The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region, Very Rev. Fr. Francis LeMaire has lamented that humility was no longer attractive in the world today as a result of quest for power.
Preaching the homily at the Diaconate ordination of five candidates at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Tarkwa, he told them that humility and service would make them great, hence they should always aspire for it..
Urging the Ordinandi to be men of prayer and be facilitators, he asked them not to hesitate to call for back-up from fellow priests, prayer warriors, experts, benefactors as they attend to the needs of the people.
The Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi ordained the five young men on Thursday, January 11, 2024 as transitional deacons. The newly ordained Deacons are Reverends Kyereboah Cosmas, from Aboadze, Hermans Maxwell, from Tarkwa Banso, Sarfo Alexander, from Asankra Bremang, Coffie Emmanuel, from Asankra Bremang, Adabra Hope Kelvin from Shama.
The celebration brought together the Clergy, the Religious, the Laity and some Traditional leaders marking the solemn ceremony very colourful.
In his homily on behalf of the Bishop, Fr. LeMaire identified three categories of the Sacrament of the Holy Orders as the Episcopate, Presbyterate and Diaconate, pointing out that the Diaconate is category three.
He reminded the Deacons that though their position as deacons is transitory but their work as deacons is not transitory, pointing out that their work is the basic work of the Bishop and the Priests.
Fr. LeMaire noted that the Ordinandi have been groomed and nurtured through their formation, emphasising that by imposition of hands and prayer, they will be empowered to serve the people of God.
He added that the imposition of hands and prayer come with the character of readiness to serve, stressing that they will perform duties for the Bishop Priests and all the faithful, emphasizing the important role deacons play.
The Vicar General noted that responding to the call of God is becoming more challenging as a result of materialism and selfishness underscoring the importance of Humility and Service.
He appealed to the laity to continue to support the Diocese in the training of her seminarians by contribution generously through the seminary fundraising project.
On his part, Bishop Attakruh called on the newly ordained Deacons to be effective in action, active in ministry and constant in prayer.
Earlier in a welcome address, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Owusu, the Parish Priest heartily welcomed the Bishop and all present stressing that with the ordination, the deacons will become the eyes and hands of the Bishop in ministering to the needs of the poor.
He thanked the Bishop for the choice of the Parish as the venue for the ordination describing it as historic.
On behalf of his colleagues, Rev. Emmanuel Coffie expressed appreciation to the Bishop for ordaining them. He thanked their Formators, families, parishes and all those who joined them to celebrate in their joy with prayers, counsel and their resources both human and financial.
The celebration ended with the blessing on a newly built adoration chapel for the Parish.
DEPSOCOM Sekondi-Takoradi//Newswatchgh.com
