Celebrating a significant milestone, the St. Francis Xavier Parish within the Damongo Diocese in Yapei, located in the Savannah Region has marked a quarter-century of it’s establishment under the theme: “Gratitude to God for 25 Years of Mission and Evangelization.”
The Bishop of the Damongo Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier, who presided over the celebration emphasized that jubilees serve as moments of thanksgiving for God’s blessings and achievements among his people.
According to him, the primary focus of the jubilee’s gratitude is the gift of faith, established with the purpose of sharing the gospel’s message with the community of Yapei and beyond aimed to guide individuals towards embracing faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the impact of the mission, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier highlighted the growth in church evangelization and faith since the parish’s inception as a small outstation under the Queen of Peace Parish – Buipe which later blossomed into four distinct outstations including St. Gabriel Fufulso Junction, St. Stephen Netereso, Kusowgu, and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Sangkpala.
In addition to spiritual influence, the Bishop said the parish has established educational institutions to uplift the youth and promote their well-being, naming the opening of schools like St. Francis Xavier Primary and Junior High School, Our Lady of the Rosary Primary and Junior High School in Sangkpala and similar institutions in Tuluwe and Fufulso( St. Gabriel primary and Junior High School) which has had a profound positive impact on the community’s youth.
Highlighting the broader mission of these educational initiatives, Bishop Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier stressed their role in fostering interfaith and interreligious dialogue, promoting peaceful coexistence, and drawing others to the faith.
He explained that beyond education, the parish has also been active in awarding scholarships, empowering women and addressing health and water needs in the area, demonstrating a commitment to holistic community development.
He noted that the jubilee, while a time of gratitude is also an occasion for reflection and forward-looking hope as Pope Francis articulated that, “jubilee years invite us to appreciate the past, recommit to our foundational vision, engage passionately in the present, and face the future with optimism”.
To continue flourishing, the St. Francis Xavier Parish was urged to prioritize key areas such as prayer, resource mobilization for evangelization support, deepening Christian formation, pastoral outreach, and strengthening interreligious and interfaith dialogue.
The origins of St. Francis Xavier Parish trace back to 1996 when it began as an outstation of St. Anne’s Parish in Damongo. Due to its distance, it was placed under the care of the missionaries of Africa.
Subsequently, with the creation of the Queen of Peace Parish in Buipe in 1995, St. Paul’s Catholic community in Yapei became an outstation of Buipe. Recognizing the potential for evangelization in Yapei and Kusowgu, the Diocese of Damongo invited the Holy Ghost Fathers to establish the parish, which officially opened its doors in September 1998 under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier.
The anniversary celebration committee extended gratitude to various individuals and groups, including the missionaries of Africa and the Society of the Divine Word, Archbishop Philip Naameh, the diocesan priests, government entities, traditional leaders, and parish staff and members for their contributions to the growth and success of St. Francis Xavier Parish.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Gogu Edwin
