The St. Bakhita Parish in Lashibi Comm. 20 in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a Mass on February 9, 2025 to thank God for the success achieved for the past years.
The Thanksgiving Mass brought together parishioners, priests, representatives from Corpus Christi Catholic church, friends and families of the Parish.
The celebration was also graced by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, who presided over the mass and confirmed 20 candidates in the church.
In the welcome address, the chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Joycelyn Esiape, recounted the beginning of the church and its commitment to serving surrounding communities.
She said, “20 years ago, our church embarked on a mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of community 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Today we give thanks to God for the amazing journey we’ve shared. What we initially thought was going to be very small community has grown to become a mighty community, serving not only the community I mentioned above but beyond.”
In appreciation, she acknowledged Archbishop Kwofie for raising the church into a parish status and for hosting the ordination of 16 men into the holy priesthood in 2024.
Mrs. Esiape urged parishioners to be beckons of hope to the people in the community they serve.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of our mission to be a beckon of hope, love and service to the people we serve. We are committed to our mission of evangelization. Let us therefore renew our commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and to one another ”, she said.
Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie in his homily commended the parish for their dedication and the progress they have achieved since the church begun.
He said, “You have done well, so well, you have a church, you have a grotto, you have a rectorate that is housing one of the auxiliary bishops, you have a school, you have an outstation. What more should I ask of you.”
He encouraged parishioners to actively involve themselves in spiritual programs and activities.
“I would encourage you to patronize spiritual programs. If for instance the priest invites you to come one evening for Bible service or studies, only a few come. You need to work on that”, he advised.
He also told the confirmants that as they have received the sacrament of holy confirmation, they have decided to follow Jesus without looking back and advised them to remain committed to the Catholic Church.
Toward the end of Mass, the St. Bakhita Parish 20th anniversary logo was unveiled and some presentations were given to Archbishop Kwofie, his Secretary and driver for their dedication and hard work in the Archdiocese.
St. Bakhita Parish was first established in the year 2005 with few members organizing rosary prayers and mass at the Corpus Christi Basic School pavilion.
The parish, over the past 20 years and after its dedicated in 2024 has seen a successful growth in number and infrastructure, working in service to surrounding communities.
By Veronica Sena Amenya//Newswatchgh.com
