The Alfons Merten’s Centre located on the Cathedral Compound of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District, Eastern Region of Ghana has opened Catering Services to attend to the needs of the local population and beyond, as a means of raising funds to support the running of the Vicariate.
The January 22, 2025 Opening Ceremony featured among other activities, free lunch by the Centre to the invited guests, by way of encouraging them to patronize the catering services in the near future. Other activities were addresses and optional speeches by the guests, culminating in a benediction by the Bishop.
In a welcome address, Miss Emelia Assibi Amadu, a Parishioner of St. Fidelis Parish, Tease, and Chairperson of the Alfons Merten’s Centre, explained that the reason for opening an eatery or restaurant in a Catholic mission environment, is a pointer to the fact that the Catholic Church not only caters for the spiritual needs of the people, but also the physical; that which will keep them “strong and holy,” and having it not far from the Bishop’s office, adds up to its spiritual significance.
“And so this morning, we want to announce to you humbly that we have a restaurant here at Alfons Merten’s Centre, to complement our other aspects that are also put together to serve the people of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom and beyond,” Miss Amadu noted.
She added that the Centre also runs accommodation services, for persons who may be trooping into the town for one business or the other, as well as rental services for people who may be needing a space to run seminars or workshops. Also included in the package offered by the Centre are Secretarial Services, including photocopy, printing, typing among others.
The Chairperson strongly encouraged her fellow inhabitants and workers in the Afram Plains to patronize the services rendered at the “peaceful” Alfons Merten’s Centre.
“Alfons Merten’s Centre is our own. Don’t go order food from Nkawkaw. Don’t go order food from Ekye. Order from Alfons Merten’s Centre kitchen and you will never regret doing so,” she advertised.
According to Sr. Jessie Quist, HDR, Coordinator of the Catering Services, their services for the meantime, will be limited to lunch only, comprising of both continental and local dishes that will be available between 12:00 Noon and 3:00pm, from Mondays to Fridays, and Weekend services on request only; all at affordable prices.
She added that people who do not wish to come to the restaurant due to time constrain or other factors are free to order the meals from the Centre and they will be delivered at their doorsteps. People could also come and buy and take along if they do not wish to eat at the Centre.
Room was given for interventions, comments and suggestions from the invited guests, geared towards making the place a better one.
Bro. Samuel Elorm Dagadu, SVD, Director of the Alfons Merten’s Centre expressed joy and gratitude to the guests for honouring their invitation and shared the hope that things will take shape with time, admitting that at the beginning of every new thing, there are challenges.
“So please, bear with us,” We are trying to put it up,” he pleaded.
Present for the opening ceremony were His Lordship, John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate, Fr. Leopold Ettuh, Chancellor of the Vicariate, Fr. Philip Gyapong, Parish Priest of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Amankwakrom and Vicariate Liturgist, Fr. Vincent Amuzu Asafo, SVD, Assistant Cathedral Administrator and Bishop’s Secretary.
Also present were representatives of the various female Religious Congregations in the vicariate, among other invited guests.
Sr. Joy Abuh, MSHR, extended profound gratitude to the Chief Shepherd “who takes care of the Vicariate and all that we are doing here, and is always there to support us in all that we do”.
She was also thankful to the Priests and Religious present, who had left all their assignments to honour the invitation, not leaving out Staff of the MTN Office, Ghana Education Service, the Rural Bank, Presbyterian Hospital and Police Officers for gracing the ceremony.
She applauded Bro. Dagadu and his team for the great work done and encouraged them to keep up the spirit and also appreciated Miss Assibi for making the effort to come all the way from Tease for the ceremony, the DEPSOCOM team, and the Church President of the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
