Catholic Vocations Directors across Ghana converged at St. Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre in Tuba-Bortiano Hills, Accra, for the 44th Annual General Meeting.
The meeting scheduled from 15th – 19th February, 2024, focused on the mission of the church which is the salvation of souls and the formation of future leaders.
In his keynote address (Read on his behalf by Fr Edmund Neizer) during the opening ceremony, Very Rev. Fr. Hilary Agbenosi highlighted the crucial role of Vocations Directors within the context of the Synodal Church. He laid much accentuation on the importance of promoting vocations at all levels and utilizing various platforms, including social media to engage potential candidates for the priesthood and religious apostolate.
Fr. Agbenosi underscored the need for vocation directors to focus not only on skillset but also on mindset, nurturing traits such as integrity, adaptability, and empathy alongside job-specific abilities. He emphasised the integration of young people into the youth apostolate, recognizing their potentials to promote vocations among their peers.
Again, he encouraged Vocations Directors to actively involve seminarians and candidates for religious life in youth activities, preparing them for future ministry.
Among the distinguished guests present at the opening ceremony were His Lordship Bishop John Afoakwah, Bishop of Obuasi Diocese, and Episcopal Chair for Vocations and Seminaries.
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Chairman of the occasion gave special importance on the need for every baptised catholic to sacrifice for the growth of the church.
Lay faithful, Vocations Directors from various dioceses, and religious congregations across Ghana attended the event under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Mark Opoku Acheampong, President of Catholic Vocations Directors Association of Ghana (CAVDAG).
The meeting featured a range of activities, including orientation for new Vocations Directors, the election of new executive members for CAVDAG, and vocation promotion initiatives in local parishes.
Venerable members of the association also enjoyed an excursion to the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra, and engaged in indoor games, with an unexpected visit from His Grace, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra.
The 44th CAVDAG Annual General Meeting served as a platform for Vocations Directors to collaborate, share insights, and strategize on effectively nurturing vocations which is a gift to the church in Ghana. Thus, the duty of discharging vocations falls on all church members.
