African Ministry looks to 2018 to reach out and teach

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

The diocese’s African Ministry has declared 2018 a year for youth and children – to help them get to know Jesus – according to Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain.
Goals for the year also include outreach in Leominster, and strengthening leaders, marriages and other bonds, he said.
Father Kyeremateng, a priest of the Kumasi Archdiocese in Ghana, came to the United States for studies in 2015. Last May he received his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Assumption College. He is a therapeutic professional in substance abuse and addictions disorders.
But in July he was appointed African Ministry chaplain, which he calls a spiritual joy. He expressed gratitude for Bishop McManus having a heart for this ministry.
Father Kyeremateng too displays a heart for the African Ministry.
“How are we going to teach the young ones to see Jesus,” he asked during a recent interview with The Catholic Free Press. He said they’re the future Church leaders “so they need to know the faith; they need to know Jesus.”
The African Ministry has decided to focus on instilling faith and culture in young people, he said. Their theme is “Volumus Iesum Videre,” Latin for “We wish to see Jesus.” (Jn 12:21b)
Bishop McManus “was encouraging us, challenging us, to use our culture and our customs and language” to lead the youth to full understanding and appreciation of the faith and culture, Father Kyeremateng said.
So, he said, he challenged youth leaders to suggest spiritual, social and educational activities and the African Ministry executive board planned the following for 2018.
On Feb. 10 there is to be a Lenten retreat for ages 13 to 17.
On May 25 there is to be a spiritual movie night for ages 4 to 12 and 13 to 17.
On July 18 an outing to Six Flags amusement park in New Jersey is planned.
In August there is to be a back-to-school gathering at which young people will be given something spiritual, perhaps a Bible, “because it’s their year; we want to show them Jesus,” Father Kyeremateng said.
In November there is to be an Advent retreat and in December 2018 an end-of-the-year party.
 “We’re also going to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life,” Father Kyeremateng said.
And youth coordinators are finding out about diocesan activities.
“That is very, very important,” he said. “We don’t want our Africans to be left out.”
“For the children, the plan is to use the CCD classes,” to strengthen the classes by providing teachers with needed materials and encouraging them to participate in diocesan activities for teachers, he said.
Father Kyeremateng also wants to help those in other leadership positions, and “strengthen our family bond through marriage seminars.”     
“One of my visions is to strengthen the quality of our leaders through retreats, leadership seminars and workshops, to equip them with church doctrines and Scripture,” he said. “As a leader you should be able … to know and express your faith … because you are going to defend, to teach.” He referred to the Scripture: “If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” (Mt 15:14)
“Promoting solidarity, oneness and unity” among the African communities is another goal, he said, adding that that has been started through meetings and spiritual seminars.
In 2018 the African Ministry will have a retreat for leaders from all of the communities, he said.
Father Kyeremateng said he also plans to reach out to Africans in Leominster, where there is not an official African Catholic community. He said Father José A. Rodríguez, pastor of Holy Family of Nazareth Parish there, challenged him to do that, and offered his help.
“Definitely the challenge is there; it’s a need we have in the area,” Father Rodríguez said. “As one of the local priests I’m definitely willing to help in any way possible,” as other pastors would be. “Anything to spread the Gospel.”     
Africans in the diocese hail from several countries, and have formed four communities in parishes, said Father Kyeremateng, who lives at Immaculate Conception Parish rectory in Worcester. The communities are at St. Andrew the Apostle Mission, St. Joan of Arc Parish and St. Paul Cathedral, all in Worcester, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg
Father Kyeremateng is in the African Ministry’s office in the Chancery  from 10:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ministry is supported by Partners in Charity.
Father Kyeremateng said he speaks English and Twi and celebrates Mass for all these communities. He gets help from other African priests in or beyond the diocese and is also seeking to have the pastors celebrate Mass in English for their African parishioners “so that the bond will be there.”
And to establish a bond between the chief shepherd and his people, Bishop McManus is to celebrate Masses for St. Andrew’s and St. Anthony’s parishioners at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 21 at St. Andrew’s, and for St. Paul’s and St. Joan of Arc parishioners at 2 p.m. April 15 at St. Joan of Arc.
The African community serves the broader community by sponsoring a free medical program at St. Anne Parish, Shrewsbury.

Communities formed

Africans from several countries have formed
four communities in parishes
in the Diocese of Worcester.

 St. Andrew the Apostle Mission
People from about eight African countries worship at St. Andrew the Apostle Mission in Worcester, which is part of St. Peter Parish. Mass is at 11:30 a.m. each Sunday in English, and some Swahili.

    St. Joan of Arc Parish
The Ghanaian community is at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester and has Mass in Twi at 2 p.m. each Sunday.

    St. Paul Cathedral
The African community at St. Paul Cathedral in Worcester, representing about four countries, does not have a regular African Mass but members meet after the 10:15 a.m. Mass  the first Sunday of each month.

    St. Anthony of Padua Parish
About four African countries are represented at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg, where there is a Mass in Swahili and English at 1 p.m. the third Sunday of each month.