RITES OF TRANSITION, RENEWAL OF VOWS AND FIRST PROFESSION OF BROTHERS IN GHANA PROVINCE, 6 – 7^TH SEPTEMBER, 2018.

On the 6^th and 7^th of September, 2018, more than thirty brothers ended the FIC common retreat in St. Louis community, Wa. In the evening on that day we witnessed the ceremony of transition of one candidate into canonical year of novitiate (Michael Besigrinee) and two candidates into apostolic year of formation (Prosper Ganye and Calistus Yengdem). On the same day, brothers Nimorius Ganee and Alexander Kofi Koomson renewed their religious vows for three more years. The ceremony was conducted in the context of Mass service celebrated by the retreat preacher, Most Reverend Richard Kuuia Baaworb, Bishop of Wa diocese. The ceremony was under the theme ‘At your service Lord’.

In his welcome address to the congregation, the Provincial Superior outlined the purpose of the evening celebration as follows:

1. To formally bring to a close the FIC common annual retreat and to thank God for the life and wonderful works of the retreat preacher, Bishop Richard Baaworb.
2. To thank God for the successful end of the 35^th FIC General Chapter and pray for the new leadership.
3. To witness the formal migration of the following candidates: Michael Besigrinee from Pre-novitiate to Canonical year of the novitiate; Yengdem Calistus and Ganye Prosper from Canonical year of Novitiate to the apostolic year of Novitiate
4. To witness to the renewal of vows of Alexander Kofi Koomson and Nimorius Ganee.

The ceremony of profession for three brothers (Bros: Edmond Mopuuru, Elijah Abugri and Jonas Porekuu) came on successfully the following day. It was under the theme ‘Here I am Lord, send me’ (Is. 49:1ff). The mass was presided over by Bishop Richard Baaworb Kuuia. The parish priest of St. Cecilia’s Parish and other concelebrating priests were present. The program was attended by many brothers including the families of the brothers making their first professions. Friends, relatives and collaborators of the brothers also came to grace the occasion.

In his usual and practical style of delivering his sermon at religious professions and ordinations, Bishop Richard invited one of the candidates to be professed to share with the congregation the reasons behind the theme they have chosen for the occasion. He appealed to the parents and relatives of the brothers yet to profess to understand that their sons joining the FIC family is a self-offering to serve the people of God and not an engagement to make money and come to solve their financial challenges in the families. He reiterated that they should commit the activities of the brothers into prayers so as to enable each brother respond to the call of God and carry on his tasks well.

The program ended with light refreshment in ISTC hall amid some traditional music, drumming and dancing.

                By Br Kuu-Ireme S. Godwin (FIC)