Sisters from SMMC, HHCJ, HDR and other congregations gather at Christ the King Cathedral, Akatsi, to celebrate and pray for the newly ordained priest.
Sisters from various Religious Congregations were among many Catholics who attended the First Holy Mass of Rev. Fr. James Elorm Atsu Kwame Dunyo, at Christ the King Cathedral Parish, Akatsi, on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Among the Women Religious Congregations were the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Handmaids of Divine Redemer(HDR).
The Sisters were visibly present throughout the Eucharistic celebration, joining in prayer, worship and thanksgiving as they accompanied the newly ordained priest at the beginning of his priestly ministry.
Their presence reflected the close collaboration and communion between the Consecrated Life and the ordained ministry within the Church.
The First Mass, which began at 9:00 a.m., came a day after Rev. Fr. James was ordained to the priesthood at the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Dzelukope.
Priests from various Parishes across the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, Religious Men and Women, and hundreds of lay faithful gathered to give thanks to God for the gift of his vocation and to pray for grace and strength for his ministry.
The Eucharistic celebration was marked by an atmosphere of joy, prayer and thanksgiving, with the Sisters joining the wider Catholic community in celebrating this significant milestone in the life of the newly ordained priest.
“Nothing Is Too Hard for God”
The homily was delivered by Rev. Msgr. Peter Huletey, Vicar General of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese, who encouraged Fr. James to place his complete trust in God and remain faithful to the mission entrusted to him.
Drawing from the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, “Behold, I am the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27), Msgr. Huletey centred his reflection on God’s power, faithfulness and constant presence in the lives of His people.
He reminded the congregation, including the religious men and women present, that God’s eyes are always upon His people, regardless of where they find themselves or what challenges they may encounter.
“God always keeps His eyes on us—anywhere, everywhere and every time,” he said, inviting the faithful to proclaim: “God keeps His eyes on me.”
He then extended the message to the newly ordained Priest, encouraging him to remember throughout his ministry that God keeps His eyes on him.
Lessons from Elijah, Peter and Paul
Msgr. Huletey drew lessons from the lives of Elijah, Peter and St. Paul to illustrate God’s faithfulness.
The God who revealed His power through Elijah on Mount Carmel, he explained, is the same God who later encountered Elijah in the gentle whisper of the wind.
Likewise, the God who called Peter from the Sea of Galilee remained with him when his faith weakened and he began to sink.
The same God also strengthened St. Paul in his missionary work among the Gentiles despite the many challenges he encountered.
These biblical experiences, Monsignor Huletey explained, remind Christians that moments of fear, weakness and uncertainty do not place them outside God’s care.
For the Sisters and other faithful gathered for the celebration, the message also served as a reminder of the importance of remaining attentive to God’s presence and trusting Him in every circumstance.
“You Are Never Out of His Sight”
Addressing the challenges that can accompany priestly ministry, the homilist encouraged Rev. Fr. James not to become discouraged when confronted with difficulties.
He reminded him that, like Elijah, there could be moments when fear or opposition might become overwhelming. Like Peter, there could also be moments when uncertainty and doubt make him feel as though he is sinking.
Yet, God’s presence remains constant.
“You are never out of His sight or His coverage area. Keep your eyes on Him and listen to His voice,” Msgr. Huletey urged.
He encouraged the newly ordained priest to allow God to raise him up and renew his strength whenever he experiences weakness, pain or discouragement.
The homilist also reminded him of St. Paul’s experience and the Lord’s assurance:
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
A Call to Pastoral Care
A significant part of the homily focused on the pastoral responsibility of the priest.
Reflecting on Christ’s encounter with Peter after the Resurrection, when Jesus asked, “Do you love me?”, Msgr. Huletey highlighted the connection between love for Christ and service to God’s people.
Fr. James was encouraged to make the pastoral care of the people entrusted to him a central priority of his priestly ministry.
The homilist urged him not to be concerned only about how much work he accomplishes, but to ensure that the people experience his genuine love, concern and pastoral care.
He encouraged the priest to pray for the people entrusted to him and to allow the love of Christ to guide his relationship with them.
Standing Firm in Faith
Msgr. Huletey also challenged the newly ordained priest to remain firmly rooted in faith and the Word of God.
He referred to the words of the prophet Isaiah: “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you shall not stand at all.”(Isaiah 7:9)
The message served as an invitation for Fr. James to make faith, prayer and the Word of God the foundation of his priestly life.
The faithful were likewise encouraged never to forget their responsibility to pray for priests and to support them in their ministry.
The Sisters and the Journey of Priestly MinistryThe presence of the Sisters at the First Mass was a significant expression of their communion with the Church and their support for priestly ministry.
By joining the celebration in prayer and thanksgiving, the religious communities present shared in the joy of the Diocese and accompanied the newly ordained priest as he takes his first steps into priestly service.
Their presence also highlighted the complementary vocations within the Church, where priests, religious men and women, and the lay faithful journey together in the service of God’s people.
A New Chapter of Priestly Service
Fr. James Elorm Atsu Kwame Dunyo’s First Mass at Christ the King Cathedral Parish marked the beginning of a new chapter in his journey of priestly service.
Coming just one day after his ordination at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Dzelukope, the celebration offered the Diocese, priests, religious men and women, and the faithful an opportunity to give thanks to God for the gift of another priest and to pray for the grace he needs to serve faithfully.
The gathering of Priests from various parishes, together with religious communities such as SMMC, HHCJ and HDR, reflected the communion and shared joy surrounding the new priest.
As Fr. James begins his ministry, the message given at his First Mass remains a fitting foundation for the journey ahead:
“Behold, I am the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?”
With his eyes fixed on Christ, his heart rooted in the Word of God and his ministry centred on the care of God’s people, Rev. Fr. James is encouraged to move forward with confidence, knowing that the God who called him will never abandon him.
By Sr. Vera Tina Woelinam Tay, HHCJ (Catholic Sister Communicators Network, CASCON-GH)
