Thursday, August 18, 2022
As they begin their journey back to the Diocese of Scranton today, Bishop Bambera, Fr. Shatillo and Fr. Clarke wanted to say thank you to all the people they met while on their pastoral visit in the Diocese of Sunyani.
They say each person welcomed them warmly and provided so much assistance, making their trip life-giving and soul-striring.
They look forward to sharing more of the blessings they have received once they return home.
The group would especially like to thank the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop Sunyani, for his invitation, welcome and dedication to making sure they were able to see so many sites during their week-long visit.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Bishop Bambera, Father Shantillo and Father Clarke began the morning by visiting Kwasi Bourkrom, the hometown of the late Bishop James Kwadwo Owusu, who served at the first bishop of the Diocese of Sunyani. The Diocese itself will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023
The delegation also visited a local hospital. Photos of the visit are included below. There is even a picture of the waiting area for families of patients.
Later in the morning, Bishop Bambera also visited the first church in the Diocese of Sunyani which has now been turned into a technical school for the Diocese.
The group, escorted by the current Bishop of Sunyani, also visited a girls high school which educates 1,300 students. They also visited a nursing school which was started by the Diocese.
In the afternoon, they visited an outdoor marketplace in Sunyani.
In the evening, Bishop Bambera celebrated Mass with youth from the Diocese of Sunyani at Christ the King Cathedral. It was the last major Eucharistic celebration he offered in Ghana .
During his homily, he told the young adults they are the “now of God,” the Church alive today and our worlds greatest hope.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Bishop Bambera’s Video for Tuesday
As Bishop Bambera, Father Shantillo and Father Clarke continued their pastoral visit to Ghana, they went outside the city of Sunyani.
They visited Saint Anthony’s Health Centre in Badu, which is in the midst of a very sparsely populated area outside of Sunyani.
The delegation also stopped at a mission church along the way and saw what houses in the rural area of the region look like. People in these communities still get their water from a well in their village.
The Bishop shared a photo of the roads that are used to get into villages. He says the photo “appears” to be smooth, but the trip is bumpy.
The diocesan delegation also got to tour a Church in a larger village that is currently under construction (and has been for years) but still provides a worship space every Sunday.
The Bishop also got to visit with dozens of students who attend Saint Stephen Preparatory School.
Monday, August 15, 2022
Bishop Bambera’s Videos for Monday
Visit to Saint James High School Seminary
Aug. 15, 2022
Monday morning began with a 6:30 a.m. Mass at Saint James High School Seminary. The Mass was go joyfilled and uplifting and lasted for more than four hours. The high school seminary has more than 900 students, about 200 of whom are in the very first stage of seminary formation. In their conversations with the Bishop, many said they are intent upon continuing in formation for the priesthood.
Later in the day, the Scranton delegation visited other parishes and institutions in the Sunyani Diocese including a sewing factory that makes vestments and school uniforms. The amazing thing is it all started with a donation of three industrial-sized sewing machines to a diocesan priest and the facility now teaches women an important skill and empowers them to open their own businesses.
We hope you also enjoy the touching photo of Fr. Clarke outside of the factory who quickly made friends with many of the children.
Our diocesan delegation also got to meet with Sisters of the Incarnate Word, one of whom just moved into the Cathedral Convent in Scranton and will be studying at the University of Scranton. They also got to visit the Catholic University of Ghana that just established. 20 years ago.
During their travels, the group also got to see some more modern housing in the Diocese, compared to what was shared on Sunday. They also wanted to share a photo of a termite mound which are all over the region and can sometimes reach six feet tall.
In the evening, Bishop Bambera was pleased to meet the parents/families of all eight priests from Sunyani who are currently assigned to Scranton. It was a tremendous blessing to share food and fellowship and the Bishop personally thanked all of them for so generously sharing their sons with our community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Today was the final day of the five-day celebration for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which has brought thousands of people to Mary Queen of Peace Grotto.
Bishop Bambera was honored to serve as the principal celebrant for the closing Mass. He brought greetings and sentiments of great esteem and gratitude from all people in the Diocese of Scranton.
During his homily, Bishop Bambera reminded the 15,0000 people who attended the Mass that Mary is faithfulness rewarded…she is now where we hope to be at the end of our journey of life and faith.
In addition to the celebration of Mass, the Bishop got to tour some of the areas that are most in need of help and support. While there are many modest homes, there are also so many places that can continue to use our support as brothers and sister in Christ.
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Bishop Bambera, Fr. Shantillo and Fr. Clarke began the day by getting to tour the Sunyani Cathedral. The Cathedral was dedicated to the glory of God on November 25, 1990, the Feast of Christ the King.
They then travel to Queen of Peace. Grotto for the celebration of Mass for the third day of the Sunyani Diocese’s Assumption celebration. The homilist for the Mass was Fr. Clement Amankwah Yeboah, who recently returned to Sunyani after serving in the Diocese of Scranton. Fr. Clement is now serving as Diocesan Chancellor in Sunyani.
The Mass attended by thousands of people who celebrate their faith outdoors. Representatives from every parish attend the celebration.
Bishop Bambera remarked that the sprinkling rite at each Mass is incredible with people literally asking to be soaked with water as sign of blessing.
At 6:30 p.m., a Marian procession and devotion also took place. The candlelight procession was extremely moving and faith -filled.
Friday, August 12, 2022
On their first full day in Ghana, Bishop Bambera, Fr. Shantillo and Fr. Clarke began the hour journey from Ghana’s capital city of Accra to Sunyani.
They visited a local outdoor market where yams, cassava, veggies and fish are available for sale. Along the way, they found many roads are under construction. Sometimes, cattle crossing close the roads as well?
Their travels also took them to the fishing industry of Cape Coast. Bishop Bambera also made an intentional stop at Cape Coast Castle. That castle is one of dozens of “slave castles” built on the Gold Coast of Africa by European traders. They were used to hold slaves before they were put on ships and sold in the Americas.
Two of the photos below show what is call the “Door of No Return” because it was the last experience many men and women had in their homeland before their final departure and for those who didn’t make it to the new world, the castle was the last place thy saw on land..
Please offer a prayer today for the millions of people who languished at the hands of slavers.
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Bishop Bambera’s Video for Thursday
After flying out of an airport in New York City late Wednesday night, Bishop Bambera, Fr. Shantillo and Fr. Clarke arrived in Accra on August 11, 2022. That is where they spent the first night before they travelled to Sunyani on Friday.
They were give a very warm welcome by their hostess Pat and got a chance to see a few sites before beginning the main part of their journey on Friday.
