Takoradi observes Palm Sunday with church services and procession

Christians in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis attended church services and embarked on processions to celebrate Palm Sunday, which marks the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem more than 2000 years ago.

Palm Sunday also marks the end of the five-weeks Lenten period to begin the suffering and passion of Jesus Christ.

Many of the churches in the Metropolis were filled to capacity with the premises decorated with palm fronds.

Some members processed through some principal streets of Takoradi amidst brass band music, waving their palm fronds and singing Hosanna.

At the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral Church, Reverend Father Dominic Nelson Tawiah, the main celebrate of the mass, in a sermon, called on Christians to use the day to reflect on the passion and suffering of Christ to save humanity.

He underscored the importance of the Holy Cross to the Catholic Church, noting that it was on the cross that Jesus Christ died to save mankind, and said they should, therefore, not be shy to recognise the importance of the cross in their evangelism.

He told the parishioners not to behave like the Jews who welcomed Christ with palm branches and only turned round to shout “crucify Him” because He did not meet their expectations.

Father Tawiah said though the Jews saw the cross as a symbol of shame and suffering, the crucifixion of Christ on the cross changed everything.

He said the people of old thought Jesus was going to be a king on earth forgetting that His kingdom was in heaven.

Father Tawiah told Christians that they were heaven-bound and live lives worthy of emulation, which would send them to heaven, instead of depending on earthly things.

He urged all to use the Passion Week to get closer to God so that the five weeks of Lent would yield some fruits.

Father Tawiah urged them to use the holy week to reflect on their lives and make amends where they had fallen short.

Prayers were said for the church, nation and its leaders as well as for peace, unity and development.