Some Catholic Sisters from the Congregations of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) from Ghana have ended their nine months programme of scholasticate formation for growth at the Generalate of the Handmaids at Ifuho in Ikot Epene diocese, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
The programme which commenced on October 10, 2024, ended on June 25, 2025.
The Sisters from Ghana among the participants were Sr. Sheila Aselwine Adombire, HHCJ, Sr Sandra Sauri, HHCJ, Sr Thelma Nora Fynn, HHCJ, Sr. Agatha Acquaye, HHCJ, Sr Florence Batengezuing HHCJ and Sr. Rhoda Kwofie, HHCJ.
The Scholasticate is a nine months formation programme for HHCJ temporary Professed Sisters between two or three years after first profession.
It is undertaken to prepare them for deeper intimacy with God, for effective ministry, the salvation of their souls and of those they are sent to live and work with.
At a closing Mass, Rev Fr. Victor Ntui, the homilist, commended the Sisters’ effort and congratulated them on a successful completion of their scholasticate programme.
He urged the Sisters to be grateful to God who imitates things and brings them to a successful. 
He indicated that the beginning looks impossible, the continuation difficult but the end consoling and fulfilling.
He emphasised that the programme that began in 2001 had gathered momentum and focus as the years pass by.
According to him, this programme had fostered the growth and holistic development of the Sisters, opining that it had also deepened spiritual and community life for effective living and apostolic witnessing.
He added that it has enabled sisters to develop proper mechanism for natural and self-evaluation through imbibing the proper spirit of religious life and values and the virtues of the congregation.
He encouraged the sisters to see every apostolate as a call to witness and service that truly defines the Handmaids vocation and mission expressed in their motto: love and service.
This, he said would help to deepen the consciousness of their vocation and create ways for the enhancement of their understanding of the religious life and the rules guiding the Handmaids.
The Superior General of the Handmaids of the Holy Child, Mother Germaine Ocansey, congratulated the scholastics for availing themselves and being docile to their formation which has enabled them to come this far.
She encouraged them to take their prayer life seriously in order to have a solid foundation in their religious journey. She noted that as they go back to their various communities and apostolate, they should strive to make impart in the wounded for the world needs them.
She commended the efforts of the formators of the scholasticate for their extreme patience and the formation they have given to the scholastics.
The scholastics rendered their heartfelt gratitude to Mother Germaine Ocansey, the Superior General, the Directresses of the Scholasticate, their lecturers and all Priests, Religious, families and friends who travelled far and near to grace the occasion. 
According to them, as they return to their various communities and the world at large, guided by the light of knowledge and love, they would not only carry the teachings in their hearts but also put them into practice the skills they have acquired.
Empowered by their faith, they promised to be instruments of God’s love, bringing hope, healing and transformation to those around them and foster a spirit of compassion, understanding and peace.
Rev. Fr. John Ekanem, the Chancellor of the Diocese and the main celebrant of the Mass congratulated the scholars on their achievement and urged them to remain prayerful and steadfast on their journey and to be committed to their path.
By Sr. Sheila Adombire, HHCJ (Sister Communicator)
