The St. Joseph Quasi-Parish, Alakple in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese and its Outstations on Sunday, July 4, 2021, bade farewell to the first Priest-in-charge who later become the first Parish Priest with a Mass attended by many people of God he had shepherded for seven years (2013 to 2021).
The farewell Mass for Rev. Fr. Mark Akpene Etsey was in recognition and appreciation of his immense contribution towards the spiritual growth and physical development of the Church Community in the part of Ghana known as “Alaska, the Hidden City”.
Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi, now Emeritus, appointed Fr. Etsey as the first Priest-in-Charge of St. Joseph Church on October 31, 2013, but he arrived in Alakple on November 14, 2013.
Right from the time, he began his Ministry at the St. Joseph Church, he had a well thought out vision and mission for the spiritual and physical development of the Church and he worked assiduously towards achieving his goals.
He was instrumental in ensuring that the two Outstations, the Sacred Heart Church at Atito, and the Holy Cross Church at Salo have a feel of a Priest celebrating Mass with them. He scored his first important goal when Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, the Bishop of Keta-Akatsi Diocese crowned his untiring efforts with the elevation of St. Joseph Church to the status of a Quasi-Parish on October 2, 2017 and subsequently appointed him as the first Parish Priest.
He did not stop there as he fought the odds to have some works done in the physical structure of the church and the roofing of the Presbytery (Mission House). Though the Church faced some teething challenges, he remained undaunted and worked tirelessly to serve the people and ensuring their spiritual growth.
He saw to it that liturgical discipline was instilled in the faithful Masses but most importantly, saving the souls of the flock as God has been his ultimate aim and pursuit during his seven years of shepherding the people of God. His liturgical discipline, principles and instructions can never be underestimated in no circumstances.
His homilies are par-excellence, feeding the soul of the people of God with great homilies, hence exhibiting his prowess, knowledge and authority in homiletics.
As a man who is deeply spiritual, he encouraged all those who came his way to accept that the only means by which one could get closer to God was through persistent prayer, frequent attendance to Mass and reception of Communion.
Through his untiring efforts and excellent knowledge in spirituality, St. Joseph Church and the Outstations at Atito and Salo undertook numerous spiritual programmes; notable among them were regular Sunday Masses, Weekday Morning Masses, Confessions, numerous Recollections, Retreats, Tridia, Novenas, Bible Sharing, Catechism Classes, Doctrinal Teachings, Daily Communion to the Sick, Christian Burial Consultation by lay the faithful and Small Christian Community.
During the tenure of Fr. Mark, he is on record to have administered the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion to many people; officiated three marriage ceremonies; presided over 58 funeral Masses; and through his instrumentality, many who were not receiving Communion for obvious reasons returned to the altar of the Lord to receive His Body and Blood. He also confirmed about 15 elderly as they received the three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
The achievements chalked by Fr. Etsey in Alakple have made him not just an outstanding Man of God but have also put the St. Joseph Quasi-Parish on the pedestal in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese as a beacon of hope for the Catholic Faithful. This was indeed manifested during his Farewell Mass on July 4, 2021 as many faithful in spite of their busy schedules attended the Mass.
During his leadership, the Parish was nominated by the Keta-Akatsi Diocese to host the first ever Papal Awards on May 6, 2018, presided over by the then Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop Jean Marie Speich and concelebrated by Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji and Bishop Anthony Kwami Adanuty.
It is on record that during his leadership as the Parish Priest, two Priests, Fr. Eric Kplorla Dagbui and Fr. Stanley Azameti and a Nun, Sr. Anastasia Gifty Blewu, all from Alakple celebrated their Thanksgivings Masses of Ordination and Final Vows Respectively at the St. Joseph Quasi-Parish.
During his second year of arrival in Alakple, he empowered the women in St. Joseph Church to form two groups of Co-operative to help the women to have a better financial stand than before he arrived. Indeed, he also empowered the youth and children of through Catechism and teachings, Seminars, Talks and Retreats.
Rev. Fr. Mark’s commitment as a priest and the enthusiasm with which he carried out his Ministry has greatly impacted positively not only on Parishioners of St. Joseph Church but the Christian and non-Christian communities in Alakple.
His display of such special qualities as an excellent advisor earned the confidence of the Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi.
He also ensured the cleanliness of the Church. It is therefore not surprising that the Bishop once described St. Joseph Church as one of the neatest Churches in the Diocese.
He is a team leader and a good player coach, whose laughter is infectious and who laughs with everybody but cries alone.
As local Manager of St. Joseph RC Basic School, he extended spiritual and physical support to the School and the Pupils by celebrating morning Masses, teaching of catechism and hearing of confessions. During his tenure, he also initiated the supply of some learning equipment (Projector, laptop with screen, and printer) through the support of Bishop Kumordji.
In spite of his occasional instability of health at the later part of his leadership, he did all he could to shepherd the flock entrusted to him. He was a master in interpersonal relationship and an expert organizer. The way he related with Parishioners, both young and old has been excellent all though some did not understand his ministry as the Priest- in-charge.
He indeed encouraged many to express genuine love for one another in the Body of Christ and to the people around them. His example of selfless love and service to God and Man greatly influenced our sense of commitment and dedication that has propelled forward the development of this Parish.
If today St. Joseph Quasi-Parish is held in high esteem throughout the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, it is believed the credit should be accorded him.
Many in the quiet have admired his priestly zeal and when the St. Joseph Quasi-Parish said goodbye to him on Sunday, July 4, 2021, many exclaimed, “We want you to know that you will forever remain in our hearts and minds.”
“We thank the Almighty God for giving us a Servant like you, a caring shepherd and a Friend,” a parishioner said. Another said, “We thank you from the depths of our hearts for your excellent leadership and guidance, for the quest for excellence you have instilled in us and for your immense love and prayerful support.”
Without hesitation, a female parishioner spoke plainly by saying “We commend you highly for the extraordinary way and strength with which Fr. Mark has administered and steered the affairs of St. Joseph Church from 2013 to 2021.
Adding, the enthusiastic female parishioner said, “We shall forever owe you a debt of gratitude for how far you have brought St. Joseph from a Church to a Quasi-Parish.”
On Saturday, July 17, 2021, Fr. Mark will celebrate 22 years of his priestly ordination and as he prepares to mark this milestone, all prayerful wishes from the people of Alakple are with him.
