Rev. Fr Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, Provincial Superior of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) Ghana-Liberia Province, has urged the 2024/2025 batch of Formators from the Institute of Continuing Formation (ICF) to be gentle in their ministry.
This, he said, in a homily at a solemn Thanksgiving Mass to mark the end of the formation of Formators programme at the ICF at Elmina in the Cape Coast Archdiocese of Ghana.
While sharing his reflection on the readings of the day on June 25, 2025, Fr. Kuupol, who, was the Guest of Honour and the main celebrant of the Mass reminded the participants that “we all can bear fruits, but the kind of fruit matters.
“Let us ask ourselves what kind of fruit am I bearing? How do I bear good fruits?”, he asked.
Fr. Kuupol, the Superior in Charge of Formation, listed three ways by which the Formators could bear good fruits in their ministries, saying, “As Formators, we need to be effective in the discharge of our duties, by being prophetic in both word and actions.”
Secondly, he asked them to be gentle in their ministry, urging them to endeavour to help “your formatees to form themselves according to the charisms of your institute.”
Finally, he entreated them to be constant in prayer, stating that “Anybody can be a Formator but what differentiates you from the others is your constant prayer life.”
It was a colourful and joyous occasion at the ICF as 10 new Formators who arrived on October 5, 2024 with six Sisters and three Brothers and a Priest graduate after their 9 months formation programme for Formators.
They were presented with Certificates and commissioned at the end of the Mass.
This formation programme, organised by the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious-Ghana, (CMSR-GH) with sponsorship from the Conrad Hilton foundation consisted of members from eight different Congregations and participants from six different countries namely: Ghana, Senegal, La Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, India and Nigeria.
Sr. Pramila D’Souza, SMMI, who gave the welcome address at the second part of the graduation ceremony noted that, the day was of a deep reflection and rejoicing.
“Over the past nine months, we have walked a path of growth intellectually, spiritually and communally, we have listened and learned, worked with truth and opened ourselves to become better instruments of God’s grace in the lives of others,” she said.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the group, Sr. Maria Chekubekwukwu, IHM, quoting from the encyclical ‘vita concecrata’, noted that “formation should be wholeness,” explaining that it should be human, spiritual, cultural, theological, pastoral and intellectual.
According to her, “there is the need to know that growth takes time and there should not be rushed.”
The institute left no stone unturned concerning the mind of the Church in the formation programme especially in training the future Formators for the mother Church, she stated
The centre offered the Formators 45 courses which were handled by seventeen visiting lecturers.
She indicated that the courses offered were well planned, organised and suited, adding that the facilitators did excellently well that “we, the participants are ready to accept whatever responsibilities that will be given to us by our congregations for the good of the Church.”
She also mentioned some other aspects of the holistic programme, such as the sharing of sacred stories, congregational stories, culture day celebration, immersion programmes, excursions, gardening and sporting activities.
She averred that these activities enlightened them and helped them to appreciate their individuality and differences, cultural and inter-religious diversity.
The graduants were so full of admiration and appreciation of the Director of the institute, Bro Emmanuel Affum, SVD for his tremendous contribution in their formation programme.
The participants collectively said: “You are an exemplary leader. Your insight and input for the program were highly commended and appreciated because they are outstanding.”
“You plan and execute. You have no assistant, yet, with your health challenges, you always make sure that everything is done at the proper time and also done well,” Sr. Maria stated.
On behalf of the graduates, Bro. Joachim Faye, OH, expressed appreciation to all who came to celebrate and mark the special day with them, which included Bro. John Badu, Provincial Superior of the Holy Cross Brothers; Bro. Paulinus Toh Kisam, Provincial of the St. Augustine Province of the St. John of God Brothers; and Bro. Henry Surnye, FIC, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Conference of the Major Superiors of Ghana.
The Franciscan Frairs who come over daily to celebrate Holy Mass for the Formators and some facilitators were also present to witness this joyful occasion.
By Sr Bridget Kator, SMMC (Sister Communicator)
