Days after the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference announced that all Catholic churches across the country adhere to the directives from the president of the Republic in a bid to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, many Masses has been said online.
One of such masses was celebrated on Sunday, March 22, (4th Sunday of lent) and presided over by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, at the Eucharistic Chapel of Holy Spirit Cathedral.
The mass was live on Radio Angelus (radioangelus.com) and Crystal TV and joined by over 16 thousand faithfuls across the globe.
Speaking in his homily, the Archbishop acknowledged that , we are living in abnormal times due to the Coronavirus pandemic but added that, God will see us through.
Here is a summary of the day’s homily by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, and his pastoral letter to the lay faithfuls.
- These days are abnormal due to the Pandemic but God will see us through
- Joel 2:12, we must reflect on it and know that it summarises the whole exercise of Lent.
- We must turn to God. We need to search ourselves and make a turn to God and walk in His Holiness and Righteousness for our Christian duties.
- We need to do more especially for our Brothers and sisters.
- We need to care for others.
What we need to know about Lent
1. Lent is a campaign for our Christian duties. We need to do more especially for our Brothers and sisters. We need to care for others.
2. A time to battle Spiritual evils (Sin), like Pride, wickedness, Jealousy and the likes
SUMMARY OF HIS MESSAGE TO THE LAY FAITHFUL
- The Bishops, Priests and all the religious are with us in this difficult moment and we are assured of their prayers. We need to join the Virtual Masses on Television and all social media platforms that are been circulated to stay connected to God and the activities of the Church. (stations of the Cross, e.t.c)
- Our duties as a Family (Smaller Church). We must adhere to all the precaution measures put in place by Health practitioners and the government. We need to pray together and support each other as a Family for ”A family that prays together, stays together”
- In these not ordinary times. Mass intentions are not going to be said for individuals but rather we are all praying together and thus, no monies should be collected during these times.
- The Lenten season offers an opportunity “to return to the Lord with all your heart”(Joel 2:12). Unfortunately, the panic caused by Coronavirus has afforded others the opportunity to exploit their suffering neighbours. Life is getting more difficult. The prices of goods and services are soaring. People who take advantage of their suffering brothers and sisters lack mercy. They inflict pain on others by exacting more from them in the market place. Market women and shop keepers say to themselves, “it is our time to make more money on the suffering masses”. This is not Christian. Let us not take advantage of the needy and suffering.
He concluded by saying,
- This period is to build the bond of families
- This period is to draw us closer to God.
- We need to Pray the Divine Mercy prayers and other devotional prayers to help us spiritually.
- Observe Social distance and keep Personal Hygiene.
God bless us everyone and keep us safe in Jesus Name Amen
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Source: Theresa Akomah
