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TRUSTWORTHY
AFRICAN CATHOLICS UNITE TO CELEBRATE MASS
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, recently celebrated the Pan-African Annual Mass on at the St George's Catholic Church, Walthamstow, London. About 20 priests concelebrated the mass including 15 African priests from Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Ethiopia and Rwanda and five non-African priests including four permanent deacons. Seven African Community Choirs (Congo DR, Gambia, Ghana, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) together with the Holy Family Technology College Youth Band were in attendance
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor with ministers
after the programme
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In his inspiring homily Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor expressed his deep affection and concern for the people of Africa and urged the African Communities to feel welcome in the parishes to enable them to show their believe in Christ and participate in the parish life. He later spoke in French to the delight of the French - speaking African Communities who were present. The Cardinal was full of praise of the work of the African Chaplaincy, especially the joy of celebrating the Pan-African Mass. |
He thanked Rev Joseph
Baffour-Awuah, Chaplain and Director, for working so hard to bring the various African Communities together to practice the Catholic faith. This was received with a round of applause.
During the Mass, the African Community Leaders and the members of their various National Associations jointly re-affirmed their commitment to work together under the umbrella of the African Chaplaincy in Britain. They pledged their co-operations to work with the Clergy assigned to their communities and pleaded with the hierarchy for more support.
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Cardinal Cormac dedicated the new Chaplaincy cloth during the Mass. He blessed the cloth and prayed for all who will wear it. He thanked God for the variety of gifts and differences of personality that enrich the Church and asked the Communities to accept joyfully the service of those who lead them so that they may grow together in
love.
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Assisted by Fr. Athnasius Dzadagu (National Chaplain for the Zimbabwean Catholic Community), Cardinal Murphy O'Connor presented the Chaplaincy medals to ten winners. The medal award recognises and commends initiatives of proven outstanding,commitment and dedication to the Chaplaincy work. The ten recipients of the medal award were: Mrs Mary Ddungu (Uganda) for her contribution to African solidarity. Others are Mrs Sarah Ndebele (Zimbabwe), Mr Joseph Ayeboafo (Ghana), Mr Loius Marie(Mauritius), Ms Gertrude Nkhuwu (Zambia), Fr Gilly Dikambi (Congo DR), Fr Tesfa-michael (Eritrea), Uganda High Commission, Mr John Flanary, (Parishioner) Fr Denis Hall (Brentwood)
The following also received Chaplaincy trophies in recognition of their work: Mrs Beatrice Gyebi-Abebio (Chaplaincy Cloth Co-ordinator), and the Holy family Technology College Youth Band. Cardinal Murphy O'Connor was presented with a special Chaplaincy Trophy by Rev Joseph Baffour-Awuah, Chaplain and Director of the Chaplaincy.
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