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The Greater Accra Regional Council and Court of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall, celebrated their 80th Founder’s Day with a well-attended Mass at St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Abeka, Accra.
The occasion coincided with the first Mass of Rev. Fr. Konrad Dreyer, SVD, who has been transferred from St. Augustine’s Parish at Ashaiman, where he pastored for many years.
Present to grace the occasion was Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Kumodji, Provincial Superior of the Society of Divine Word Missionaries in Ghana, who was the homilist, with Fr. Dreyer as the main celebrant.
They were assisted by Rev. Fr. Sampson Feneku, SVD, Assistant Priest of St. Charles Lwanga and Rev. Fr. Kingsley Osei Boahene, Chaplain of the Kumasi Polytechnic.
In attendance were Rev. Bro. Stephen Domelevo, SVD, and Sir Kt. Bro. Cdr Lawrence Owusu Akyaw Prempeh, Psk.
The theme of the Marshallan Founders Day was 80 Years Of Marshallism In West Africa: The Legacy of Sir James Marshall.
The Church was packed to capacity by Marshallans in their red, blue, mauve, green and brown regalia.
In a homily, Fr. Kumodji commended the Marshallans for attaining 80 years, and prayed that their presence would be an inspiration and support to Fr. Dreyer.
He asked Catholics to hold on firmly to their faith and never be swayed away by smaller churches, noting that Catholics have additional strength through the Sacraments, “which nourish us.”
“The Word of God, Sacraments and prayer are the only means that can make us hold on to our faith,” he added.
Reflecting on the readings of the day, Fr. Kumodji said since no one knows the end time, it behoves on Christians to make the Word of God manifest in their lives so that they could be saved.
He said those who have problems with the Catholic Church should not “jump out” since it is only Jesus who saves, adding that they should always pray to meet Jesus when He calls.
The Provincial said the end time can be at times frightening but with trust in the Lord, the fear can be over come.
A message from Sir Kt. Bro. Prof. Dr. Dr. George Wireko Brobby, the Supreme Knight, was read by Mr. Wilfrid Andoh, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Grand Knight.
The Supreme Knight entreated Marshallans to use their anniversary to reflect, evaluate and direct their future path.
Mrs. Rose Erskine, Deputy Regional Noble Lady, on behalf of the Marshallans, presented a cheque for four million cedis to support development projects in the Parish.
Earlier, Mr. Vincent Geraldo, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, had welcomed the Marshallans and wished them a fruitful 80th anniversary.
There was fraternal message from the Knights of St. John International and their Ladies Auxiliary.
The occasion was used to launch an appeal in support of the Catholic Digest programme on Ghana Television (GTV).
Bro. Domelevo, Producer of the Programme and Mr. Andy Agyekum, Public Relations Officer to Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, called on Catholics to donate generously to sustain the programme, which aims at addressing the misconceptions non-Catholics have about the Church’s teachings and practices.
They said the Catholic Church is the first established by Christ and therefore should take the lead in evangelisation through the media.
Mr. Albert Essien, the in-coming Grand Knight of Council 10, Christ the King, Accra, pledged one million cedis every month towards the programme which cost ¢7 million every week.
About eight million cedis was realised on the spot by Friends of Catholic Digest to support the programme.
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