Nigerian Catholic Community (NICCO)/ Nigerian Catholic Missionaries (NICAM) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana have concluded a three-day camping programme for their children. This programme started from September 3 to 5, 2016, at the Our Lady of Mount Calvary Grotto, Techiman, in the Diocese of Techiman.
This programme is designed to groom and nurture these children in the way of God from the outset so that they will see God in all aspects of their lives always and draw their water from the well of salvation. A total of 116 children were present, including some parents who came to support the program in different ways. The theme was “Be a Holy, prayerful and Powerful Child of God”.
Some priests and Religious from NICAM moderated the program, among whom are Rev. Fr. George Greg Chukwube MCD, Fr. Emmanuel Christopher Maimagani, MCD, Rev. Paul Chori, Rev. Levi Mama CSsp and Sr. Lovina Anyanwu DMMM.
On the first day, the chief moderator, Fr. George Greg, explained to them what holiness is all about, the need to be holy both in actions and in words and how to maintain a Holy life.
He went further to highlight the ways a child could maintain Holiness by avoiding sin of all types, praying always, having a good relationship with God and neighbours, reading the Scriptures and sacred books that will boost their Christian life, and avoiding the following: watching pornographic films and pictures, indulging in immoral discussions, indecent dressing and many others.
The priest went on to tell them the need to pray always and never relent, that prayers help to drive satan away from the side of God’s children because it terrifies and shakes his kingdom. He encouraged them to pursue righteousness and make it their watchword.
Again, he explained to them the benefits of the Holy Spirit in someone’s spiritual life. After the explanations, he asked them to mention some of the attributes of the Spirit of God in a person, which they did. Prayers were conducted to end the morning session.
In the evening, they were grouped into five based on their age brackets for proper teaching and understanding. They were taught by the moderators, with emphasis laid on being prayerful and the positive effects of prayer.
They were taught how to pray always, especially for their parents, that prayers can liberate the entire family and draw the presence and power of God to themselves because it is only prayer that moves God. It was concluded with a prayer session conducted by Fr. George Greg and Bro. Ugochkwu Nwoye.
During the night session, the children acted a drama titled Dressing in modern society. They displayed dressing by a harlot, charismatic members, a drunkard, an elderly man and woman and a saggy boy. After the advice given by the elders, they rejected it, but the charismatic members converted all of them through prayers.
The lesson is that parents should take care of what their children wear from the early stages of life because the way someone dresses will determine the way he/she will be addressed. The moderator used the drama to advise the children and encouraged them to desist from bad friends who can mislead them.
The program for the day was concluded with Holy Mass officiated by Fr. George Greg Chukwube, and the homily was given by Rev. Paul Chori, which was based on holiness.
Second Day was started with the Rosary at the Grotto of Our Lady. After the Rosary, Rev. Levi led them in prayers and concluded it with the teaching about the Rosary and St. Dominic, to whom our Lady first appeared.
He taught them the need to pray the Rosary always and cited examples of prayers answered through our Lady’s intercession. Questions were asked, as a lot were interested in the teaching, and they got their answers. This was followed by Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Emmanuel Christopher Maimagani, and the homily was delivered by Rev. Paul Chori. His emphasis was on good character and its reward, and he encouraged them to emulate behaviours that will give glory to God and blessings upon them.
During the morning session, the priest taught them songs before they went to their groups. Each group leader delivered the topic for the program. Sr. Lovina Anyanwu DMMM dealt with the topic titled ” Discovering Your Potentials”. She explained different gifts that they have been endowed with by God and need to discover and develop them.
According to her, this will enable them to be what and who God wants them to be; this could be made possible through hard work, living a holy life that pleases God, obedience, avoidance of bad company, believing in themselves and prayer.
She enjoined them to be prayerful to help avoid occasions of sin and things that will take their minds away from what is important in their lives. Questions were asked on vocations, and clarifications were given.
During the evening session, there was a film show on the three young men in the blazing fire. (Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego). The moderator explained the film as the three young men refused to bow down to the statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar; rather, they chose to die due to their strong faith in God, believing that He would save them.
The children were asked to emulate them every time because God doesn’t abandon his faithful children in times of trial. According to him, because they were prayerful, that was what made them strong and fearless, even before the King, and they spoke to his face, which annoyed him, and he gave orders that the fire should be increased seven times, but God saved them.
Thus, the need for being prayerful and Powerful was emphasised. This was followed by a night prayer session conducted by Fr George Greg, the moderator.
The Third Day began with a Rosary procession to the Grotto. After that, the Stations of the Cross were conducted by Fr George Greg Chukwube. Children were deeply moved when they saw some of the stations, which led to their asking questions after the exercise. A visit was made to the Altar of the Perpetual Blessed Sacrament Sanctuary, where praises were offered to our Blessed Lord and petitions laid at his feet.
Holy Mass was said and was celebrated by Fr. Emmanuel Christopher Maimagani. During his homily, he explained the four important things that Catholics value most, which are the Holy Mass, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross and the Scapular.
He made them understand the need for all these and told them the promises of Our Lady to those who wear the scapular. He enjoined them to seek Our Lady’s intercession always, especially when in danger. He advised them to take the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints as their role model to live a life of holiness as growing children, not from peer groups.
During the morning session, Sr. Lovina Anyanwu, DMMM spoke on “Being Prayerful and Living the life of Chastity”. She narrated how they could be prayer warriors and intercessors for their families and the Church when they draw nearer to God and desist from a sinful life.
She told them that God can use them to work miracles if only they have docile hearts. She told them to pray ejaculatory prayers always and visit the Blessed Sacrament for a private encounter with the Lord. She told them that a prayerless Christian is empty, and the devil can easily come to live in such a heart; thus, the need for prayers.
Sister went further to highlight the ways one can defile his/her body, such as involving in immoral discussions, immoral practices, watching pornographic films and pictures, etc. She warned them about the use of the phone to glorify satan instead of the main aim, which is communication and learning.
The children lamented how the phone is being used and accepted that it has led many people astray. Questions were asked, especially by girls, even on marriage issues, and they got clarification and counselling.
During the evening, they played football to have fun because “all works no play makes Jack a dull boy”. This was followed by an eating competition, Fashion parade and Bible Quiz. Everything ended in praise because they were very excited and even requested that the program should be done twice a year instead of once. The closing prayer was said by Fr. Emmanuel Christopher Maimagani.
By Sr. Lovina Anyanwu DMMM.
Catholic Sister Communicators Network Ghana
(CASCON- GH)
