The Ghana Province of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), brought its strategic leadership workshop to a close on Sunday, April 12, 2026, with a solemn Eucharistic celebration marking Divine Mercy Sunday.
The Mass was presided over by Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, who used the occasion to deliver a reflective homily centered on the signs of living the Resurrection in Christian and religious life.
In his homily, Fr. Kuupol, who is the outgoing Provincial Superior of the Society of Divine Word (SVD) Ghana Province, drew attention to the Gospel account of Christ’s appearance to His disciples after the Resurrection. He emphasized that the disciples “saw and believed without doubt,” rejoiced in the risen Lord, and were sent forth on mission.
This, he noted, remains a powerful model for Christians today.
Referencing the second reading, he highlighted how St. Peter reassured the early Christian community, praising God and encouraging them to persevere in their mission.
According to the priest, this affirmation underscores the importance of steadfastness in faith and purpose.
Fr. Kuupol outlined four key characteristics that marked the lives of those who had truly experienced the Resurrection.
First, he noted that the early Christian community devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles, describing it as an invitation for Christians to return continually to the Word of God as the foundation of evangelization.
Secondly, he pointed to the communal sharing of resources, where believers placed their possessions in common and distributed them according to need.
While acknowledging that such a lifestyle may not be for everyone, he stressed that it is a calling for those who have deeply encountered the risen Christ, particularly in religious life.
The third characteristic, he said, was the gathering of the community to “break bread” in memory of Christ, an act that continues in the Eucharistic celebration. Lastly, he highlighted the importance of communal prayer, describing it as an essential expression of a life transformed by the Resurrection.
Applying these reflections to the HHCJ community, Fr. Kuupol encouraged the sisters to examine their lives and relationships.
He urged them to be attentive to one another’s needs, noting that what may seem superfluous to one could be essential to another.
He further called on the sisters to live out their religious vows authentically, as a visible sign of their encounter with the risen Lord. Echoing the example of the apostles, he reminded them that a true Christian community ensures that no one is left in need.
Concluding his homily, Fr. Kuupol challenged the sisters to reflect personally and communally: “Is this what is happening in your life, in your community, and in the world? How can you contribute to this?”
The Eucharistic celebration marked the official conclusion of the workshop, which had gathered HHCJ sisters across the Ghana Province to reflect on leadership, mission, and communal living in the light of the Gospel.
Sister Emmanuella Dakurah,HHCJ (Catholic Sister Communicators Network-Ghana, CASCON-GH)
