Three Religious Sisters of the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer ( HDR) and a Divine Word Missionary ( SVD) Priest on Sunday, April 26, 2026, marked 25 years of faithful service to God as they celebrated their Silver Jubilee Anniversary of Vows at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ashaiman.
The day of the celebration also marked Vocations Sunday, where the Catholic Church across the world prays for more vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and honours those who have faithfully responded to God’s call.
The jubilarians were Rev. Fr. Nicholas Nibetol Aazine, SVD, Sr. Mary Florence Adzo Adzakpah, HDR, Sr. Mary Francisca Grace Asiedua Appiah, HDR, and Sr. Mary Victoria Depla, HDR, each marking 25 years of dedicated service to God and the Church.
The thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Most Rev. John Kobina Louis, Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, and attended by Priests, Religious Men and Women, families of the jubilarians, parishioners, and invited guests.
Delivering the homily on the theme, “The Call of the Lord,” Rev. Fr. Andrews Obeng Aboagye, SVD, Ghana Provincial Superior, said vocation is a fruit of an interior life and a deep relationship with God.
He explained that God continually communicates with His people and calls each person by name, just as the Good Shepherd knows His sheep, leads them, and they follow Him.
He stressed that responding to God’s call required perseverance, faithfulness, and a continuous “yes” to the Lord.
Fr. Obeng encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast, support one another, and trust in God’s grace, especially in moments of weakness.
He also urged the youth to embrace the call to priesthood and Consecrated Life, while appealing to parents to pray for and support their children who may feel called to serve God.
He further reminded the congregation that “whatever you offer to God does not go to waste,” encouraging generosity in responding to God’s call.
In an interview with Newswatchgh.com, Fr. Aazine, SVD, encouraged young people to seek God sincerely, noting that God’s call is often experienced through daily life, the environment, and the people we encounter.
The celebration formed part of the Church’s annual Vocations Sunday observance, dedicated to praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
By Celestine Edem Gbologah//newswatchgh.com
