BROTHERS FIC, GHANA PROVINCE

REPORT ON PROVINCIAL DAY/FAMILY FEAST CELEBRATION

28TH DECEMBER, 2014 AT ISTC-WA

As tradition demands, we as Brothers FIC, Ghana province, had the pleasure to come together once again to mark the birth day of our congregation which we usually express as FIC family feast on 21St Novembereach year; However, we now do celebrate this day in our province on 28ThDecember, instead of  21StNovember, for convenient reasons.

The theme for the celebration was: Thanks giving to God for many favours received. With a sense of gratitude, this theme offered brothers the opportunity not to only meet and celebrate together as a full house, but also as a platform for discussing issues that are central to our lives. That is, we were privileged to have the opportunity for merry making as well as to commemorate our individual and collective accomplishments.  

Prior to this day, the usual Provincial Council and Local Councils meeting were held in the morning of 27Th December. This meeting presented to us the opportunity to share among others our joys, worries and expectations regarding our roles in the communities/province. Issues discussed included among others the following: Study policy of the province and possible rotation of local bursars on yearly bases. Brothers also had the opportunity to listen to the progress reports on building projects such as the St. Louis story building, dining hall, and the Jubilee school. The health matters of brothers with particular reference to Hepatitis B vaccination, annual medical checkups and the Jubilee celebrations of brothers also caught our attention and discussion.

The afternoon of same day saw the Provincial Treasurer and Local Bursars in a meeting/mini-workshop aimed at updating the latter on the new financial reporting system instituted in the congregation among others. Participants were taken through topics such as: Basic book keeping and its importance to the Tally program, preparation of Asset register and its importance and preparation of monthly statements. The meeting was organized by the Provincial Treasurer - Bro. Clement Naapire and the inputs given by Mr. Latuo Peter – A Charted Auditor.

 We started the provincial day, 28Th December at 8:45am with a prayer service led by a liturgy committee in ISTC Chapel. This paved way for the first part of the morning session mainly devoted on health matters under the topic: Nutrition, diet, regenerative health, chronic diseases and their prevention.It was nicely presented by two health personnel. Here it is worth noting that Bro. Bosco Bongnia played an instrumental role in bringing these facilitators. Their inputs educated the brothers on the importance of eating the right food for healthier life, the causes of some chronic diseases and how to avoid catching them. The powerful take home message in general was that, healthy foods do not really cost much and that, the healthier the brothers are in the community, the less times they would frequent the hospital, thus give all of usmore time to concentrate on our apostolate.

The second part of the morning session could be described as a family meeting during which the Provincial Superior briefed brothers on the outcome of the PC-LC meeting held the previous day as well as information on other important decisions of the PC that Brothers of the Province should know. Following thiswas the Provincial Treasurer who took the brothers through the year 2015 budget. Bro AlpitioKog, one of the participants of the 2014 FIC Journey to Spiritual Enrichmentto the Netherlands (OASIS 2014), was given the chance to give a brief report on that. According to him it was well attended and participants were very happy with experiences.

Having refreshed our bodies and minds with games in the afternoon, we came around the Alter still in the ISTC Chapel for a Eucharistic celebration at 6:00pm. It was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Cornelius Bayirinuba, Vicar General of the Diocese - Wa. In an introduction to the Eucharistic celebration, the provincial superior, Bro Seregeous Dery lauded among other important issues that the celebration of the family feast over the years have become a vital component of our life as FIC brothers. And this, he continued, is to cement our bonds as people of one vision and mission in our common call. According to Him, when he touched on the health talk we had in the morning, He said that as a PC, “we would monitor its aftermath results, evaluate and where necessary, enact reinforcement measures to ensure we get the expected results.”

Further still, Bro Seregeous also used this time to thank God for the life of our deceased brothers who through faith and self- sacrifice have passed on the burning flame to us. He also thanked God for the creditable lives and service of brothers Fabian P.Kuupille and GodfreyNaa-Tampah who had turned silver in September, 2014 in religious life.

Having taken time to carry out the above activities, we plunged further into the social evening of the feast at 8:30pm at again at ISTC. It was clear that the brothers had time for one another in our communal gatherings as one of the sources of our unity and solidarity. Our brotherhood was clearly expressed as we took pleasure in sharing ourselves in various small groups and also with some drinks.Particularly exciting in this gathering was a power point video presentation of the 2014 Oasis in the Netherlands from which came our five Ghanaian brothers. Brothers had fun and joy at this power point to refresh their minds at the sight of some brothers, places and activities in and around the Netherlands. 

Mr.Mr.Franciscus G. M. Kleinpenning, the brother of the late Bro. JohnKleinpenning, who was on a visit to the Province was decorated with smock by the PC. The Jubilarians, Bros. Fabian Kuupille and Godfrey Naa-Tampah each also received a smock from the PC in recognition of their selfless service in the FIC family for 25 years. 

To all intents and purposes, this FIC family re-union offered brothers the opportunity to share, discuss as well as celebrate our unity and solidarity. It was also used to give thanks to God for the lives of both the living and the dead, while withhope, we look forward to further intensify on the unifying agents for a better quality communal living.

Written by

Bro. Godwin Saabekone Kuuireme, FIC.

Communication Secretary, FIC Ghana Province

18 – 01 - 2015