The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Ghana Province, had a simple yet significant clothing ceremony for eight pre-Novices made up of four Ghanaians and four Kenyans, ushering them into the Novitiate.
This ceremony held at the Novitiate of the HHCJs at Nsoatre in the Sunyani Diocese on August 21, 2024, was done in union with a Eucharistic celebration.
During the Mass, which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Paul Yaw Oppong, an Assistant Priest of St. Paul Catholic Church, Nsoatre, he stated that “This clothing day of pre-novices into the Novitiate made me recall the day I received my cassock in the seminary.”
He thanked God for journeying with the young newly clothed Novices, admonishing the Novices not to disgrace the congregation but to bring good news to the name of the congregation.
According to Fr. Oppong, if not for anything, the Novices should be very proud to be part of this congregation because of the selfless contributions the congregation is making towards the Church and humanity.
Relating to the readings of the day, Fr. Oppong explained: “If you hear about shepherds, it talks about leadership and when you hear about sheep, it talks about followers. So for God to have asked Ezekiel to prophesy against the people, it’s to prophecy to you the newly clothed novices and all.”
“As you have come into the congregation, you have to be chaste, obedient and surrender your entire will to God through the superiors,” he told the Novices, lamenting that “These days, many leaders of the Church are leading many astray by their scandalous ways of life.”
According to him, things which are uncalled for are what some Priests and Religious do and therefore urged the Sisters to work with their might and strength to the glory of God.
“Do not hoard your gifts and talents but avail yourselves for formation,” Fr. Oppong advised the Sisters.
He concluded by praying that the good Lord guide and strength these Sisters to stand firm and have God as their shepherd on their way to their true vocation.
Present at the ceremony were the Provincial Superior and Council and many others.
Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah HHCJ/ Sr. Sheila Adombire HHCJ (Sister Communicators)
