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.
A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a... teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to them, "Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.
Psalms 27(26),1.4.13-14.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom... should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
One thing I ask of the LORD
this I seek:
to dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
that I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
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