The Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese in Ghana’s Upper East Region has encouraged the members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) to see the death of two of their pioneering Sisters as a blessing because of their ages.
In a sermon at the burial Mass of the two Sisters at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Minor Basilica at Navrongo on two different days, he encouraged the congregation to give thanks to God for the lives of the Sisters to their families both biological and religious.
“Their lives therefore is a privilege to the living in the sense that we learn from them wisdom and experience, he said.
On July 19, 2024, the SMI Congregation was joined by the diocesan family of Navrongo-Bolgatanga to mourn Srs. Mary Akangyam, 83 and Angela Aminzia, 82, who died on June 25, 2024 and July 10, 2024 respectively.
In reference to St. Paul who says “all things work together for good to those who love God,” the bishop therefore considered their lives as gift to the Church and their Religious Congregation.
He said having the old among society placed a responsibility of taking care of them and this must be done with love. The very reason why the Holy Father is asking us to celebrate the year of the aged as Christians.
Bishop opined that society should not let the aged feel like they are a burden but rather God has blessed them to reach a transition of life.
“So as Religious and Priests we need to pay much attention to the care of the aged in our communities,” he stated.
Bishop Agyenta therefore extended condolence to the entire SMI family for the loss of four members within four months that is, two sisters in April 2024 and two in July 2024.
He assured the congregation of the diocesan family’s support in this trying moments.
He acknowledge that these two Sisters had a special connection with the diocese since they spent most of their lives serving in the diocese and also hailing from the diocese.
The bishop brought to light that both Sisters are pioneers from their respective Parishes that is St. Francis Xavier parish, Wiaga and Martyrs of Uganda Parishes, Sirigu.
He, therefore, called on young men and women from the two parishes to be bold and join the religious life and priesthood to continue the mission that these sisters left behind.
He called on Priests and religious to give witness to the gospel in their silence voices pointing to the fact that the priests and religious are sign post to the gospel message.
The Superior General of the SMI, Sr. Christiana Pogbeyir thanked the Bishop for accepting to have the funeral for the two sisters celebrated in his Diocese.
She said per the constitution of the SMI, a sister would be mourned and buried in the place of work but this case was peculiar and should be taking as a reference point in the future.
The normal policy would have been that Sr. Angela who was working in Wa Diocese would have been mourned there but to avoid too much stress and movement on the part of the family and the congregation, this decision was taken to have the two mourned together.
The District Superior of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga District of the SMI, Sr. Rose Dakurah thanked all mourners and sympathizers for sharing in the pain of the SMI especially that the space between the two funerals is too close.
After the Eucharistic celebration the remains of the Sisters were taken to the cemetery for priests and religious at the Minor Basilica to be laid to rest.
Before their demise, Sr. Mary was a member of the Wiaga community where she spent her last active life doing pastoral work which includes care of women, administering communion to the sick and aged and doing sacristy work.
Due to ill health and old age, Sr. Mary came to the end of her active life and was in residence in the same community.
Sr. Angela before her demise spent her entire life in the healing ministry of Jesus as a nurse and nursing tutor after her studies both abroad and home.
She worked at the St. Joseph’s hospital, Jirapa until her retirement. After retirement, she was sent to the Novitiate community as the assistant novice directress. She remain active until her health started failing her upon series of treatments until the Lord said it was enough.
By Sr. Juliana Atuuna, SMI
