The Most Rev. Bishop John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Vicariate has urged beneficiaries of African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) to make every effort to lift the banner of the institution high.
Speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebration of ASEC on August 24, 2024, at St. Mary’s Vocational School in Elmina, he urged the Sisters never to feel undermined but be courageous in carrying out their duties.
“Just like the Saint of the day, he was truthful, honest, no deceit, no fraud. How do the Lord see you? How does the Lord describe you? May the Lord help us lift up our lights in truth,” he said.
In his homily during Mass to mark the Silver Jubilee of ASEC, Bishop Asiedu who is the Episcopal Chairman for Clergy and Religious/Laity, Youth and Women thanked and congratulated the founding Catholic Sisters in US who desired to help African Sisters in higher education.
ASEC was founded by four Sisters from different Congregations in America. They are Sr. Marcia Sihol, SHCJ, PhD; Sr. Carol Jean Vales SSJ, PhD; Sr. Anita Cattafesta, PhD; and Sr. Anne Munley, IHM, PhD in collaboration with Conrad Hilton Foundation to support African Sisters in higher education and other sectors.
The anniversary was marked together with the graduation of some Sisters who had completed their certificate courses in Management and Financial Accounting of Sisters in Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI).
According to the Bishop mentioned, the founders and members of ASEC were committed to empowering African Sisters, saying, their statement of strategic plan was very much like that of the Catholic Church.
It is amazing to point it out that these five strategic plan is well planned and why the Church is interested in ASEC, he added.
According to Bishop Asiedu, Sisters serving in areas that are geographically difficult to reach, they are called to go the hard places and so we are called to give them the tools to dig deep.
“We are celebrating because ASEC programme is concerned with social activities. We reflect a year of God’s favour to people,” he stated, indicating that the activities were meant to ensure people have good relationships with one another and the environment.
The Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicar added that ASEC helps people to restore God’s plan and favour. Placing our hands in the Lord, we continue to work and serve the wider family serving in the spirit of humility and love in protecting God’s creation.
In attendance were t, Sr. Francisca Damoah, SIJ, the Director of ASEC West Africa; Sr. Martha Attakruh, SHCJ, the country Director ASEC-Ghana; Sr. Barbara Spears, SNJM Rev. Fr. Paul Saa Dede Ennin, SMA, President conference of the Major Superiors of Religious -Ghana (CMSR-GH).
Also present were the Most Rev. Matthias K. Nketsiah Emeritus Archbishop of Cape Coast, Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori, the Vice- Chancellor of the Catholic University of Ghana; Madam Monica Nkrumah, the Principal of Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Berekum, Beneficiary Sisters from various congregations and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for ASEC from US
By Sr. Patricia Akoto, FST (Sister Communicator)
