“I give you thanks, Lord God, for hiding these things from the learned and revealing them to the little ones.” — Luke 10:21
Sr. Juliana Ayinpoka Atuun, a member of the Sister of Mary Immaculate ( SMI), marked her Silver Jubilee of Vows with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at Bolgatanga on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
A teacher at Bole Senior High School in Damongo Diocese in Ghana’s Savannah Region, Sr. Atuuna is the first Religious Sister from Bukere Dapooretindongo in the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese.
She is also a member of the Catholic Sister Communicators Network–Ghana (CASCON-GH).
The 25th Anniversary was for her many years of dedicated and selfless service to God and His people in the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI).
The Silver Jubilee celebration started at different locations as on February 3, 2026, Sr. Juliana celebrated with her formation mates—Srs. Janet Beru, Janet Siebelaare, Judith Carianaa, Agnes Duurah, and Rosemary Fuseini—at the Sacred Heart of Mary Parish Church, Daffiama in the Wa Diocese in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
On August 29, 2026, Sr. Juliana continued her Jubilee thanksgiving at the Sacred Heart Cathedral attended by her family from Bukere Dapooretindongo, a town in Bolgatanga .
The Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese with Fr. Sylvanus Ayuuribire as the homilist.
Fr. Ayuuribire, a Priest at the Renewal Center in Congo, within the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, shared that when Sr. Juliana approached him and asked him to preach at her Jubilee celebration, he initially asked who would be the main celebrant?
When she mentioned Bishop Alfred Agyenta, he suggested that the Bishop should perhaps say something to the congregation.
However, Sr. Juliana insisted that Fr. Sylvanus should be the one to share the Word of God.
He said, although he humbly remarked that he was neither the only Priest nor necessarily the best person from Dapooretindongo to preach, he accepted the invitation.
Fr. Sylvanus encouraged everyone to join Sr. Juliana in giving thanks to God and rejoicing with her for 25 years of selfless service.
Drawing from the day’s readings, particularly 1 Corinthians 4:1–10, as well as the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, he reflected deeply on the meaning of Christian vocation and Consecrated Life.
THE THREE RELIGIOUS VOWS
Fr. Sylvanus reflected on the three Evangelical Counsels or Religious Vows: Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.
He explained the Vow of Poverty as a life of sharing, dedication, commitment, and total self-giving to God. Religious are called to give themselves completely to God’s service, holding nothing back for themselves.
On Chastity, he explained that consecrated persons freely remain unmarried and dedicate their lives entirely to God and the service of His people.
The Vow of obedience, he explained, involves listening and responding to legitimate Superiors, living together in community, sharing with one another, and being available for the mission entrusted to the Religious Congregation.
Fr. Sylvanus emphasised that Religious Life is first and foremost a life focused on God and His divine love, and secondly, a life dedicated to the service of others and the Church.
ENCOURAGING VOCATIONS TO RELIGIOUS LIFE
Fr. Sylvanus also shared an experience involving the Daughters of Charity Sisters in Congo. When the Superior General and her assistant visited their Sisters, they were introduced to children involved in the Sacred Heart Children’s Ministry (Sunday School).
The Sisters asked the children how many of them would like to become religious sisters, brothers, or priests. Surprisingly, none of the children raised their hands.
However, when they were asked who would like to become doctors, nurses, teachers, or even presidents, almost all the children raised their hands.
Fr. Sylvanus explained that this was largely because the children had little knowledge or understanding of Religious Life and priesthood.
He therefore encouraged families, Religious communities, Priests, and the Church to do more to promote and nurture vocations to religious life and priesthood, especially among the young.
He called on the faithful to support Religious Men and Women as well as Priests, recognising that their vocation is an important gift to the Church and society.
FAITHFULNESS IN MINISTRY AMID CHALLENGES
Reflecting further on 2 Corinthians, Fr. Sylvanus spoke about the ministry and vocation of those called to proclaim the Word of God and to be witnesses to God’s truth.
He emphasised the importance of integrity in ministry, reminding the congregation that those who serve God must remain faithful to the truth of His Word.
Referring to the challenges described by St. Paul, he noted that God’s servants may be afflicted and perplexed, but they must not give up.
The journey of Religious Life is not without challenges. Nevertheless, perseverance, faith, and trust in God enable consecrated persons to remain faithful to their vocation.
Fr. Sylvanus encouraged the congregation to see Sr. Juliana’s 25 years of Consecrated Life not simply as a personal achievement but as an opportunity to boast in the Lord and give thanks for His grace and faithfulness.
A CALL TO REJOICE AND GIVE THANKS
Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 12:1–6, Fr. Sylvanus invited everyone to rejoice with Sr. Juliana and to draw from the fountain of God’s saving grace with thanksgiving and praise.
He encouraged young people to consider religious life and priesthood despite the challenges that may accompany these vocations. He appealed to parents, families, and the entire Christian community to create an environment where young people can encounter, understand, and respond generously to God’s call.
He congratulated Sr. Juliana Ayinpoka Atuuna, Sr. Janet Beru, who has also served the Diocese for many years, and the other Jubilee celebrants for their years of dedicated service.
SMI AND OTHER RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS JOIN THE CELEBRATION
The Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) came in their numbers to celebrate with their own. Their presence demonstrated the joy, unity, sisterhood, and support that characterize religious life.
Other Religious Congregations also joined the celebration, including the Daughters of Charity, Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus (SHCJ), and the Presentation Brothers, among others.
The celebration was truly a moment of thanksgiving to God for the gift of Sr. Juliana’s vocation, her 25 years of consecrated service, and the many lives touched through her ministry.
As Sr. Juliana celebrates this Silver Jubilee, may the Lord continue to strengthen her vocation, renew her joy in consecrated life, and grant her many more fruitful years of faithful service to God, the Church, and humanity.
Congratulations, dear Sr. Juliana Ayinpoka Atuuna SMI, on 25 years of selfless service!
May your “Yes” continue to inspire many young people to answer God’s call.
By Sr. Grace Ku-inne SMI
(Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana- CASCON-GH)
