Retreat for Ghanaian Catholics ends in Massachusetts.

The first convention/retreat of the Ghanaian Catholic Apostolate laity Council of New York, New Jersey and New England has been held in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a call on Christians to eschew hatred and live in peace.

Rev Fr Paul Baffour-Awuah, chaplain of the Council, who made the call, said it was also important that people avoid putting unnecessary pressure on themselves as that can "undermine our health , leading to heart problems, high blood pressure and brain damage".

The convention, held at the St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, was under the theme "You are the salt of the earth and the light of the World.

It was attended by over 450 delegates from six out of the seven apostolates in the Tri-State area. They are St Mary’s , Newark, New Jersey, St Catherine of Genoa, Brooklyn, New York, St Benedict the Moor, Queens, New York, Christ the King and St Margaret Mary, Bronx, New York and St Peter’s Catholic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Delegates from the St Mary’s Catholic Church, East Hartford, Connecticut, could not make it to the convention.

Continuing, Rev. Fr. Baffour-Awuah said "Hatred shatters relationships, leading people who once loved each other into bitterness, violence and even murder".

Using biblical quotations to further illustrate his point, Baffour-Awuah justified how " hatred can stir up disputes, and how love extinguishes them ".

Against this backdrop, he called for strict adherence to religious life , explaining that it can impact social, spiritual and the cultural development of any society.

"Peace without tolerance leads to conflicts, so fill your minds with things that are good and deserve praise, things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable", Baffour-Awuah told the gathering.

Anthony Boadu, chairman of the Laity Council, said the convention/retreat will be an annual ritual that would afford members a platform to pray and share their faith in the glory of God and humanity.

He advised Ghanaian Catholics in the United States who are not practicing their faith to join apostolates in their communities as part of efforts to promote vibrant catholic ideals.

Rev Fr Andreas Rodriguez, host of the convention and Parish Priest of St Bernard’s Church in Worcester, advised the congregation to adhere to strong Catholic faith.

"Do not to be swayed by "earthly adventures" in the United States", he added.

Referring to the retreat, Fr Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican, said " most times when people gather like this, it is for either a funeral or social activities", adding that, "today I am happy because I have seen a number of people coming together to worship and share their faith".

Nicholas Obeng, President, Ghanaian Catholic Community , Worcester, said the Catholic Laity Council in the United States is making history in the area of spiritual and social development.

Through fund-raising activities, Obeng said the Council has been able to extend financial support to the Ghana Catholic University in Fiapre, Sunyani.

He said the Council also raised about six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) to support families of catholic choristers who perished in car accident at Abuakwa in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Rev Fr Justin Mensah, main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration offered special prayers for citizens of Ghana and the United States.

Present at the retreat/convention were Rev Frs Anthony Kyere-Mensah, Robert Afful , Charles Oppong, as well as Rev Fr. Anthony Mpagi, a Ugandan, who is also the first African to be ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Worcester.

-Written by Paul Awortwi-Mensah, former journalist, Daily Graphic Newspaper, Accra, Ghana. Awortwi-Mensah is a student at Worcester State University, Worcester, Massachusetts.