Feast of St. Joseph’s celebrated in Monrovia

Mangaloretoday/Release

Report by Wilfred Lawrence DSouza

Monrovia, Liberia ,Sunday, 5th of May 2013: It was certainly a Red Letter Day, A Day of Jubilation, A Day of Thanksgiving and not the least a day of Surprises for the parishioners of St. Joseph’s Parish, Monrovia as they celebrated the Patronal Feast in honor of St. Joseph, the worker.  Yes, the Surprise was the unexpected Visit of the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Rev. Fr. Charles Boyce, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, who was representing the Archbishop Lewis Zeigler celebrated the Solemn High Mass with other concelebrants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though the new church is still under construction, it was tastefully decorated with St. Joseph holding the centre stage for the day. The 80 member strong choir rose to the occasion to make the day’s liturgy more prayerful and exuberant. The Celebrant in his homily highlighted the role of St. Joseph   the Worker. Work he said for St. Joseph was not a burden but an expression of faith and love to build the Kingdom of God as the Head of the Holy Family. He emphasized the dignity of Labour, and called on every individual to look at Labour not in a negative way but more in a positive way; since all men and women are called by God to build His kingdom,  a Kingdom of Justice, Peace, Love and Unity.

He crowned his homily with the significant role played by  Mary the Mother of God in the plan of salvation, in the history of the Church  and especially in ones individual and community life. He said Mother Mary has always been a constant guide and protector in the struggles of the Church from its inception. He exhorted the congregation to emulate St. Joseph and Our Lady.

He also praised the efforts of the Parish Community who undertook to rebuild a new church in place of the existing old one, which had completed 50 years of its existence and had become too small to hold the growing number of parishioners
After the Post Communion Prayer, The winners of the Special Bible Quiz were presented with gift hampers and the video CD of the special Lenten Renewal Programme, conducted by Rev. Fr. Walter Mendonca, SVD  was released .  Mrs. Venice Dean, the Chairperson for Diocesan Sacred Heart Society, who released the CD’s, presented the first copies to the first Lady of the Country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Ambrose Mann who compered the programme gave a brief report of the progress made so far in the construction of the Church .

The President, who took part in the whole celebration, was delighted to see the vibrant congregation and the excellent celebration.  The Parish Community thanked her for her    visit and honoured her with an exquisite souvenir.

The celebration ended with a graceful rendering of the National Anthem. The day’s programme continued  with  festive lunch  for all who were present and the day ended with the  raffle draw.

Rev. Fr. Lionel Xavier SDB, Rector & Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Jose Valiplackel SDB, Principal of Don Bosco Technical School, Deacon Daniel Libby, Mr. Winston Tubman, former Opposition Leader, Mr  Chris Wallace, Deputy Minister for Planning & Economic Affairs, Mr. Neto Liegh, Acting Minister for Labour, Mr. Moses Zinnah, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Senator Cletus Wotorson, Cllr. Betty Blamo, Solicitor General, Mr. Ambrose Nmah, Director General of Liberia Broadcasting System, Ambassador Gang Beng, the Cameroon Ambassador to Liberia, Govt officials and many others were present on the occasion.