Very Reverend Fathers Stephen Dabanka (right) and Dr Augustine Owusu Addo (left) celebrated the Silver Jubilee to the priesthood on 24th October 2015 at St. Anthony Cathedral, Goaso. Both priests were ordained into the Catholic Priesthood in Sunyani on 21st July 1990.
In attendance were some classmates and dignitaries like Most Rev Peter Atuahene, Catholic Bishop of Goaso, Most Rev Dominic Nyarko Yeboah, the Catholic Bishop of Techiman, Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Afriyie, Secretary General, National Catholic Secretariat, Nana Ansah Adu Baah, the Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area, Nana Afuah Sarpong, Akwaboahemaa – Kumasi, Mrs Florence Opoku Anokye based in London, U.K, the Acting Vice Chancellor and the Staff of the Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre, Priests and Religious from several Dioceses.
Fr Dabanka, the Principal Celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration, is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Goaso and the Parish Priest of Our Lad y of Perpetual Succour – Mim. Fr Owusu Addo, who is a Lecturer at the Catholic University College of Ghana gave the homily and recounted the blessings they had received from the Lord for the past 25 years in the priesthood. He also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Bishop, Priests and Religious, Parents, Benefactors and Benefactresses, Friends, the Lay Faithful and all those present at the celebration. According to him 25 years in the priesthood is not a “certificate” for retirement but an opportunity for them to serve as servant-leadership”
Various presentations in the form of gifts and goodwill messages were given. Rev. Fr. Martin Adjei, the secretary of Goaso Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, on behalf of the Bishop and the priests intimated among other things that with deep joy, we, your brothers in the ministry offer you our warmest congratulations and most fervent good wishes on the happy event of the 25TH ANNIVERSARY of your ordination to the priesthood. You were ordained into the Catholic Priesthood, by the grace of God and also by your clear demonstration of faithfulness, honesty and love for the salvation of souls. Wherever you have been assigned to serve, you exhibited commitment, dedication, humility, moral uprightness, priestly maturity and love for the church”.
He further said that, “It was precisely the consideration of these virtues, which has constantly marked your priestly life, which induced His Lordship, Most Rev. Peter Atuahene to appoint you as members of the College of Consultors and Senators. ... For the past 25 years, you have been role models to so many young men and women of our generation. On this occasion, which is so significant for you, we pray the Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for the choicest heavenly favours for you, for your ministry and for all your loved ones.
CONGRATULATIONS! FR. DABANKA, CONGRATULATIONS! FR. OWUSU ADDO.
The Jubilants (middle) with Most Rev Peter Atuahene (right) and Most Rev Dominic Nyarko Yeboah (left) and the Concelebrants