Divine Mercy marks 15 years

Birthed on an ordinary Sunday 15 years ago at a maiden Eucharistic Mass celebration, officiated by Reverend Father Eugenio Petrogalli, (Comboni Missionary), the Divine Mercy Catholic Church began a journey, which a decade and a half later, has unknowingly made history.

The church started with just eleven congregants on Sunday, August 28, 2005, under a ‘pito’ shed at Shiashie – East Legon, Accra, before moving to its current location at Okponglo, East Legon.

As it marked its 15th anniversary on Sunday, August 29, 2020, hundreds of church members participated in two different masses, in line with COVID-19 protocols to commemorate the day.

The Priest-in-charge, the Rev. Fr Francis Destiny Amenuvor, acknowledged all who had sacrificed to grow the church.

“I pray that God will reward all your sacrifices. I pray that the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Okponglo East Legon, will continue to be united,” he said.

The church building project

Achievements

The Divine Mercy Church has gained the status of Rectorate by the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie.

It has a membership of about 600 and has over the years seen growth with the introduction of programmes such as the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every first Sunday of the month; a teaching session dubbed Drink Deep every other Tuesday; a half-night prayer session, Mercy Seat, every third Friday of the month among others.

There is a culture of love and intimacy with the leadership and entire community committed to supporting one another.

An Education Fund initiated in 2016 by Rev. Fr Andrew Campbell, the Parish Priest at the time, had the support of Professor Joseph Adjaye the Rev. Fr. Amenuvor, and the Church Pastoral Council in establishing it and sees to needy members with bursaries.

It is managed by a nine-member committee.

The church was privileged to be selected as Pilgrimage Centre with the construction of the Divine Mercy Grotto.

Challenges

The demography of the church – a youthful population – although positive, has financial implications, particularly for a significant number of church members who are young, unemployed or underemployed and have limited resources to support the major church building project.

However, through the fundraising and harvest committees, several innovative activities have been conducted in aid of the building project.

Further assistance is urgently required to facilitate the project.

Way forward

After the anniversary Mass, a Five-Year Development Action Plan Committee was inaugurated to strategise to implement proposed development plan for the Catholic youthful community.

The five-year plan will comprise a strategic direction (vision and mission statements), a comprehensive strategic work plan that integrates spiritual, pastoral, catechesis, evangelism, social, welfare, infrastructure development, and financial mobilisation before the commemoration of its 20th anniversary in August 2025.