African Ministry looks ahead to new year

By Tanya Connor
 The Catholic Free Press

The diocesan African Ministry is to focus on the Eucharist and unity in preparation for celebrations of the ministry’s 25th anniversary, which culminate in June 2025, according to Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain.
He said the theme for 2024 is: “We, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” (1 Cor 10:17). Again this year, a connection is being made to the National Eucharistic Revival which the U.S. Catholic Church concludes this year.
“We are looking at how all of us as Africans will come together, and to make this [25th anniversary] remarkable,” Father Kyeremateng said. He said the present community started at St. Peter Parish in Worcester when Father Emmanuel Ogundle came from Nigeria to serve Africans from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon and Burundi, and now there are Africans from 14 countries.
“Though many, coming from different African countries, [we are] one in body ... faith ... continent ... and diocese,” Father Kyeremateng said. “So, we are looking at that oneness, and how to continue [it] after the silver jubilee.”
The African Ministry he leads has communities at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg, and, in Worcester, at St. Andrew the Apostle Mission, St. Joan of Arc Parish and St. Paul Cathedral.
Some members of the cathedral community have not returned there since the coronavirus pandemic, Father Kyeremateng said.
“There are plans to revive it” by visiting members in their homes and bringing them together, he said.
An “African Union Day,” for all four communities, is to be celebrated June 23 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg, Father Kyeremateng said. It is to include a Mass involving African traditions, a eucharistic procession through the streets and a cookout.
“The Eucharist is what makes us who we are as Catholics,” the chaplain explained.
Father Kyeremateng said the African choirs of St. Andrew’s and St. Joan of Arc hope to restart a ministry that was stopped during the pandemic: singing at Masses at parishes that don’t have an African community.
“It’s all part of oneness ... with the diocese, and also making known our activities, our 25th anniversary,” he explained. “The most important thing is promoting that oneness as Catholics. ... We owe a lot to the diocese. ... They accept us. ... We are very grateful. We appreciate all that the bishop has done for us, and also Msgr. [Richard F.] Reidy,” vicar general. Both celebrate special Masses for the African communities.
“We would like to thank Partners in Charity,” which provides funding that helps the Africans enhance their expressions of faith and support of people in need, Father Kyeremateng added.
He also explained other plans.
“We are beginning our year with the [annual] leaders’ retreat” March 23 at St. Andrew’s, he said. “You have to be strengthened by the Spirit” to do what God wants you to do for yourself and others.
Leaders will promote togetherness among college students, youth, and adults, Father Kyeremateng said.
College students “are our targets for this year ... because they face many challenges in their schools,” he said. He said 98 percent of them live on campus, away from parental guidance. Some colleges do not have Mass “so it’s difficult for them to practice their Catholic faith,” and they’re affected by harmful peer influences.
He said the African Ministry is preparing to instruct them in Church teaching about the life and dignity of the human person; the call to family, community and participation; and LGBTQ issues.
Culturally in Africa, like in Catholic teaching, abortion is evil, he said, highlighting one life issue.
“Almost 95 percent of [the college students] were born here in the Worcester Diocese,” he said, addressing the second topic. “They find it difficult to accept typical African family values,” including respect for elders.
But he said, “Culture is what makes you who you are.” He said people need to know their family background in order to participate in the community, not throwing away their culture but integrating it with American society today.
The LGBTQ topic was chosen in response to students’ questions, Father Kyeremateng said.
“We want our college students to know the truth,” he explained. “God made things according to his own plan and design ... and anything meant to change the plan of God is evil.”
These issues are to be addressed at activities for all the African college students: a “homecoming summit” in June and a “back-to-school seminar and cookout” in August.
At the summit “we welcome them back home, they share their experiences,” hear talks, and have discussions, he said.
The seminar is to include advice such as studying hard and making prayer essential.
Leaders of the individual African communities are also to include their college student parishioners in community life, and plan activities for them, Father Kyeremateng said.
 He said parents will be advised to encourage their college-aged children to participate in Mass and other church activities, not use their jobs as an excuse for staying away.
For youth ages 8-17, a trivia and game night is planned for June 8 at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Father Kyeremateng said.
“This is to bring all the youth and the children together,” he said.
Oct. 20-30, Father Kyeremateng and Father Walter J. Riley, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Shrewsbury, are to lead a pilgrimage to Italy.
“It’s part of ... marking our 25th anniversary” of the African community, Father Kyeremateng said.
In December, there is to be a choral service and dinner awards night honoring people who have contributed to the African community throughout its history, he said.
In April 2025 Father Kyeremateng is hoping to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as part of the anniversary celebration.
Planned for the climax of the anniversary celebrations is a June 2025 Mass with Bishop McManus at St. Peter Parish, Father Kyeremateng said, explaining, “Going back to our roots is very significant to us.”