Ghanaian Catholic Conference highlights Mary, Eucharist

By Tanya Connor
The Catholic Free Press

The Eucharist and the Blessed Mother were highlighted at a Ghanaian gathering in Worcester last weekend.
The 16th annual Ghanaian Catholic Laity Convention, held Aug. 11-13 at the DCU Center, drew about 826 people, said Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain of the Worcester Diocese’s African Ministry and administrator of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester.
“History was made, never having had a bishop celebrate our Mass” at a convention, he said; people were excited.
Father Kyeremateng said this year’s theme was, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14), because the U.S. Catholic Church is observing the National Eucharistic Revival.  
Bishop McManus addressed the theme in his homily at Saturday’s Mass, which celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“I so much respect him … for his presence and spiritual guidance, not just here, (but) any time he’s around us,” said Raymond Ansong, of St. Joan of Arc.
Convention speakers were exceptional and people “shared their testimonies of God’s healing, God’s blessings and the renewal of the Spirit,” Father Kyeremateng said. “They can’t wait for next year,” when the convention is to be held in East Hartford, Connecticut. The first national convention, bringing together people from regional conventions, is slated for 2025 in Ohio, he said.
The last time the convention was held in Worcester was 2016, said Ambrose Amoakoh, of St. Mary Parish in Newark, New Jersey, president of the Laity Council of New Jersey, New York and New England, which puts on this region’s convention. Some of the eight participating communities in four states take turns hosting it, he said.
As Worcester hosted it this year, Bishop McManus preached about the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. He said that, through priests’ ministry and the Holy Spirit’s work, bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ; the Word has again taken on flesh. Jesus dwells among us in every tabernacle.
After speaking about Mary’s Assumption into heaven, the bishop said that if we follow Christ in communion with the Church, we will follow Mary. He asked how we find the way to heaven, then noted that Jesus said he is the living bread and he will raise up on the last day those who eat his flesh and drink his blood.
Bishop McManus told of a poll which found that one out of every three Catholics believe in Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. When a Catholic stops going to Mass, he commits a mortal sin, the bishop added; one cannot live the demands of Catholic life without the Eucharist.
But he praised the faith of local Ghanaians, in whom he has seen a vibrancy.
He asked Saturday’s congregation to look at Jesus at the elevation of the Blessed Sacrament at Mass and say: “My Lord, and my God. I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Mary Boadu, of St. Luke Parish in Bronx, New York, said she liked this simple, practical suggestion.  
“Having the bishop – that was a big deal,” she said. She said Saturday’s Mass was also special because of the crowning of Mary.
After Communion Father Frederick Agyeman, parochial vicar and chaplain of the Ghanaian community at her parish, spoke about the Blessed Mother.
“In a Catholic Church we honor Mary, but we don’t worship Mary,” he said. He said we honor her because of her ‘yes’ to God, and recounted events in her life.
“She kept holding onto the Lord,” Father Agyeman said. “She never gave up. … She will see you through the thick and thin. … There is power in Mary’s crown. … On this great feast I’d like you to claim the power of the crown.” He spoke of Mary interceding for us, and our sorrows turning into joy.
Women then carried a statue of Mary in procession as the congregation expressed reverence and excitement. Then the statue was crowned.
“Our Mother Mary is always the center of our discussion … She’s ready to … offer the assistance that you need,” Deacon Anthony J. Xatse, a Ghanaian serving at St. Paul Cathedral, told The Catholic Free Press.
“We try to foster the faith” in each age group, he said; the convention has sessions for children, teenagers and adults. “You meet people you haven’t seen in a long time. You make new friends. You share ideas.”
Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty shared ideas at the end of Mass, beginning with the Africans’ saying, “God is good, all the time.” He spoke of Worcester welcoming people and said a future mayor will be from Ghana.
“This is your city; this is your country,” he told the Ghanaians. “Shame on the people that disrespect the immigrant community.”
Theresa Cobbina, of St. Luke’s in Bronx, rejoiced at gathering with other Ghanaians at the convention.
“This is my first time and I’m so glad that I was here,” she said. “It really built my relationship with God.” It helped her understand more about the faith, she liked meeting people, and she hopes to keep attending the conventions, she said.
Her daughter Ashley Cobbina, 15, said the best part was, “We won.” In a donation competition St. Luke’s took the trophy from St. Joan of Arc, last year’s winner. The Ghanaians had danced jubilantly, holding aloft the trophy and a pocketbook-like bag.
They also danced while bringing money forward for the collection at Mass, in groups of women, men and youth. Priests danced with young people in front of the altar.
Comfort Amoako Yeboah (“Auntie Ama”), of St. Isaac Jogues Church in East Hartford, Connecticut, said she likes how the collection is done and finds the convention, which she attends annually, “very touching.”
“It’s a fun, spiritual event,” said Helina Morrison, whose husband, Deacon Samuel A. Morrison, serves at St. Joan of Arc. She said she learned, “Each time we eat the Body of Christ it’s the same as Mary’s ‘yes,’ because we have Christ in us. We’re light bearers. Wherever we go we need to shine that light.”