The St. John the Baptist Parish, Odorkor-Tipper in Accra, as part of her 55th anniversary, organised the Rev. Fr. Hans Van Kempen, SVD, Week Celebration, which was climaxed on Sunday, May 26, 2024, with a Mass
The Most. Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji-SVD , Catholic Bishop of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, was the main celebrant with Very Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, the Superior of Ghana – Liberia Province, SVD and the Rev. Fr. Matthew Mensah, the Parish Priest of the St John the Baptist Parish as concelebrants.
Bishop Kumordji, in his homily, shared fond memories of Fr. Hans who served for nearly 20 years as the Priest in charge of the St. John the Baptist Parish.
He noted that Fr. Kempen encouraged the youth to enter the priestly vocation and was the brain behind God’s word for the day, produced by the SVD.
Most Rev. Kumordji admonished the congregation to cherish the values of Fr. Kempen-selfless services, commitment, dedication, and discipline.
He also encouraged the ethnic groups to forge ahead in unity and love.
The Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Eric Adiasany, assisted by his Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Felicia Mensah announced that the ongoing parish hall building project would be named Rev. Fr. Hans Van Kempen Parish Hall, when completed.
He said this would be in recognition of his years of support and commitment, including the acquisition of the land on which the current Church building is situated.
A photo exhibition on Rev. Fr. Hans Van Kempen and a performance by the Sunday School children climaxed the week celebration.
Earlier, the Bishop Kumordji inspected a guard mounted by the Knights of St John International and Ladies Auxiliary, the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, and the Catholic Youth Organisation of the Parish.
