COMMUNICATING THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF HOLY CROSS IN THE DISTRICT OF WEST AFRICA SPECIAL DISTRICT PROGRAM: YEAR OF THE BROTHER

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1 COMMUNICATING THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF HOLY CROSS IN THE DISTRICT OF WEST AFRICA VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 July-September 2012 SPECIAL DISTRICT PROGRAM: YEAR OF THE BROTHER The District of West Africa held a special program focusing on the Year of the Brother, on Sunday and Monday, August 12 th and 13 th. For various reasons this special year of the Holy Cross Brother seemed unable to sustain the initial enthusiasm and promotional activities outside the District as envisioned in the first few months after this Year had begun. The annual District Retreat during mid-august thus took advantage of all who would be coming to the District Center to include something relating to the Year of the Brother as a preface to this retreat. Bro. Nicholas Arthur, who has been directing activities during this Year, organized a seminar with this purpose in mind. On Sunday morning Bro. Joseph Annan gave the first presentation: Who is a Brother? On Sunday afternoon Bro. Nicholas Arthur developed the topic The Future of the Brother in the Church, Following each presentation members present were divided into 4 groups to discuss these two respective issues, after which all reassembled with each group presented its reflections on the given topic opportunity given for further general remarks. On Monday morning, Bro. Joseph Tsiquaye spoke on The Formation of the Brother with the same procedure for discussion and reports as before. Concluding the program, Bro. Nicholas strongly encouraged all members in their respective locations and ministries to do something of a concrete nature in schools, youth groups, etc., to foment greater interest and knowledge about the vocation of the Holy Cross Brother. Perhaps one might find some profit in dialogue with friends on Facebook, not just by identity as a Brother of Holy Cross, but something of his activities from time to time of what he is doing as a Holy Cross Brother. in identifying himself with others..? Clearly this was a very worthwhile time prior to the retreat that followed it. THE YEAR OF THE HOLY CROSS BROTHER The Brother of Holy Cross is a disciple of Christ as a consecrated religious with evangelical vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Congregation of Holy Cross. He strives, supported in his community, for a fuller union with Christ through his religious communal life and in his loving concern in his service to others, confident that this is God s Will for him, engendering hope in the promise of his own eternal glory in Christ, endowing him with hope to bring to others.

2 The Responsorial Psalm sung on the last day of the Retreat DISTRICT ANNUAL RETREAT Following the program for the Year of the Brother, the District of West Africa began its annual retreat for all members at the District Center on Monday Evening 13 th August. We were fortunate to have Rev. Father Vincent K. Owusu, SVD, as the Director for the retreat. Father Vincent is currently Director of the Institute for Continuing Formation for all Religious Sisters and Brothers in Ghana, but inclusive of expatriate religious, as well. He is also a former provincial of the Society of the Divine Word in Ghana. As is customary, the retreat generally unfolded in an atmosphere of silence, this latter enhanced at meal times with background music of well-chosen spiritual hymns. However, this perhaps further encouraged the lively singing accompanied by organ and African rhythm instruments for Liturgical celebrations during the retreat.. The practical, along with more profound aspects of religious life, which Father Vincent incorporated in his presentation, rounded out the general theme for the retreat: Commitment and Dedication in Religious Life. His references in a number of instances to his own experience in his religious community over the years, especially as provincial, reinforced his remarks on essentials of living lives with commitment and dedication. Each house was responsible for a given day during the retreat. Each evening as the last activity for the day, the community held a Holy Hour in our St. Brother Andre Chapel, the place where all conferences were given. The retreat concluded with a most joyful Celebration of the Eucharist at 5 PM on Friday evening. Of course, the evening dinner was shared with joy and enthusiasm, which is par for the course in coming to the District Combo: Ever impressive and capable end of a retreat, including the preface with the two days for reflecting on the Year of the Brother. We express our thanks once again to Rev. Father Vincent K. Owusu, who graciously gave us of his time and wisdom during this week well spent in our annual retreat.

3 SISTER SCHOLASTICA AMPADU, C.S.C. MAKES FINAL PROFESSION OF VOWS On Saturday 8 th September, the Feast of the Birth of Mary, the regular Liturgy for the day was greatly enhanced at St. Brother Andre Chapel at the District Center in Brafoyaw. It was the occasion, also, on which Sr. Scholastica Ampadu,CSC made her final profession of the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Her mother, sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers were present at her final profession. Sr. Joan Marie Steadman, President of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sr. Sharlet Ann Wagner, General Secretary of the Sharing thoughts while awaiting the choir Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sr. Margaret Mary Nimo, Area Coordinator for Africa. The scheduled time for the event was delayed owing to the late arrival of the large bus of members of the choir from the parish of Sr. Scholastica in Takoradi. With them taking their designated place, and also most of the Sr. Scholastica singing the hymn Magnfiicat as Rsp. Psalm Facing the congregation she professes her Final Vows given witnessed by CSC Family Holy Cross Sisters and Brothers singing a blessing hymn for Sr. Scholastica. members of the District present, the chapel was well-filled. Fr. Bob Gilmour, CSC was the celebrant, who blended well the separate occasions of the regular Liturgy: Mary s Birth and his prayers, remarks, and homily. The ceremony of the profession of final vows was blended within the Liturgy, with select hymns Sr. Scholastica s church choir gave an outstanding musical performance generally adopted by our Holy Cross Family in Ghana on such occasions as this. It was evident as the choir performed that it was well their own selections, that indeed it was worth waiting for their late arrival. After the Liturgy, all assembled outside to continue with a social and dinner. Sr. Scholastica teaches at the Nursing Midwifery Training College in Sekondi. She is a registered midwife nurse, and Coordinator of the Midwifery program. She holds a Bachelors degree of Education in health sciences and Master of Arts

4 in educational administration. It is Sr. Scholastica s hope that there will be an increasing number of young women seeking to join their Holy Cross community here in Ghana, who will pursue ministries in health services. The latter through the history of the Sisters of the Holy Cross has been a trademark of their Congregation of no small significance, although perhaps they are more well known for their contribution in educational ministries. CAPE COAST FESTIVAL: CELEBRATION OF LIFE In the last month of August, the people in the Cape Coast metropolis take time to celebrate their annual Fetu Afahye Festival in a full week of activities, this year extending from Monday August 27 th through Sunday September 2 nd. With rare exception Paramount Chief watches passersby as he Different drum-sizes effect harmonic sound sits at the Durbar Grounds. major cities, towns and towns and villages have a festival week around this time of the year. Thus, it is deemed worthy for our readers interest, to insert in this regular issue, something of this event, since it manifests a prevailing spirit of joy ever ready to surface as for this occasion among those to whom we minister here in Ghana. Truly, the Ghanaian people know No amplifier necessary! how to celebrate life, despite their apparent deprivations in so many material concerns. They have the strength to cope with life s adversities by the fact of their strong communal support in sharing the unfolding events in their lives good times and bad times alike. Saturday is always the biggest day of celebration in this festival week, which includes a parade of some two kilometers on the major route through the city shortly after midday from its central market,

5 Kotokoraba, to reach some two hours later Queen Victoria Park (named when a British colony). Unfortunately, no photo is at hand to reflect the splendor of the paramount chief/king and sub -chiefs, each of whom is robed in gold-embellished garments and wearing golden crowns. The major speech at the gathering of thousands of people at the park is given by the paramount chief, much as a state of the union address. In the parade it is always customary that each chief is carried on a palanquin (throne on platform) by at least 6 strong men some 7 feet above street level. Each will have several huge African drums attached to the back of the palanquin with individual drummers. Unfortunately the palanquin was precluded from the parade this year owing to the death in mid-august of the Ghanaian president. He was mourned with due recognition given throughout one whole week of mourning during which tributes and prayer services were organized. prior to his The Festival: A sure tourist attraction burial. During the funeral more tributes and fond recollections filled the airwaves an the print media.. Being among the crowd of parade viewers, however, one could hear comments that the palanquins should have been allowed, because the procession lacked the usual pomp and pageantry associated with such celebrations. Instead of being carried aloft on their lavish palanquins, acclaimed by viewers as they passed by, the chiefs walked behind a crowd of their supporters, with the drummers following at some distance. The photos cannot begin to capture the extravagance of the panorama in color, sound, and gaiety, but hopefully this will give one some appreciation for their brothers and sisters in this developing nation, who offer us a lesson by this witness to their celebration of life. PATRONAL FEAST DAY, OUR LADY OF SORROWS SILVER JUBILEES OF BROTHERS SYLVESTER QUAYE AND TONY DADZIE On Saturday, 15th September 2012, the family of Holy Cross in Ghana gathered at the Holy Cross District Center at Brafoyaw in the Central Region of Ghana to celebrate together their Patronal Feast, Our Lady of Sorrows. Members came from West, Central and from the north to gather on the coast at the District Center of Holy Cross in West Africa. The community celebrated not only their Patronal Feast Day, our Lady of Sorrows, but the silver jubilees of profession of our Brothers Sylvester Quaye and Tony Dadzie. Bro. Nicholas Arthur, Assistant District Superior, presenting to each Jubilarian a gift from the District. Brothers Sylvester and Tony with fellow staff members of St. John s School, and Brothers of Holy Cross also teaching there

6 It was a grand and beautiful day in every way. We celebrated a Eucharist together in our St. Bro. Andre Chapel gathered on the rooftop of the District Center for a Feast day meal and some good companionship and conversation. At the left in the photo are Bro. Sylvester Quaye and Bro. Tony Dadzie cutting the Jubilee cake. In such instances there is always need for capable assistants: Paul Mensah, Sr. Margaret Nimo, and Fr. Alfonse, SVD. Info and Photos Fr. Bob Gilmour Catechists Seminar on Family Prayer Every year Catechist all over Ghana gather and we are invited to give a presentation on Family Rosary. This year the gathering, which took place in Takoradi, brought together more than 500 participants. We shared in a talk on family prayer and conducted an open discussion on how families can help to promote family prayer at their various parishes. There were also many questions on devotion to Mary and the Rosary. The gathering ended with participants receiving Rosaries. Queen of Peace Basic School a private Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Cape Coast run by Sisters of Notre Dame, recently invited Holy Cross Family Ministries to lead them in Angelus prayer and also share insights on the topic, "My Role in the Family." In addition to the presentation by Family Rosary Director Brother Patrick Baah, CSC, a discussion among and with the children provided the opportunity for the children to share and learn from one another. Their various contributions towards building up a happy Christian home were inspiring respective parishes. Info and photos Brother Patrick Baah COME AND SEE - HOLY CROSS SISTERS On 8th August 2012 the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Ghana conducted a Come and See Programme at their Nyame Adom Centre. Fourteen 14 young ladies, mostly of the last two years high school gathered to

7 to gain more knowledge of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Ghana. The participants spent ten days with the Sisters toward an aim of learning and discerning about their own vocations. Sr. Evelyn Ntiamoah, CSC, Directress of Vocations, organized the programme, was assisted by others in her CSC community. The programme included presentations relating to: the Call; Holy Cross Heritage; and History of Religious Life. The participants also visited other Holy Cross communities, including the Brothers of Holy Cross District Centre at Brafoyaw and the Brothers Community at St. Augustine s College, Cape Coast. Throughout a few fun activities were scheduled ; one of these being a visit to Kakum National Park, an ever popular site for tourists. which some of these young Ghanaians have not had the opportunity to visit before. News briefs Brother Joe Annan has taken up residence in the St. Bro. Andre Novitiate where he has been assigned as the Assistant Novice Director with Bro. Joe Tsiquaye as continuing Novice Director. Bro. Joe Annan is attending the Congregational Finance Commission meeting at Notre Dame, IN from the 27 th September 21 st October 2012 Bro. Vincent Ntsiful went to Rome for the Forum Program, which is comprised of mostly Young rofessed Religious in July. Brothers Vincent and John Affum did Post Graduate Education Course at UCC from June- August. From 9th September to 20th September Bro. Daniel Dardoe was in Europe (Germany) to visit Missio and Misereor seeking funding support for building the new Bro. Andre High School at Kasoa - From July 16th to 27th 2912 Fr. Bob Gilmour was in the US - Notre Dame for the Congregational Financial Task Force Meeting andthe Congregational Planning Task Force Meeting. On 20th Oct 2012 the- District will hold its celebration for the closing of the Year of the Holy Cross Brother as well as the Profession of vows of our present Novices.