On Saturday, September 7, 2024 at the St. Paul’s Parish, Kpehe, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Sr. Mary Justina Eva Johnfiah, HDR professed her perpetual vows whiles Srs. Mary Marcelina Kotorchie, HDR and Mary Lucy Bridget Osei, HDR celebrated their ruby jubilee.
The Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, an Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra officiated the Mass.
During the Mass, the Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Ben Sikpa welcomed everyone to the Parish and thanked the HDR Sisters for choosing St. Paul’s Parish for the celebration.
In his homily, Bishop Asare exhorted the Sisters to be mothers to the Church as Mary, who is seen as the spiritual mother to all believers, saying, as sisters, the maternal aspect of Mary should help foster a deep connection to every HDR community.
He encouraged the Sisters to always turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intercession and seek for her guidance and support in their spiritual journey and daily challenges.
He also stated that, the practice of Marian devotions such as, praying the rosary, and the angelus should be essential to their spiritual life reinforcing their commitment to prayer and contemplation.
Bishop Asare also said the fiat or yes of Mary to God is an example of total surrender and trust. These are qualities, he stated every Religious Sister should strive to embody in their lives.
He stated, “By modeling your life after Mary, you are to find strength and inspiration in your vocation”.
The Bishop added that Mary is not only a figure of reverence but also a constant source of inspiration that guides their mission and various apostolate to live out the love and compassion of Christ in the world.
He congratulated the Sisters and appreciated their unwavering faith, dedication, love, and for touching and inspiring many lives through their compassion, wisdom and commitment to living the gospel.
During the Mass, Sr. Mary Justina Eva Johnfiah, HDR professed her perpetual vows which was received by the Superior General, Sr. Paula Nkansah Otchere, HDR whiles Srs. Mary Marcelina Kotorchie, HDR and Mary Lucy Bridget Osei, HDR renewed their vows and thanked God for 40 years of Religious Life.
The Parish presented gifts and bouquet of flowers to the three sisters. In appreciation, the Superior General on behalf of the congregation donated a set of altar linen to the parish.
The celebration was well attended by Priests from the Accra Archdiocese including the host Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu, Rev. Fr. Derrick Senyo Abbey, the Assisting priest, Msgr. Peter Kofi Atsu and Msgr. Peter Agbenu.
Also present were Priests and religious from other dioceses and congregations, family members, friends, loved ones, members of St. Theresa of the child Jesus, the Christian mother’s association, and some invited guests.
Sr. Johnfiah, HDR on behalf of the jubilarians thanked the Bishop, Superior General of the HDR and all Sisters for their unflinching support and prayers.
The HDR sisters are the Diocesan Congregation of the Archdiocese of Accra. The Congregation welcomes all young girls who feel called to offer their lives to the service of God in the church.
By Sr. Alberta Ama Rabbles, HDR (Sister Communicator)
