Catholic diocese of Obuasi locates a grotto at Abono

Abono (Ash), Aug. 23, GNA - The Obuasi diocese of the Catholic Church has earmarked a portion of the Bosomtwe Lake landscape as a prayer centre.

Christened "Our Lady of the Lake Grotto", the beautiful and serene cave located at Abono, a lake resort town in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District of Ashanti, will serve as a retreat and prayer centre for both Catholics and non-Catholics. The Most Rev Thomas Kwaku Mensah, the Diocesan Bishop, announced this at a ceremony to climax this year's weeklong feast celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary held at Abono at the weekend. The occasion held under the theme, "Mary Our Mentor to the Kingdom", was attended by over 600 Catholic faithful within and outside the diocese.

Preaching a sermon on the theme, Bishop Mensah called on Catholics to emulate the Virgin Mary, whose immaculate life earned her favour from God to be chosen as the Mother of the Saviour of the world. He said Christians must demonstrate that, they were really the light and salt of the world as the Holy Bible enjoined them, adding, "This will attract more people to the faith". Rev. Father James Owusu, priest in-charge of the Kuntanase Parish, earlier in a welcome address, said the event was held annually to honour the Virgin Mary for the glorious role she played to bring forth the Saviour of the world.

He said the site for the grotto was chosen following the revelation of an apparition of the Virgin Mary, wearing a crown of light, which was spotted on the lake 21 years ago by Rev. Father Theresa Paul Amoako, then of the Kuntanase Parish.

Nana Otuo Antwi-Boasiako, Chief of Abono, expressed gratitude to the church for establishing the prayer centre at Abono and pledged the support of the traditional council.