The Dean of the Wa Deanery, Reverend. Fr. Pamphilio K. Tengan has charged Christian faithful to think less about their personal interests and reach out to the less fortunate in Society.
Rev Fr. Tengan made the call in Wa during a homily at the launching of the 75th Anniversary of the Congregation of Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral in Wa.
GBC’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that Reverend Fr. Tengan admonished the citizenry to uphold charity. He said: “to joyfully perform works of charity towards those who suffer in body and spirit is the most authentic way of living the Gospel.”
He pointed out that “it is the necessary foundation for our Communities to grow in fraternity and mutual acceptance”.
Reverend Fr. Tengan who stood in for the Catholic Bishop of Wa, Most Reverend Richard Kuuia Baawobr further challenged the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) Congregation to continue their service to humanity, saying “we want to see the SMI congregation in our province and beyond after hearing of you these last 75 years”.
“We entreat you the members to take us to your congregation and help us see you present and working for our Salvation in the many fields of apostolate that you engage yourselves in our Parish and beyond,” he added.
The Dean of the Wa Deanery, Rev. Fr. Tengan emphasise, “May the Virgin Mary, who always kept the gaze of her heart fixed on her Son, from the manger in Bethlehem to the cross on Calvary help us to meet and know him as he wishes, so that we may live and enlightened by him, and bring him into the world fruits of Justice and Peace.”
The Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI), Reverend Sister Christina Pogbeyir was very grateful to the Lord the 75th milestone the congregation has attained in evangelization and touched on the waves that have been made at places like Navrongo, Damango, Nandom and zeroed down on St Andrews Cathedral in Wa.
The Superior General noted: “Today, we are here to launch the [Diamond] Jubliee in St. Andrew’s Cathedral here. The Convent here was open in 1975. You have been given apostolate on the Sisters by the Sister [Rev. Sr. Juliana Akayeti]. Our remarkable witness has been natured by all of you gathered here by your prayers, support and good counsel. These have accompanied us in every season of our lives’ journey for the 75 years. May God bless you all.”
Rev. Sr. Juliana Akayeti of SMI congregation announced that the Congregation started the Primary Health Care (PHC) concept in the Wa Diocese which is now termed the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound. She pointed out that the SMI Sisters operated Mobile Clinics that served the health needs of rural communities like Kulmasa, Kpaanamuna, Montigu, Baayiri, Loggu, Eggu, Piisi and Zan amomg others. Representatives of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin and the Upper West Regional Minister were at the event.
They were Messrs Sylvester Biekpe for the speaker and Dennis Beyuo for the Regional Minister. The Acting Upper Regional Director of GBC, Christopher Asiedu also graced the occasion. The focus of the event was “Gratitude to God for His Grace for 75 Years of Evangelization and Empowerment of people especially the vulnerable”.
Story by filed by Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo.
