THE Parish Priest of the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Dansoman-Accra, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ofori, SVD, has urged Marshallans to pay a little more attention to conditions of their members instead of always seeking to help other individuals and institutions.
He emphasized that the adage that ‘Charity Must Begin from Home’ needs to be observed by the Knights and Ladies of Marshall and other societies in the Church.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Ofori said this during Mass held by the Accra West Regional Council and Court as part of activities marking the 2015 Marshallan Day held at the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Dansoman-Accra on Sunday, May 10, 2015.
Attendance at Mass
The Mass was attended by over 800 brothers and sisters from component Councils and Courts in the Accra West region, namely Council No. 48/Court No. 40 (Accra West), Council No. 71/Court No. 63 (Dansoman), Council No. 74/Court No. 67 (Accra Central), Council No. 108/Court No. 103 (Pokuase-Ga West) and Council No. 109/Court No. 105 (New Aplaku).
Also in attendance were junior brothers and sisters from 23J-Mother Most Pure (Accra West), 42J-Splendour of Grace (Accra Central), 43J-Our Lady of Lourdes (Dansoman) and 75 J-Queen of Patriachs (Pokuase-Ga West)
Forming-Up for Mass
Brothers and sisters from the participating councils formed-up on the compound of the St. Margaret Mary Senior High School from where they marched to the front of the St. Margaret Mary Church. A guard of honour mounted by guards and sentries from the participating councils and courts was inspected by Rev. Fr. Patrick Ofori with the support of W/Bro. Peter Kofi Wireko, Regional Grand Knight, and RL Sis. Veronica Ayikwei-Kofie, Acting Regional Noble Lady.
Readings and Homily
The first reading of the day was taken from Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48, the second reading from John 4:7-10 and the Gospel reading from John 15:9-17. In a homily which focused on the Gospel reading, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ofori asked congregants to show compassion, avoid doing evil and most importantly live in peace and harmony with their neighbours. Rev. Fr. Ofori said, “Anybody who does anything evil to his or her neighbour cannot say he loves that neigbour”. He also added ‘to fail to show compassion to others means you do not love them’.
Short Sketch On Sir James Marshall by 43J
A short play by members of 43J revealed that Sir James Marshall converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism because of his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. On his arrival in the then Gold Coast he noticed the lack of priests to administer the body and blood of Christ. He therefore wrote several letters to Rome and in British papers pleading for priests to come to the Gold Coast.
Through his persistent efforts, Pope Leo sent Rev. Frs. Auguste Moreau and Eugene Murat, SMA priests from Lyons in France, to the Gold Coast in 1880 to re-establish the Catholic Church that had lapsed for over 500 years. Through the effort of the three, the Catholic Church has grown throughout our country which now has 24 dioceses and 1 Prefecture. The sketch ended with a fervent prayer to God to reward his Sir James Marshall with sainthood status;
Address by Regional Grand Knight
The Regional Grand Knight, W/Bro. Peter Kofi Wireko, in an address pointed out that the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, aims at bringing Catholic men and women together in the practice of unity, charity and service.
The history of the society dates to 1925 when some young men of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sekondi rallied together to form a society for the purpose of bringing together Catholic men for effective lay apostolate and action. The name Marshall was given to the society to immortalize the name of Sir James Marshall; who played a significant role in enhancing the growth of the Catholic Church in Ghana and West Africa.
Today the society can be found in Ghana, Togo, Benin, London (in the United Kingdom) and hopefully in the not too distinct future in the Ivory Coast.
The RGK ended his address by urging parishioner of the Saint Margaret Mary Church to join the Noble Order to help in the work of evangelization.
After the address by the RGK brothers and sisters joined in singing the popular Marshallan song, “Arise, Arise, O Marshallans” composed by Sir. Kt. Bro. Paul K. Anane of Council No. 10 (Accra). The Acting Regional Noble Lady on behalf of the Regional Council/Court donated GH¢1,500 to the Church to help in its construction works. Mr. Kweku Enos, the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, who received the donation thanked the Noble Order for its generosity.
Recess and Refreshment
After Mass, brothers and sisters marched back to the compound of St. Margaret Mary Senior High School where they were address by the RGK and RNL. The two thanked brothers and sisters for the massive turn out. The Regional Council/Court later refreshed the juniors, higher officers and regional council/court office bearers.
Report by Bro. Kojo T.Vieta, PGA/RADV