African communities offer support for diocese

By Tanya Connor  
The Catholic Free Press

In a lively Mass exuding support for the diocese and its shepherd, the African Ministry launched its participation in the Legacy of Hope capital campaign and celebrated Bishop McManus’ 15th anniversary as Bishop of Worcester.
The bishop, in turn, expressed his affection for the Africans.
The celebration Sunday afternoon at St. Paul Cathedral was the African Ministry’s Mass with the bishop.
Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain, said the bishop also visits the individual African communities at their recpective parishes.
Sunday’s Mass drew more than 300 people from the African communities at St. Paul, St. Peter-St. Andrew and St. Joan of Arc parishes in Worcester and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg, Father Kyeremateng said.
Worshippers contributed $8,771 in gifts and pledges to the capital campaign, Father Kyeremateng said. They also gave Bishop McManus a citation, and a cake decorated with his coat of arms and a map of Africa.
The citation for the bishop, read by African Ministry secretary Esther Boama-Nyarko, highlighted the bishop’s “love for immigrant and non-immigrant Africans … spiritual guidance and support for the African Catholic Ministry … humble and faithful service for the salvation of all people.” It thanked him for his example.
“On this joyous month, marking the 15th anniversary of your successful shepherding role in the Diocese of Worcester, we unite with you in heart and spirit to offer fitting gratitude to God for having blessed us with so much, through your kind instrumentality and for making you the dedicated shepherd you are, who understands where his heart should be and where to invest his treasure,” the citation continued.
The citation expressed wishes for the bishop’s good health and long life.
Bishop McManus told the congregation that when he came here 15 years ago he could never have imagined this African ministry. His voice on the verge of breaking, he told them these are not easy days in the Church and they have been a great support to him.  
“You hold a very special place in my heart,” he said, asking them to pray for him daily, as he prays for them. “God bless you,” he said. “I love you.”
“We, the Africans in your Diocese, acknowledge the special affection you show us,” Anthony Adade, chairman of the board of trustees of the African Catholic Ministry, told the bishop in the Legacy of Hope launch address. “Be assured of our prayers and support in whatever means.”
That included a promise to support the capital campaign – an “evangelical crusade” to build up the Church – through prayer and contributions at the parish level and as the African Ministry.
“We took the initiative” to raise $40,000 ($10,000 a year) for Legacy of Hope as the diocesan African community, Father Kyeremateng told The Catholic Free Press. He said the Africans are also encouraged to give in their parishes, and some already have.
They began raising the $40,000 Sunday with a second collection. Donors went forward according to the month they were born. As they did so, they received rosaries, which Father Kyeremateng said were given to him from the Mia Rosary-Making Program in Fitchburg. He said the Africans are asked to pray the rosary for the success of the capital campaign.
After the collection, Father Kyeremateng challenged listeners to contribute more – in gifts or pledges of $100 or $200 – and some came forward.
“God will bless you abundantly,” he pressed further. “I’m still waiting. …”
“We do that often, whenever they are raising funds to support a project,” he told The Catholic Free Press.
Michael Messano, executive director of the Legacy of Hope campaign, spoke briefly to the congregation, praising their worship and people’s support of the campaign, which he said had surpassed $4 million, of its $32 million goal.
The multi-lingual Mass included much color and movement, with youth participating like adults. Members of the Singing Stars children’s choir, clad in native dress, led the entrance procession with dancing. They did the post-Communion dance, singing “We wish to see Jesus” from their new album.
Father Kyeremateng began his homily saying he would reflect on the theme, “Your new life.”
“Somebody say, ‘Your new life,’” he called out. He repeated the second reading from the Book of Revelation, which had been read in Twi, about a new heaven and earth and applied it to the present and future.
“Probably you are sowing in tears,” he said, speaking of rejection people experience ... “in the future your soul will be joyful.” He told them the “capable God” can change things in their lives; they only have to remain faithful.
“We should encourage one another,” he said, noting that the African communities are now celebrating the Year of the Family, with the theme, “That they may be one” (Jn 17:21). “We can be one if we stand for one another, when we begin to accept one another.”

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