The Superior General of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC) and her Council, have thanked God for a successful mediation between the Adeasanga/Buaka families of Sokode Gbogame over a land dispute.
Rev. Sr. Dr. Lucy Hometowu, SMMC, together with some SMMC Sisters joined parishioners of the St. Anthony Catholic Church, Sokode Gbogame to thank God for this historic event.
The June 23, 2024 thanksgiving Mass was attended by the Dutor of Sokode, Dutor Jahphet, who is now the father of the Sisters, the nine-member mediation committee and other elders of the Sokode traditional area.
The Secretary of the Mediation Committee, Togbe Peni read out the recommendations of the committee to the hearing of all after which the document was officially presented to the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church.
Sr. Lucy was very appreciative to the Chiefs, elders and the family of the land donors. She expressed joy about how all have ended well in peace.
Rev. Fr. Anthony Akpalu, the Parish Priest was very grateful to God for a successful mediation between their landlords in resolving land disputes as he reflected with the faithful on theme ‘prayer in Faith.
He expressed excitement for a successful ceremony the previous day when the Sisters were given a ‘father’ according to the traditional customs.
The ceremony was needful because the Sisters have resided in Sokode for a long time and it was just beautiful to establish a lasting relationship with the people.
Fr. Akpalu entreated the youth to respond to the call of God to the Religious Life and priesthood. He introduced the Superior General and many of the Sisters who occupy various positions in the field of work and challenged the youth to aspire for greatness.
He added: “The opportunities are enormous when you respond to the call of God. When Job questioned God, God told him only human power is limited. God is the Supreme Being.”
He pointed out that God has power over his creation which works everywhere and challenged the faithful to be like ‘Peter and John’ who worked wonders in the name of Jesus, adding, Prayer is very necessary and when you are rooted in Christ, he will answer you.
“The traditionalists’ even command and this happen. How much more those of us in Christ. In all circumstances of life, Christ name must not be far from us. At the name of Jesus every knee must bend,” he said.
Sometimes we fear, it’s justified but in prayer we can do wonders. We must not tempt Christ power simply because we’re in him. If humans can give directions, God’s direction is the best.
According to Fr. Akpalu St. Paul exhorted that “we shall not live any longer for ourselves but for Christ.”
He advised the faithful to eschew hatred and gossips, saying, “Peace must reign in our life. Love must lead us. Two wise people cannot live together one must be stupid for peace to reign.”
“We must all live in peace. One does not give anything to God and expects to take it back. Why is that in every community there is one or two who disrupt peace. Why does the righteous suffer? Let’s live in peace,” he intimated.
Fr. Akpalu indicated that land litigation will be a thing of the past if people strive after peace.
He exhorted the faithful not to disturb the peace mediation that had brought peace and not disturb the Sisters for their presence has brought a lot of development.
He prayed that God would speak to the heart of those who stand against development in the community.
He prayed for the elders and opinion leaders to support the Sisters in their mission and challenged them that they should fight for a bank to be constructed.
By Sr. Gifty Anastasia Blewu SMMC (Sister Communicator)
