Accra Christian Mothers Hold 2025 Lenten Retreat at Ashaiman
March 8, 2025, converged at the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ashaiman for their Lenten Retreat on the theme: Mothers, Pilgrims of Hope on a despaired journey Exodus 14:13
Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Kofi Hanson, a Priest of the Archdiocese of Accra, preached the day’s retreat and led in other spiritual activities: praying of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Confessions, Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, and Holy Mass.
with Christ Jesus, there would always be hope, pointing out that the first principle to bring hope to Christians is the understanding of the word which became flesh;.
By Damian Avevor
As part of the Rosary led by the Ashaiman Deanery, the members prayed for Mothers who need the fruit of the womb, the safety and well-being of all mothers and pregnant mothers, and children especially those in school.
During the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, they prayed for the total restoration of health for the Holy Father Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, and all Christian Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, and Son.
Speaking on the theme, Fr. Hanson said as Mothers, they were true pilgrims of hope which must be reflected in their lives as they journey along with their families and people they encounter in their lives.
He asked them as pilgrims of hope to always lay down their lives for others, advising that as pilgrims, they have to be decorous in their speeches in public. He lamented how some Catholics speak loosely in public without recourse to their faith, affirming that there is always hope amid challenges.
He lauded Mothers for their continuous love for their children and the constant hope they give to them through their charitable acts, appealing to them as part of their pilgrimage journey, to continue to support the legacy of Hope Children Hospital project of the Accra Archdiocese.
Urging mothers to own and hold their children tightly, Fr. Hanson asked them to ensure that they (children) did not fall prey to the negative tendencies of the world especially the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ).
“You have to be vigilant on your children, they (LGBTQ) proponents are changing the mindset of our children through their secret activities,” he cautioned, entreating them also to ensure their Catholic children do not join the Freemasons or any other anti-Catholic groups.
Fr. Hanson reminded the mothers to ensure their children do not engage in social vices like alcoholism, indecency, and immorality. He condemned the innovations creeping into the Catholic Church like “Rep Your Jersey, Rep Your School,” a situation he noted the Church must guard against since it was having influences on the youth.
He expressed worry that “because of COVID-19, we have replaced our Holy Water at the entrances of our Churches with sanitizers,” praying that the use of the Holy water would be restored since there is power in it.
He said with Christ Jesus, there would always be hope, pointing out that the first principle to bring hope to Christians is the understanding of the word which became flesh; secondly, the frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist; thirdly, frequenting the confessional to confess our sins and the Praying of the Rosary because there is power in the Rosary.
A Mass presided over by Fr. Hanson and concelebrated by Fr. Edmund Neizer, the Vocations Director of Accra Archdiocese, and Fr. Emmanuel Acheampong, concluded the Retreat during which the Archdiocesan Executives and Deanery President were blessed.