The Techiman Diocese has marked the 65th anniversary of the formation of Catholic Women Association (CWA) in Ghana, founded by the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ).
The Association celebrated this anniversary on their annual family feast of the Holy Family from January 9 to 12, 2025 at the Our Lady of Calvary Grotto, Techiman, Ghana.
The CWA was established in 1959 by the HHCJ Sisters at Saltpond in the Central Region of Ghana, few months after the congregation arrived in Ghana.
Mother Mary Gertrude Waturucha, HHCJ and Sister Mary Pius Andrew, HHCJ both of blessed memory, founded the Association at Saltpond, the first of its kind in Ghana.
The national celebration was marked in Cape Coast while other Dioceses also marked at the Diocesan levels.
In the Techiman Diocese, there were a series of programmes from Thursday, 9th to 12th of January 2025 when they climaxed the celebration.
In a homily to climax the anniversary, Rev. Isaac Lamalu, a Deacon who was the homilist urged the faithful especially the CWA members to be people of prayer.
According to him, the prayer of Jesus made it clear for him to discern the thoughts that God had for him.
The Deacon noted that through prayer, God can reveal to us what he wants of us, and we can also discern what God wants of us if we take our prayer life seriously.
The second thing he admonished the women is their baptism which is grace from God.
Baptism, he said, gives grace to reject all ungodly ways.
Things that are contrary to true witnessing of God. If we believe that we are true Christians and true women of God, we must stop petty quarrels in our quest for authority, gossips, and other earthly pleasures and praises that will not lead us anywhere, Rev. Isaac advised.
There is no doubt that the association is doing a lot in service to God and humanity, but as Catholic Women, we need to do more, we must be virtuous women, women of peace, women who unite our families and exemplary women worthy of emulation.
In attendance at the celebration were Very Rev. Fr. Dominic Asuahene, the Vicar General of the Techiman Diocese, Fr. Pius Frimpong, Rector of the Grotto, Sr. Ignatia Safowaa Buaben, HHCJ, National Chaplain of CWA, Sr. Mary Gyamfua, HHCJ, Councilor assigned to CWA and Sr. Veronica Thompson, HHCJ, Councilor at the diocesan level.
Many Priests, Seminarians, Novices and Religious especially the HHCJ Sisters also present at the the celebration.
By: Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Sister Communicator)
