BROTHERS FIC, GHANA PROVINCE

CELEBRATION OF THE 180^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE BROTHERS FIC AND 55^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIC GHANA PROVINCE

21ST NOVEMBER, 2020, AT ISTC-WA

THEME: GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR DEDICATED SERVICE IN HIS VINEYARD.

In a spirit-filled mood, at a composed and beautifully decorated ISTC environment, the Brothers FIC, Ghana Province, were happy to be together to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the erection of the FIC Ghana Province and the 180^th Anniversary of the foundation of the Brothers FIC. Other notable events such as the return home of Br. Mark Adama after a successful mission in Malawi and the Silver Jubilee of Brs. Augustine Kubdaar, Stephen Bangnabayi and Remy Nyukurong were commemorated.

The day began with a prayer service conducted by the liturgy committee under the theme: Healthy Life, the role of the individual person. After the prayer service, brothers acknowledged some good will messages from brothers abroad, friends and acquaintances to the “jubilarians”, and warm words of welcome to Br. Mark Adamah on his return to Ghana.

The second part of the programme, was a health talk on the same theme: Healthy Life, the role of the individual person facilitated by Prof. Juventus Benongle Ziem. As an astute Professor and medical practitioner, he did due diligence to the topic by enumerating life styles that expose us to sickness and how to avoid certain infections. His audience was very grateful for such expansive sharing.

Having done with the talk, attention drawn to the 2021 fiscal budget presented by Bro Godfred Naa-Tampah, the Provincial Treasurer. Another issue that was brought to the attention was the signing of the Will of a brother as pertained in the FIC Ghana Province. All brothers FIC in Ghana were encouraged to collect three copies of the will template from their respective local superiors, follow due process and sign them.

We had fun games in the evening at the St. Louis Volley ball court. There were lots fun in the display of old-time skills in the play of the game- volley ball.

Eucharistic celebration

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Pamphilio Tengan. In a welcome address, the Provincial Superior, Bro Seregious Dery, warmly welcomed Very Rev. Fr. Pamphilio Tengan, Dean of Wa Deanery, for accepting to stand in for the Bishop on this occasion. The Provincial equally welcomed Very Rev. Fr. Cletus Kulah, the new Parish Priest of St. Cecilia’s Parish - Wa. Similar warm welcome was extended to Bro Augustine Kubdaar - General Superior of the Brothers FIC. Brother Silver Jubilarians, Brs Stephen Bagnabayi, Augustine Kubdaar and Remy Nyukurong were keenly noted by the Provincial superior. Bro Mark Adamah was warmly welcomed back home from our African Province – Malawi, after 21 years of faithful and dedicated missionary work in a foreign land. Last but not least, the Provincial welcomed all brothers to our 55^th FIC Ghana province family feast celebration and 180^th FIC anniversary. He renowned that this annual celebration cements our bonds of unity as a province and also as an international congregation in all its inherit diversities in living our common call. He noted in particular that the mass was meant to address the following among others:

• To thank God for the lives of our deceased brothers who through faith, hard work and self-sacrifice, have initiated, maintained and passed on the burning flame of our Congregation over the past 180 years down to us.
• To thank God for the lives of Brs. Stephen Bangnabayi, Augustine Kubdaar  and Remy Nyokorong, for being good members of the brothers FIC fraternity over the past 25 years.

• To thank God for the life of Br. Mark Adamah, after 21 years of faithful and committed missionary work in Malawi.
• To pray for God’s travelling mercies for Br. Augustine Kubdaar, as he returns to the Netherland in early December, 2020.
• Last but not least, to thank God for his favour, love, mercies and support bestowed on us as a Province throughout this year, and also to ask for the same favour in the year 2021.

 In his homily, Very Rev. Fr. Pamphilio, exalted that God wants us to look holy like Christ; and our perseverance and steadfastness to holiness depends on our relationship with Christ, which Christ has already conferred on us: “abide in me and I will abide in you.” In reference to both reading of the day, he went ahead to say that it is not our own independent strength for holiness that make us holy, for we are weak to go on our own even for a moment.

After the Eucharist, our General Provincial Superior, Br Augustine Kubdaar, launched the new FIC logo in the Ghana Province. Following that, he particularly noted the logo is a symbol of Christ, a symbol of love and he thereby encourages every brother to endeavour to use it. The logo was then blessed by the main celebrant of the Eucharist, Fr. Pamphilio.

After the mass, we had supper, followed by the social evening in the forecourts of ISTC. This session was marked with various activities such as cultural drumming and dancing (Bewaa, Binne and Guolla).There was great fun and joy. In the mix of these agog activities/exercises, the Provincial Superior, on behave of the Provincial council, presented some gifts to the jubbilarians and Brs. Mark and Augustine. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the brothers for their cooperation over the year. Next to stand out on optional speak was our General Superior. He expressed his happiness to spend good time with his parents, and enjoyable moments with friends and FIC communities. He encouraged every brother to find happiness within himself. Bro. Mark had the opportunity to thank brothers for the warm welcome he received. He asked for our continuous prayerful support back home in Ghana. Other brothers equally had time to either make appreciation or give information to the brothers.

In summary, it was a celebration that that ended with joy and happiness.

Br Amatus Taalo (FIC).