The Most. Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, the Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom has called on the Priests and Religious of the Vicariate to entrust their lives into the hands of God, whom he refers to as the “Master Potter”.
He said this during the 2024 Co-workers Party at the Cathedral on December 30, 2024.
This is an annual program which brings together all priests and religious in the Vicariate to thank God for a successful year and ask for the grace and strength of God to begin another year.
It also gives opportunity to the bishop to express his appreciation to them as his immediate collaborators in the pastoral ministry.
The period also gives opportunity to welcome new priests and religious into the Vicariate and bid farewell to those leaving the Vicariate.
The celebration has two parts; the first being the Holy Mass which is offered to thank God for a successful year and the second part being the social gathering.
In his homily, the Prelate, entreated his immediate collaborators to submit their lives and will to that of God, so that he can fashion them and use them according to his own will.
He advised them not to love the world or things of the world but to detach themselves from material possessions and all bad conduct and behaviours which doesn’t promote the kingdom of God among his people.
The Priests and Religious, he noted, were to live in communion and in obedience to his word. It is doing so that they can court the blessings of God.
In following the prophetess Anna in the gospel of Luke during the Presentation of Jesus, the Bishop said both Priests and Religious are to be imbued with the virtues of humility and patience, which allowed her to wait all this while for the coming of the Messiah.
He indicated that the one who does the will of God lives forever, hence they are to follow the will of God in their lives to be prosperous in their ministry.
In his address after the Mass, Bishop Asiedu echoed the concern of the Bishop’s Conference which has to do with the increasing rate of deaths among priests, especially in the course of the year.
The major concern of the Conference is the circumstances leading to the deaths, which needs serious attention by all.
He echoed the position of the Conference which will serve as a remedy to this problem, as caring for one another in the presbyteries and the religious houses, and being one another’s keeper.
He also bemoaned the low turnout of the young people in the Vicariate for the reception of the Holy Eucharist.
He encouraged all pastoral agents especially the priests to help the young people to be more committed to the reception of the Holy Eucharist. They are to be catechized them in order to become communicants. There must also be a comprehensive education for the entire faithful on the reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Bishop also thanked Sr. Cecilia Clare Kudexa, SMMC, who was finally leaving the Vicariate after her service. He wished her joy and fulfilment in her future endeavours. New priests and religious were also welcomed in the Vicariate.
In concluding his address, the bishop thanked his immediate collaborators for their commitment and selfless dedication, which has brought growth in the Vicariate. He wished all of them a Merry Christmas, joyful and spirit-filled New Year.
The program was concluded with the socials which consisted of exchange of gifts, dinner and others.
By Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo (DEPSOCOM AVD-DONKORKROM)
