Lay down your lives for your friends and country - Palmer Buckle to congregants

The Metropolitan Arch-Bishop of Accra, Palmer Gabriel Buckle on Monday paid a pastoral visit to the Madina Deanery where all the Catholic faithful gathered to celebrate their Easter Picnic at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Adenta.

He used the occasion to exchange greetings at the various stands and later in his pastoral Easter message called on the faithful to imitate Lord Jesus Christ by learning to be humble, selfless and by showing love to one another.

He urged them to sacrifice and lay down their lives for friends and country and prayed that the Lord would protect all in this new year of resurrection.

The Madina Deanery is comprised of the Catholic Churches from and within Adenta area namely; The Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Seat of Wisdom Oyarifa, Our Lady of Fatima Abokobi, St John of God Amrahia, St Cecilia Foster Home, St Mark Ashongman Estate, St Agnes Dodowa, St Charles Boromeo Oyibi, St John Paul Danfa, St Francis Of Assisi Ashaley Botwe, Our Lady of Apostles Madina Zongo, St Hubert Agomeda, St Peters Ayikuma, and Saints Peter and Paul Teyemang,(The Deanry has 22 parishes and out stations).

Mr Michael Nana-Darkwa, a member of the Local Organising Committee who was Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the programme said the mass was organised by various parishes on Monday morning at 0630 hours to commence the Easter Picnic.

Games such as; Football matches, Lime and Spoon race, Sack racing, Eating competition, Owari, Ludu, Playing Cards, Local dish cooking competition, Musical chairs and bouncing Castle were organised to entertain the youth.

Reverend Father John Benyah Mensah, the Dean of Madina Deanry and the parish Priest of Saint John the Evangelist Adenta, said the Easter Picnic was part of the 125-year anniversary of the Arch Diocese of Accra with its six deaneries.