ANOTHER MEMORIAL MASS HELD IN GHANA PROVINCE FOR TWO DECEASED BROTHERS

DATE: 26/09/15

VENUE: THE PROVINCIAL HOUSE

TIME: 6: 30 PM

Another memorial mass to commemorate the death of Brothers Stephen Custers (whose funeral and burial rites took place in the Netherland on 26th September) and Leander Tengtule (whose mortal remains is still in the mortuary in Wa regional hospital awaits funeral rites and burial on the 2nd to 3rd of October, 2015) was held in the Provincial House of the FIC brothers in Ghana after similar one was held two weeks ago for the late Br John van Winden. Priests, religious and the lay faithful attended the mass service presided over by His Lordship Bishop Paul Bemile and five concelebrating Priests.

In his welcome address to the invited sympathizers who have come to commiserate with the brothers, the Provincial Superior Bro. Seregious Dery recalled the life and experiences of the late Bro. Stephen Custers who arrived in Ghana forty five (45) years ago. He indicated that Br. Stephen Custers was a man imbued with a missionary and apostolic spirit. He was obedient to his superiors and totally available to render his services wherever he was needed. He taught in Nandom Secondary school, Kanton Secondary school in Tumu, St. Charles Minor Seminary in Tamale, Secretary to the Bishop of Damongo in 1998 – 2001, Secretary to the FIC Provincial Council in 2001-2007 he finally became administrative secretary and accounts officer to St. Kizito’s Technical Institute at Bole where he got involved in a fatal motor accident which led to his demise in the Netherlands where he was sent for proper treatment.

In his sermon to the brothers and invited guests, Bishop Paul described late Bro. Stephen Custers as a faithful shepherd who tended his sheep with love and dedication. He confirmed the story from the Provincial Superior that the late Custers went through difficult times in Tamale to save the lives of the Konkomba students from the Dagombas attack. Bishop Paul said he met Bro. Custers at the Tamale Residency with a bus full of Konkomba students escaping from the Dagomba attack during the so called “guinea fowl war” in 1994. He ended with the saying from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans already captured in the Provincial Superior’s welcome address that “whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14: 8)