CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF SACRED HEART PARISH, WINNEBA

A CENTURY OF MEMORIES AND TESTAMENT OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS!
A LEGACY LEFT AND A STORY TO TELL FOR THE NEXT GENERATION!!

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Winneba, was established on 24th October 2024. According to history, a few Catholic members resident in Winneba used to assemble at Mr. H.B. Ennin’s house for worship. Then Rev. Fr. A. Baumann, SMA, from Saltpond visited Winneba; he arrived on 17th October 1925, and on 18th October 1925, the first Mass was officially celebrated by him, and the church began. Evangelization and building of the church in Winneba began through the help and support of the SMA, who are still working hard in spreading the Gospel in Winneba. In 1972, the FMM sisters were also invited by Rev. Fr. Oban SMA during the time of Most Rev. John Kojo Amissah, the then Archbishop of Cape Coast, to help in pastoral work.

The preparation towards the centenary celebration was launched on 29th October, 2023, with the theme “100 years of evangelism; going forward with Communion, Participation, and Mission. There were several activities in preparation towards the centenary celebration, which included a quiz competition among the various groups in the parish on the light of the history of the Church in Winneba, and awards were given. We had a panel discussion based on the history of the church, the arrival of the SMA, the presence of the FMM sisters, the participation of parishioners, the success, challenges, and the way forward.

We visited St. Anna’s orphanage home and distributed some items to them. We also had health work and cleanup up exercises in schools, hospitals, roads, and all parts of Winneba. We had an opportunity to enlighten the parishioners on vocation talks and they were given the chance to ask questions in order to discover more about religious life. We had a talk on church doctrines, Catholic marriage, and family life. The need for proper personal hygiene and periods was explained to all during a workshop. We had a splendiferous excursion to Boti Falls in the Eastern Region. In addition to that, we had a Laity week talk, reading and sharing of the Bible, and interdenominational games for most of the youth in Winneba.

In the month of October, a week before the main celebration, we walked around the streets of Winneba creating awareness towards the upcoming event. We sang and danced with live band performances, and we also distributed rosaries to all those we came across as part of evangelization since it was the month of Our Lady. Banners and flyers were posted in all corners of Winneba. There were also radio and TV discussions on our faith as Catholics and the significance of the celebration, and all were invited to join us. These are just a few activities we undertook in preparation for the celebration.

On 25th October 2024, we had Jama night, which was indeed a night to be remembered. All parishioners gathered together in the church compound to entertain ourselves with back-in-the-day moon night tales and games. On 26th October 2024, we climax all activities with a confirmation of 87 candidates by the Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Kobena Nketsia. In the evening, we went to arrange and decorate the church compound for the centenary celebration. Although it was very tiresome, we succeeded with the collaboration of the parishioners, and everything went on well.

Here comes the long-awaited day!!!

On 27^th October 2024. With a friendly atmosphere and joy and excitement on the faces of all present, beautifully dressed in their centenary cloth, the Mass began at 8:30am with a procession led by Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Kobena Nketsia, the main celebrant. During the time for the proclamation of the Gospel, the book of the Gospel was processed in with a display by the school of Jesus (Sunday school children). The Bishop Emeritus, in his homily, congratulated the parishioners for their steadfast faith in the Catholic Church and encouraged them to keep the light burning. He also emphasized the need to grow more in love towards each other, including our neighbors and those we encounter daily, and to build up the small Christian communities. A very inspiring anthem was composed for the celebration and was sung during Mass. Some dignitaries were invited for the celebration; they included The traditional rulers of Winneba (chiefs and council of the Effutu traditional area), Hon. Alexander Kwamena Affenyo-Markin MP of Effutu and Majority Leader, Mrs Diana Osei, Regional Manager of Catholic schools, NDC Parliamentary candidate, etc.

Some other activities followed after the Eucharistic celebration, such as the unveiling of the 100-year anniversary stone and statue of one of the SMA priests who passed on while serving in the parish, Rev. Fr. John; a cultural display by the Dagaaba group; a brass band performance by CYO; and a poem titled 100 Years of existence was also recited by Rev. Fr. John Memorial Preparatory School children. Certificates of honor were given to deserving parishioners who worked hard towards the growth of the parish, and the anniversary cake. Closing remarks and prayer were led by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. James Owusu Yeboah.

The program was well attended, and the celebration went on very well. To God be the glory. Hurray!!!

Long live Sacred Heart Parish, Winneba! 

Written by Crosswinds Community, Winneba