Growing Ghanaian community celebrates

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

WORCESTER – Singing and dancing.
A consecration to the Blessed Mother – inspired by an unexpected voice.
Awards for church and city leaders.
These were among ways the Ghanaian Catholic community celebrated its 10th anniversary at St. Joan of Arc Parish Sunday, Oct. 7.
The actual anniversary was in January, and other anniversary activities were held earlier this year, said Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, African Ministry chaplain.
“How proud I am of you,” Bishop McManus told members in his homily, saying the community has grown from a few vibrant, faith-filled people to more than 300. “This community is a gift to the Diocese of Worcester, indeed a gift to the entire Church. … It’s extraordinary what goes on in the life of this community each week.”
 Ten years ago the Ghanaians left the African community at St. Peter Parish and formed a community at St. Joan of Arc, because, members said, they wanted Mass in their native language, Twi.
The bishop told the Ghanaians they have put down “deep roots in only 10 years because of the love you have for the holy sacrifice of the Mass.”
He said it was providential that Sunday was the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
“Always look to Mary,” he said. “Ask her to put you under her mantle. … Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of the Church.”    
Father Kyeremateng led the congregation in a consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which he said the African communities in the diocese will pray on the Sundays of October, the month of the rosary.
During his morning prayer Oct. 3, he heard a voice telling him, “Dedicate the community to my Mother,” he told The Catholic Free Press. The message was repeated during Mass and he remembered that Oct. 7 is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
He said he compiled this consecration using various prayers he found online.
“O most pure heart of Mary, full of goodness, show your love towards us,” it begins. “Impress on our hearts true love so that we may long for you. … Grant that … we may be healed from every spiritual sickness. We give ourselves entirely to Jesus Christ … to carry our crosses after him … and to be more faithful to him than we have ever been before. Grant that … through the flame of your heart we may be converted for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.”
The consecration is followed by one Our Father and one Hail Mary “for the intentions of our bishop, for the Diocese of Worcester,” and requests for the prayers of St. Paul, patron of the diocese, and “all thee holy angels and saints.”
For Sunday’s Mass, Bishop McManus wore vestments given to him in August when Archbishop Gabriel Justice Anokye visited from Ghana. Father Richard F. Reidy, vicar general of the diocese, also wore a set of those vestments. Other concelebrants, who serve or served Africans here or who were visiting from elsewhere, wore vestments made of the cloth designed for the 10th anniversary. Many lay members of the community wore clothes made from the same cloth.
Father Kyeremateng explained the symbol printed on the cloth and the anniversary booklet as follows; The circle of three lines becoming one represents the Trinity. The cross is a reminder that “we are to carry our cross to follow Jesus in love.” Four hearts form a Nyame Dua (tree of God in Twi).
“When you see a ripe mango, (you) climb to get it,” Father Kyeremateng said. “You need to climb in love with a complete heart. … To be able to reach God, you need to have that heart for God and mankind.”
At the reception Father Reidy received an award for Bishop McManus, explaining that the bishop left because he didn’t feel well. Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty was also given an award for his support of the Ghanaians. Forty-three members of the community had received awards at an anniversary dinner dance Sept. 29, Father Kyeremateng said.
Visitors for the anniversary included members of the other African communities in the diocese and the Ghanaian Community Laity Council for the Eastern United States, who came from elsewhere in Massachusetts and nearby states, Father Kyeremateng said. He said close to 400 people attended the anniversary celebration.
Among brief talks was that of Nicholas Obeng, Ghanaian community president, who said the anniversary year theme was, “Let your light shine: Our journey with Christ.” He said the community has grown spiritually and physically.