Berekum, Ghana. On Saturday, September 24 to Sunday, September 26, 2021, the second national youth convention was held at St. John’s parish of Jamdede – Berekum in the Sunyani Diocese of Ghana. The Claretian Youth from their various parishes gathered in their numbers to participate in the convention. This year’s convention was the second of its kind in Ghana since 2014 when the first was organized. The 2021 convention had as its theme “Rescuing the Perishing; Catholic Youth Being the Salt and Light of the World” (Matthew 5:13-16) and was attended by 275 young persons from the following parishes and rectorate: St. John Parish Jamdede (Host Parish), St. Augustine Rectorate Jinijini, St. Joseph Parish Bomaa, St. Lawrence Parish Akropong and Queen of Peace Parish Buipe.
Arrival was at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23 and all the participating parishes arrived and stayed at the Claretian College building in Amankokwaa, on the outskirts of Jamdede. After settling down supper was served, and then followed an adoration of the Blessed Sacrament session which was anchored and led by the various Claretian Youth Chaplains in Ghana mission. At 9:30 p.m. participants left for their various dormitories to rest.
There was keynote address delivered by Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Asiegbu, CMF the parish priest of St. John’s Parish Jamdede and Coordinator of the Ghana Mission who welcomed all while extending the warm welcome from the Bishop of Sunyani Diocese and the kind regards from the Provincial Superior of Claretian Missionaries Province of East Nigeria. Fr. Cyriacus further admonished the youth not to hide their talents but rather let it shine positively for the common good. It was a great moment of bringing the youth closer to know them and for them to know the Claretians better as we journey with them and help them to discern the call of Christ to follow Him.
A talk on the theme for the convention was delivered by Rev Fr. Marcellinus Njeze, CMF who hinge on the indices of Christians saltiness and lightness to the world namely, life of contradiction, life of opposition and correction, life of total dependence on God, life of selfless service, life of direction and focus and finally life of the beatitudes.
Subsequently three candidates from each parish sat for the quiz competition which was centered on the Bible (Acts and Genesis), Church doctrines (Catechesis), the life of St. Anthony Mary Claret and General Knowledge. The quiz contest was steered by the Claretian Youth Coordinator for the Ghana Mission Rev. Fr. Leka-ire A. B. Henry Mario, CMF and it was won by the only rectorate amongst the parishes St. Augustine’s Rectorate Jinijini. There were also other side attatraction which included indoor and outdoor games which were not competitive, like oware, dame, ludo, playing of cards football and volleyball. The youth also had a social night which a had a display of various cultures, drama, music, and dance. There was also an election to choose national leaders who would work in collaboration with the Youth and Vocation team for the next three years.
On Sunday, September 26th, the Closing and Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated after which the Youth council members were inaugurated. In all it was a nice experience for the participants as it showed on their faces. Thanks to God for the successful outing. God Bless the Claretian Missionaries, God bless the Claretian Youth Ministry Ghana Mission.
Compiled by: Rev. Fr. Leka-ire A. B. Henry Mario, CMF
Claretian Youth Coordinator Ghana Mission
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