anniversary is a time for reflection and gratitude, as you celebrate the countless lives touched and the enduring impact you have made as a community,” the Archbishop said in his message, adding “Through your shared faith, you have created a warm and welcoming environment where all feel embraced and supported.”
He challenged the parishioners to let the theme of the anniversary “Behold, How Good and Pleasant to See the Family Dwell Together in Unity” (Psalm 133:1) “resonate deeply within each heart.”
“Let it serve as a reminder of the strength that lies in togetherness and the power of collaboration in spreading the message of God’s love,” he stated, adding, “Today, we celebrate the past, the present and the promising future that awaits Our Lady of Assumption Parish.”
According to Archbishop Kwofie, the unwavering commitment to the faith and to one another by the parishioners had been an inspiration, praying that the milestone would be a catalyst for continued growth, deepening spirituality and am even stronger sense of community.
In his Goodwill message, the Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries, Very Rev. Fr. Timothee Kouassi Hounake, MCCJ, said generally, celebrating an anniversary calls for three main things: recalling and celebrating the past, identifying the present challenges and thanking God for them, and projecting oneself into the future with hope.
“We celebrate with you the highs and lows of the past, the toils that have kept the Church steady throughout all the tides of life; the founding members, the various successive Pastoral Councils, the many people who have given their all for the growth of the church. We live in the present, identifying the different facets of our changing world that call for appropriate faith-motivated actions and we project ourselves as a Church open to the world, a Church able to go outside its boundaries, to the peripheries of our urban life, in line with Pope Francis’ call,” he stated.
According to the Comboni Provincial Superior Catholics are urged “to discern the path that the Lord points out and to obey his call to go forth from our comfort zones in order to reach all the peripheries in need of the light of the Gospel.”
On his part, Very Rev. Fr. Eugenio Petrogalli, MCCJ, the first canonically installed Parish Priest of OLA, who is currently on retirement at Mafi Kumasi in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese called on the parishioners to deepen their devotion to Mother Mary.
“For this is needed to encounter Jesus as the personal Saviour and intimate friend, the centre of our life. A deep devotion to Mary will lead us to Jesus. This is her mission: We go to Jesus through Mary. We need to follow the example of humble service and sacrifice of Jesus, who said: “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and give my life…,” he intimated.
He told the parishioners that “We need to take up our cross and follow Him. No cross no crown! Be always in the grace of God and communicant. This is the source of true love, unity, peace and Joy.”
Very Rev. Fr. Francisco Machado, MCCJ, the Parish Priest in his message expressed joy that in the past 40 years, God had brought parishioners together to form His people as part of the pilgrim people in Accra.
“We are the people who journey with Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit, tasting how God is loving: the true Source of life and meaning. Yes, for 40 years God has been leading us with patience, kindness and love,” he noted.
He pointed out that through many struggles and tribulations, the Spirit of God is helping the parishioners to grow before God while they also grow in the maturity which leads them to the mission.
There were goodwill messages also from some Priests who have worked in OLA before including Rev. Fr. Raphael Azarias Benuyenah-Schueller, who was Priest-in-charge from 2000 to 2001; Rev. Fr. Reuben Awuye, one time an Assistant Priest; Rev. Fr. Benjamin Effah, a seminarian on pastoral and currently the Parish Priest of St. Michael, 37; Rev. Frs. John Hammond and Johnny Hanson Agboli, both Comboni Missionaries and Rev. Fr. Charles Macharia, MCCJ, an Assistant Priest who had served in OLA for nine years.
In a message, Mr. Tobechukwu Odezue, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council said “As a Parish, we have come a long way, following Jesus and his teaching for the past 40 years. Believing in what he has been telling us for the past 40 years, and eating from his table for 40 years.”
According to him the 40th Anniversary celebration would not have been possible if the Church did not have such men and women who also chose just like Jesus, to die like a seed, in order for the OLA Church to rise like a plant, grow like the parable mustard tree and bear multiple fruits like the vine branches.
“We salute their courage and appreciate their sacrifices, both those who have gone and those still among us,” he added.
He prayed God to sustain the zeal of love in the hearts of parishioners, which is characterized by their readiness to ‘die’ for Christ and for fellow men, saying, “That by loving each other, everyone will know that we are God’s family.”
The anniversary was climaxed with a Mass presided over by the Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, Auxiliary Bishop of Accra and concelebrated by seven Priests including Frs. Machado and Petrogalli, Frs. Bonaventure Gnaha, Job Plinga and Evans Kotoku, all Comboni Missionaries.
Bishop Asare also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 12 Catholics and also witnessed the handing over of a newly mounted signpost of the Parish donated by the Anchor of Hope Society.
The Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church was established on August 15, 1983, at a Maternity Home called Asabea, in New Achimota, where the first Holy Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Tetteh Addy (who is now late) who also served as the first Priest-in-charge and Mr. George Apoh as the first Church Council chairperson.
The Church later transitioned to the Home Science Block of the St. John’s Grammar School, New Achimota in 1987, during which time Rev. Fr. (now Monsignor) Peter Agbenu, was the Priest-in- charge. The Church then moved to the 8.3 acres of land generously offered by the Diocese.
The parishioners started worshipping under a simple shed, then moved to one of the classrooms, then to the expanded shed, then to the basement of this structure before finally moving into this church building. All thanks to God who gave His gifts to generous, hardworking, and self-giving women and men in this Church community.
During that period, OLA was touched by the Pastoral solicitude of the several Priests from the Holy Spirit Cathedral including Bishop Asare and other Diocesan and Religious Priests.
The Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus took over the pastoral care of this community in 2001, during which time OLA was elevated to a full Parish status on August 15, 2008. Currently, OLA Parish has three Outstations – St. Daniel Comboni Church at Tantra Hills, established in February 2003; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at Chantan, established in June 2003 and St. Cecilia Church, Ofankor North, established in September 2010.
From a foundation membership of about two hundred (200) Catholics, the Church has come a long way as a community, following Jesus and his teaching for the past 40 years. It has grown not only in infrastructure, but more importantly grown in spirituality, quality of our worship and community life. Currently, the Parish has about 34 Societies, which include ministries, prayer groups, devotion groups, and day-born groups.
