Acknowledge role of choir in Church growth - Bishop Kwofie

His Lordship Bishop, John Bonaventure Kwofie of the Sekondi -Takoradi Catholic Diocese has asked choristers to realise the important role they play in the spiritual and physical growth of the Church.

He said singing and songs affect human life, they celebrate happy events, motivate, and summarize the character and aspiration of societies, organizations and the faith community. "Launched from the heart, they touch our emotions and influence our thinking and performance".

Bishop Kwofie was delivering a sermon to climax the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Holy Rosary Choir of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral in Takoradi, under the theme, "Celebrating Evangelism through the song".

The church also used the occasion to present certificates to 23 catechists, who had successfully completed their training.

Members of the Diocesan Laity Council were also present to give thanks for a successful Laity Council Seminar as well as members of the Knights and Ladies of St John International, who were also present to mark the nativity of their Patron Saint John De Baptist.

Bishop Kwofie commended the Knights and Ladies of St John International and the Laity Council for their immense contribution towards the development of the Church.

He said without the laity Council the church would not be complete and tasked them to perform their duties efficiently.

On the choir, he said for fifty years, the Holy Rosary choir had touched the lives of people and influenced their ways of doing things.

"You have generously served God's people in order to bring us closer to God, as the theme of the golden Jubilee suggests, praise Him with mind and voice. Your choir has given testimony to God’s word, uplifted the souls and hearts of many at liturgical assemblies, this is an imitation of the countless choir of Angels that sing ceaselessly to God".

He noted that whatever responsibility or duty each person is given in the society, if well executed, would serve as the ticket or visa to heaven.

Bishop Kwofie paid a glowing tribute to the pioneers who foresaw the great need of the Church and subsequently laid the foundation for the Holy Rosary Choir.

He also expressed gratitude to the choristers for their devoted service, adding "may the anniversary celebration be a moment of reflection on your responsibility in serving God through singing".

The Holy Rosary choir, which was founded by Mr Ignatius Kweku Peters in June 1968, with some knights of the Altar, now has a membership of about 500.

In the fifty years of the choir, it has been able to form 13 youth choirs in the dioceses, purchase an organ for the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral, engaged in charity works as well as instituted an educational fund for the children of a departed member.

Mr Michael Apetorgbor President of the choir said the 50th milestone is to be marked with the setting up of an Endowment fund to help needy members and others to pursue higher education.