The National Association of Religious Formators (NARF) Sunyani Sector on June 27, 2026, held a dynamic end-of-year get-together for the Sisters and Brothers in formation and those under Temporary Religious Vows.
The celebration began with a Solemn Eucharistic Mass at the St. James Minor Seminary and Senior High School, Sunyani, Bono Region of Ghana, presided over by the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
It was concelebrated by some Religious Priests in the Sunyani Diocese.
The Sacred Liturgy established the spiritual foundation of the gathering, highlighting the importance of faith and fellowship in the lives of the participants.
The end-of-year gathering served as an excellent opportunity for participants to socialise and strengthen the bonds formed during their period of religious education.
By bringing together individuals at various stages of their spiritual journeys, the NARF aimed to facilitate a supportive environment that bridges the gap between formation and the realities of Religious Life.
The Bishop in his homily urged the Sisters and Brothers to remember their calling, which is to stay close to the Lord.
He emphasised that remaining with the Lord helps deepen one’s understanding of Him.
He advocated for the presence of a tabernacle in every convent and mission house, asserting that a Religious House without a tabernacle is not truly a Religious House.
He strongly reminded the formatees and Religious not to confuse their apostolate with Religious Life, stressing that prioritising a relationship with the Lord should be the focus of every religious person.
He encouraged them to maintain a robust prayer life, urging them not to say that the time for a particular prayer has passed and subsequently neglect their daily prayers.
The Bishop also admonished the Sisters and Brothers to be faithful to their calling and to refrain from complaining, as he encouraged them to sit up and avoid too much complaining.
He advised them to remember that the Lord consecrated and sent them even before their conception, explaining that the concepts of being temporarily professed or finally professed are human constructs and thus artificial.
The Shepherd of the Sunyani Diocese, in his homily, encouraged the religious to have a compassionate heart for the youth, reminding them not to condemn the young people for their circumstances, as they may not fully understand what those individuals are experiencing.
Bishop Gyamfi called for tenderness in approaching young people and urged the religious to take the time to understand them better.
“Have the youth at heart, do not send them away”, he added.
Furthermore, the Bishop encouraged the young religious to stay informed about current trends among youth so they can provide better support.
He, however cautioned them to protect themselves from being drawn into those activities.
He emphasised the importance of keeping the youth at heart, as they are being sent to serve them.
Bishop Gyamfi posed a challenge to his audience, emphasising the importance of being good and dedicated in their religious duties.
He stated that it is essential to spend time with the Lord to make a meaningful impact in their apostolates, highlighting that their approach to their responsibilities should be distinctive.
The Bishop expressed his desire that no one in his diocese would undergo formation to become a failure in the future.
He encouraged them to embrace and enjoy thue Religious Life, even in the face of challenges.
“For me, in every profession, my litmus test for a true Priest or Religious is that they must be happy,” he added. “One who is happy in all circumstances.”
The second part of the programme was hosted at the Bishop’s residence, where participants presented various performances, including sharing of experiences by the temporary professed, singing and dancing, drama, and more.
The Bishop at the second part of the programme continuously called on the Religious to help in the formation of the Catholic youth using the Youth Cat as a manual to equip the youth in the faith so that they can explain their faith intelligently.
He said so, reminding them of the purpose of the year of the youth celebration in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani.
Bishop Gyamfi encouraged the Religious to go out to the youth with a listening ear because he noted that the youth need someone to listen to them and that it is from the youth that they get vocation.
“They like to be listened to rather than talked to,” he stated.
Bishop Gyamfi expressed his appreciation to the religious superiors for the presence of their formation houses, noting that their presence in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani has contributed to a significant increase in the number of Catholics in the Diocese, though the number of Catholics in Ghana has dropped.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI
(Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana, CASCON-GH)
