Saint Thomas Cathedral Obuasi has lined up a series of activities to mark 30 years of becoming a Diocese.The church, which attained a Diocese status in March 1995, has formed a committee to oversee the commemoration of the year-long celebration, which ends in December.
Speaking to the media after unveiling the 30th anniversary plaque, Rev. Father Francis Darko, the cathedral administrator, said the church has been in existence for more than 100 years, but it was in 1995 that it was expanded to become a diocese.
He said the church since then has chalked enormous successes and impacted lives. He said the church has succeeded in fostering development in the communities and preaching salvation by bringing Chrsitians closer to God by shaping lives.
” We have also undertaken series of social interventions including the Saint Thomas school, supporting the needy and students through school, the social centre which has been hosting events, the Saint Thomas cooperative credit union has been providing financial support to SMEs.
Again, he said the ‘One parish one student’ at the Catholic University has been embraced by the church and has seen students through school.
He commended those who have toiled and served the church to attain the Diocese status. It is through their efforts that the Church has come this far, calling on all and sundry to continue supporting the church to serve mankind.
Rev. Father Darko made known that the church has set out to establish Saint Thomas media to enable them to broadcast their church service and activities to the rest of the world. ” We believe this would enable us to touch more souls for Christ. We call for more support to enable this to come into fruition. “
According to Genevive Opoku Mensah the Anniversary Committee chairperson, the committee has put in place series of activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary emphasising that, there is the need for members to support it to achieve its objective .
She said the them for the celebration is ” Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven and the goal is to reflect, celebrate, look forward to the future with renewed hope and purpose and share its story with the local community, diaspora, and engage new and existing parishioners to honor God’s faithfulness.
On activities lined up for the celebration, she said the Church intends to organise the following programs: Radio Program on our faith (Monthly), Youth & Valentine Day, Outreach to Delinquent Members, Crusade, Special Lenten Retreat, Easter Monday Mega Games, Financial Freedom & Business Entrepreneurship.
Others are: Leadership & Marriage Seminars, Anniversary Lectures (history), Worship & Praise Music Concert, Mini Clinic-Aerobics/Health Walk/Float, Candle Light Procession, Awards – Feast Day, My Next Chapter, Debate/ Quiz, Catechesis, Pilgrimage – Rome / Accra, Thanksgiving & Grand Climax, Dinner Home Coming, Fundraising, etc.
The Church President Hon. John Alexander Ackon also acknowledged the efforts of forebears of the church, their sacrifices and dedication to the work of God, emphasizing that it is through these attributes that the foundation of the church was built on.