The April 12 Divine Mercy Sunday Mass to climax the 3-day pilgrimage, which was held at the Bebusu Catholic Church grounds, was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael Awuah Ansah, Chaplain of St. Fidelis Senior High Technical School, Tease, representing the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of the Vicariate, who was unavoidably absent.
The Mass was concelebrated by the other Priests of the Vicariate, and a homily delivered by the Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Adjei Appiah, SVD, Administrator of the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom.
In his homily, Fr. Adjei reflected on the communitarian life of the early Christians, exemplified in the First Reading (Acts 2:42-47), and called all to emulate the early Christians who lived together, ate together, prayed together, owned and shared everything in common.
He buttressed the need for the faithful to be merciful to one another and live in such a way that allows those around them to feel safe and accepted, to enable them to reach their full potential, alluding to the encounter of Thomas and the other disciples in the Gospel (John 20:19-31). He opined that Thomas was able to pronounce the core of the Catholic faith in the words, “My Lord and my God,” at the Lord’s later appearance, because he did not feel judged or accused by his brothers for missing the initial appearance; rather, he felt joyful and calm within, when the disciples welcomed him with the consoling words, “We have seen the Lord” instead of the judgmental “Where did you go? Or what were you doing?”.
According to the SVD Priest, people are more themselves and more productive when they do not feel judged or condemned, hence Christians must live in unity, show mercy, and cultivate a non-judgmental stance towards one another, for their greater good.
He conveyed the Goodwill message of a fruitful celebration, long life, and good health from the Bishop to all the Christians gathered, and encouragement for all the young people to embrace the faith and live it, day by day, in the Spirit of the Risen Lord.
Other activities featured during the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass were the blessing and bidding of farewell to Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ameyaw, SVD, who was leaving the Vicariate for a new mission in Poland, by all the Priests present. There was also a Vocations Promotion done by the Vicariate Vocations Team, comprising of Rev. Fr. John Felix Awaitey Formedza Jnr., Vicariate’s Vocations Director and his Assistant, Rev. Fr. Anthony Teye Binyemi, Sr. Elizabeth Biga, SSpS, Sr. Francisca Kumevor, SMMC, and Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR.
Another major activity featured at the Mass was fundraising to begin the project of developing the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy grotto, Bebusu, in terms of raising permanent sheds with roofing sheets, constructing a place of convenience, and permanent slabs that will serve as seats during gatherings, instead of always transporting chairs from Donkorkrom. The Vicariate also intends to protect the land around the grotto by ploughing it and planting some fruit trees and other trees that could provide shade.
Before the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass to climax the Vicariate’s annual celebration, there had been Holy Mass on Friday, April 10, celebrated at the Bebusu Catholic Church by Rev. Fr. Gabriel Dabo-Gyamfi, Assisting Priest at St. Fidelis Parish, Tease, and on Saturday, April 11, at the Bebusu Mountain, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Otmer Auinger Aklah, Assisting Priest at St. Cecilia Parish Forofori. There was also a Rosary Procession up the Mountain, Confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, among other activities.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
