The St. Michael Catholic Church in Peki-Adzokoe in the Diocese of Ho can now boast of a befitting place of residence for priests following the blessing and official opening of a new Presbytery by Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, on May 18.
The project was made possible through the generosity of donors, including friends of UK-based indigenous priest, Rev. Fr. Jerry A. Manomey, after a period of 7 years.
Delivering a homily preceding the blessing of the edifice, Bishop Fianu underscored the importance of cherishing and maintaining the newly acquired property, urging the church community to express gratitude to the benefactors and follow their example of generosity.
For his part, Fr. Jerry Manomey urged the community to see the structure as a symbol of unity between the Peki-Adzokoe old and new towns. He expressed appreciation to individuals who made it possible for the project to come to fruition.
The priest also issued a heartfelt appeal for continued support for the construction of a new church building. He highlighted the pressing need to replace the current mud structure, which struggles to accommodate fifty individuals.
State of the St. Micheal Catholic Church, Peki-AdzokoeStressing the importance of providing a suitable place of worship, he emphasized that the establishment of the presbytery was a crucial step towards realizing this goal and fostering the church’s expansion.
The new Presbytery owes its existence to the benevolence of several individuals and families from the Diocese of Northampton, UK.
Among them are Mr. Andrew Dexter and Mrs. Julie Dexter, the family of the Sacred Heart Parish in Weston Favell, Mrs. Klara Eves and her family from the Sacred Heart Parish in Flitwick, and Mrs. Pat Nutt and her family from the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish in Great Billing.
The edifice is erected in memory of Rev. Fr. Edward Charles Ametefe, a pioneer priest to have worked in Peki-Adzokoe and its environs.
Beloved, let us love one another, because... love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.
Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
Psalms 34(33),2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9.10-11.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his... praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11,19-27.
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary... to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise."
Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day."
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."
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