Message by the Supreme Knight, Sir Kt. Bro. Joseph Ekow Paintsil and Grand Lady MRL Sis. Margaret Yirenkyi
Past Supreme Knights,
Most Respected Ladies,
Worthy Brothers,
Respected Ladies,
Regional Grand Knight & Regional Noble Lady,
Grand Knights & Noble Ladies,
Brothers and Sisters,
Distinguished Guests,
Media Houses Here Present,
All Other Protocol Observed.
We have met here today, true to the Marshallan spirit of unity and fraternity, to participate in this year’s Regional Conference.
Your impressive and smart turn-out is an indication of your desire to be part of the continuing process to move the Noble Order on to a higher pedestal.
High officers, Brothers and Sisters, the theme of this year’s conference – Living Our Faith as Marshallans in a Challenging World – should be a constant reminder for us to continue to serve as true soldiers of Christ so as to hasten the evangelization process.
In a world of today beclouded by mundane and ideological differences, it is only fair that we should explore new ways of refreshing and consolidating our cherished faith as good Christians and Catholics at that. For faith is an excitement and enthusiasm; it is a condition of intellectual magnificence to which we cling as a treasure.
Living our faith as Marshallans is a Christian obligation which should constantly see us as true friends ofOur Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Underpinning our effort is the need to make prayer the centre-piece of our lives as vividly expressed in various verses in the Bible.
One of the core objectives of our 13 Founding Fathers is centered on the need to develop the spirituality of members. Thus, over the years conscious efforts were made by the hierarchy of the Noble Order towards the attainment of this goal.
To us in the Noble Order the development of our spirituality is not negotiable; it is an obligation every Marshallan must work towards if we are to be battle ready for the new Evangelization process.
As indicated in our maiden addresses as Supreme Knight and Grand Lady, there is the need for Councils and Courts to encourage more spiritual activities such as Retreats, Bible studies, Spiritual Seminars and Talks.
We consequently commend all Councils and Courts for initiating actions towards the enhancement and development of the spirituality of members.
However, in all these activities, we advocate for allotment of sufficient time during Councils/Courts meetings and at various venues for such spiritual events. We also expect that Marshallans who propose candidates for initiation should continue to serve as spiritual shepherds of those initiated into the Noble Order.
High Officers, Brothers and Sisters, in living by our faith and allowing full and complete control by Christ, we shall have the great joy of seeing the power of sin subdued.
In all our endeavours, , we should be guided by what our Spiritual Director, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, said at the 8th Marshallan Re-Union Conference held in Kumasi in August last year.
“We must try to improve ourselves by reading books that seek to explain the scriptures, our Catholic faith so as to be up-to-date with the teachings of the Church”
As Marshallans, we would need to continue to live by the tenets of our cherished Noble Order espoused on unity, charity, fraternity and service; reliving our Baptismal promises and supporting the Church in the new Evangelization process and the defense and promotion of the Catholic faith at all times.
High officers, Brothers and Sisters, as you are aware the process towards the commencement of work on the Marshallan Business Complex and Grand Court Secretariat has commenced. The Supreme Council and Grand Court are encouraged by the enthusiasm, and pledges of material and financial support for the take-off of these projects.
Our expectation is that the espirit de corps which galvanized members to rally round the leadership in times past would be brought to bear on these projects.
It is relevant at this point to refer to the Easter message of the Holy Father Pope Francis on aspect of our faith on the Risen Christ.
“This event is the basis of our faith and our hope. If Christ were not raised, Christianity would lose its meaning: the whole mission of the Church would lose its impulse, for this is the point from which it first set out and continue to set our ever anew. The message which Christians bring to the world is this: Jesus, Love incarnate, died on the cross for our sins, but God the Father raised Him and made Him the Lord of life and death. In Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death.”
High officers, Brothers and Sisters, we wish you a successful Conference and pray that in all your ways, you will continue to acknowledge Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ so as to make our paths straight (Proverbs 3: 6).
Thank You And God Bless Us All