The Advent, a season of hope and anticipation, in which we prepare ourselves
into the festive period of Christmas, is with us here again and it is an opportune
time for me to wish you all good tidings of the Yuletide and also to reflect on all the
volumes of water that has gone under the bridge during the year. First and foremost
let us give sincere thanks and gratitude to our Maker for having seen us thus far in
whatever situations we find ourselves.
In the moment of our merriment during these periods of the Advent and the
consequent Christmas, let us all continue to bear in mind and in our prayers our
Brothers and Sisters in Liberia and Sierra Leone in their precarious predicament
of the scourge of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease. I entreat you all Brothers to
endeavour to make some more contributions to them. The amount, previously
contributed by Constituent Councils and Courts, has been sent to them. It has been
acknowledged with gratitude and appreciation by the respective Archbishops/Bishops
of Liberia and Sierra Leone. However, like Oliver Twist, more contributions will be
very much appreciated.
It is incumbent on us all to ensure that we understand whatever we do and should be
done during our Meetings inside and outside our Chambers, guided by the tenets of
the Noble Order embodied into the Strategic Plan of the Noble Order. By so doing we
will enhance the image of our cherished Noble Order of Knights of Marshall imbued
with the spirit of unity, charity and fraternity.
On the home front, let us heed the advice in the Communiqué released by the Ghana
Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) held recently in Accra, that as Christians we
should remain strong and committed to “The Family as Subject of Evangelisation”.
Parents are indispensable in sharing the faith with their children and assist them
to make the appropriate choices at different stages of their lives. We should also
continue to observe all health safety precautions and abide by the instructions issued
on the Ebola Disease just last August by the GCBC. On cholera, we are urged to
continue with the observance of hygienic conditions and adhere to the Ministry of
Health directives to completely deal with it and prevent its recurrence. In healthy and
sound bodies we shall have healthy and sound minds to tackle all political and socio-
economic problems confronting us as Marshallans.
Christmas is a period of sharing the peace brought by our Lord Jesus Christ with our
fellow human beings on this earth where we are all pilgrims. We pilgrimize to know
our Maker, love Him and serve Him, keep and share the faith with each other so that
in the end we can give a good account of our stewardship that qualifies us into the
Kingdom He has prepared for us.
It is my prayer that this December month of Christmas may bring many opportunities
to your way, to attain every happiness and success of life. May your estimations and
intentions for the days ahead stay firm, turning all your dreams into realities and all
your efforts into great achievements.
Wishing you and your family a Blessed and Peaceful Christmas and may the Year 2015 be
a Prosperous Year. May it be well with us ALL.
Sir Kt. Bro. Joseph Ekow Paintsil
Supreme Knight