Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ, a member of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) Congregation and Headmistress of St. Mary Preparatory and Junior High School, Sunyani, has reflected with members of the Dagaaba Christian Association of the Sunyani Diocese at a 3-day Spiritual Retreat on the theme: One in Christ, United in Mission.
The retreat which took place at the St. Theodore Catholic Church, Sunyani Barracks from June 26 to 28, 2026, was organised by the Association to bring together youth, singles, and married couples for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.
It focused on strengthening Christian unity and deepening the commitment of members to the Church’s mission and offered participants an opportunity for spiritual growth, fellowship, and renewed commitment to living out the Gospel, leaving them inspired to continue serving Christ and their communities as one family united in mission.
Drawing inspiration from Ephesians 4:4–6 and John 17:21, Sr. Dakurah reminded participants that Christian unity is a gift from God, rooted in one baptism, one faith, and one Lord. She emphasized that despite differences in age, family background, profession, and vocation, all Christians are united as members of the Body of Christ and are called to work together in advancing God’s Kingdom.
Speaking on the significance of the retreat theme, she explained that while Christians may have different gifts and responsibilities, they share one common mission to proclaim the Gospel, witness to Christian values, and serve society with love, humility, and commitment.
Addressing the different groups present, Sr. Dakurah, who is the Director of the Catholic Sister Communicators Network-Ghana (CASCON-GH), encouraged the youth to become courageous witnesses of Christ by living lives of faith and integrity and using their talents in the service of the Church.
She challenged single members to view their present stage of life not as a period of waiting but as an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God, actively serve the Church, and prayerfully discern their vocation.
She also urged married couples to strengthen their homes through prayer, love, and unity, describing Christian families as “domestic churches” where faith is nurtured daily and passed on to future generations.
Sr. Dakurah stressed that although each group has unique roles within the Church, they all share the same mission of building a vibrant Christian community. She called on participants to support one another across generations, noting that youth require guidance from adults, singles need encouragement, and families flourish through the support of the wider Christian community.
Reflecting on the challenges facing society today, including moral decline, divisions, and the weakening of faith. she encouraged members of the association to become ambassadors of peace, reconciliation, justice, and evangelization within their families, communities, and the Church.
Throughout the retreat, participants were reminded that unity strengthens Christian witness and enables believers to respond more effectively to the needs of the Church and society. They were encouraged to renew their relationship with Christ, deepen their commitment to one another, and actively participate in the Church’s mission.
The retreat concluded with a prayer for unity, asking God to strengthen the bonds among members of the Dagaaba Christian Association, help them appreciate one another’s gifts, overcome divisions, and remain united in faith, hope, and service.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Catholic Sister Communicators Network-Ghana, CASCON-GH)
