The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Ghana Province, has celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit to officially commence the new academic year at the Ancilla Catholic Montessori Academy on September 16,2026, a new educational initiative of the congregation at Fiapre at the Catholic University in Sunyani , Bono Region of Ghana.
The academy, which is owned and managed by the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, Ghana Province, is established as a purely Montessori institution, with a focus on nurturing children according to the principles and philosophy of the Montessori educational system.
The Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Stephen Ebo, Chaplain of the Catholic University of Ghana, who served as the main celebrant and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. John Oppong-Baah.
In his homily, Fr. Ebo commended the leadership of the HHCJ congregation for embarking on what he described as a significant initiative, noting the congregation’s longstanding commitment to serving humanity through its various apostolates.
Reflecting on the Montessori method of education, Fr. Ebo emphasised the need for the head, heart and hands of every child to be properly nurtured and developed.
He explained that the Montessori approach recognises that children possess innate potentials, and therefore provides an environment where they can discover and develop their abilities.
He encouraged the Sisters and educators to give the children the necessary space and freedom to grow, learn and develop according to their individual ages and stages of development.
According to him, the Montessori philosophy is built around helping children bring out the best in themselves rather than imposing learning on them. He therefore urged the educators to be attentive to the individual needs and abilities of each child.
Provincial Superior expresses gratitude
Speaking after the celebration, the Provincial Superior of the HHCJ, Ghana Province, Sr. Judith Beatrice Magbity, HHCJ, expressed profound gratitude to all who contributed in diverse ways towards the realization of the academy.
She particularly thanked the Superior General, Mother Germaine Ocansey, HHCJ and Council of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus for their support and encouragement towards the new project.
Sr. Judith also expressed appreciation to the Education Coordinator of the Congregation, Sr. Perpetua Samuel Imaobong, HHCJ for her contribution to the initiative.
She extended special gratitude to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, for his support, as well as the Bishop’s former Vicar General, the late Msgr. Kwame Kumi, and the current Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Oppong Febiri.
The Provincial Superior further acknowledged the contribution of the HHCJ Sisters, particularly those living and working in and around Sunyani, as well as the novices who were present for the celebration.
She thanked all individuals and organizations who had supported the Ghana Province in various ways to make the dream of establishing the Montessori Academy a reality.
The celebration brought together HHCJ Sisters from communities in and around Sunyani, novices and other well-wishers who joined the congregation to pray for God’s guidance, wisdom and blessings upon the new academic venture and the children entrusted to its care.
The celebration marked the beginning of a new chapter in the educational apostolate of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, Ghana Province, as the congregation seeks to provide holistic formation and education for young children through the Montessori approach.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ
Catholic Sister Communicators Network–Ghana (CASCON-GH)
