Rev. Fr. Martin Asiedu-Peprah, Vice Rector, St. Peter’s Regional Major Seminary (Pedu), Cape Coast, has called on Christians to embark on intensive evangelization to change society for the better.
He made reference to the attitude of early Christians and their attachment to repentance, humility, and prayer, and recommended that they should serve as a model for today’s Christian life.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu-Peprah was speaking at a convention/retreat organized by the Ghanaian Catholic Apostolate Laity Council at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in the Bronx, New-York City.
Themed "By his grace we have been saved through faith”; it attracted over 300 delegates from seven apostolates in New-York, New-Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu-Peprah said Paul’s radical transformation after his encounter with Jesus Christ is another model through which the Christian faith can be nourished.
“Paul’s enthusiasm and zeal, as well as his readiness to suffer for the sake of Christ and the gospel should inspire all of us to become committed in our Christian life”.
Using biblical evidence to further illustrate his point, Rev. Fr. Asiedu-Peprah said Christian life is a call to discipleship, and there is the need for Christians to demonstrate extra agility and humility in their calling so that they can serve the church and society truthfully.
He called for strict adherence to religious life, explaining that it can impact social, spiritual and the cultural development of any society.
Christians, he said, should live in holiness and in peace. This, he said, would suppress the craving for “worldly pleasures”, some of which can lead to a crescendo of problems that can also endanger lives.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu-Peprah told the gathering: “ extend help to the disadvantaged in society as that represents a meaningful contribution to the social development of your communities, which is also linked to Christian principles and beliefs”
Chaplain to the Council, Rev. Fr. Justin Mensah, reminded Catholics about the power of healing in the various sacraments of the church, and urged them to increase their faith through intensive prayers.
Fr. Mensah, therefore, called on the congregation to improve their spiritual life and exhibit high level of reverence to the church. He advised Catholics: “do not relegate to the background your contribution to moving the church forward”.
Anthony Boadu, chairman of the Laity Council, said the convention/retreat has been well accepted by Ghanaian Catholics as an “annual ritual” that offers a platform for prayers, as well as renewal of faith in the glory of God.
Rev. Fr. Robert Arce, Parish Priest of Convention/retreat host church- St. Margaret Mary’s in the Bronx, said it is essential for Christians to develop a prayer life as a means to winning more souls for Christ.
Rev. Fr. Arce advised participants not to be selfish but share gains from the convention/retreat with those who could not attend, saying: “with this you will build a strong community for yourselves to consolidate a strong Catholic faith”.
The congregation prayed for peace in Ghana and the United States as both countries prepare for general elections before the end of the year.
They asked for God’s guidance in choosing capable and development-oriented leaders to climax this one-day spiritual revival.
