Report By Bernard K DADZIE
Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic Youth Choir, Awoshie Anyaa has celebrated its second edition of Yesu Anwanwa Do Easter Choral Concert, dubbed " AMAZING LOVE".
A programme which had its inception in 2019 to commemorate the Easter festivities and to fraternize members of the Awoshie-Anyaa and Kaneshie Deanery, was held on the 24th of April, 2022 with performances by choral groups from within and outside the Parish.
The programme which attracted lots of parishioners, especially those fond of choral music, commenced almost two and half hours after the scheduled time (4:30pm) at the Saint Francis Of Assisi Main Chapel. Amidst sound checks by Emmanuel Bartey's Production, one of the Ghana’s enterprising sound production teams.
The programme officially started with an opening prayer by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ocran, the parish Youth Chaplain, together with Rev. Fr. Puis Kofi Asare Parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Eugene Antwi Boasiako, Provincial Custos of the Conventual Franciscan Friars in Ghana, Mr. Stephen Ebow Hagan , special guest, Mr. Edward Buckman choir patron, Mr. Johannes Hotor, Choir Patron, Mr. John Appah , Church President.
Performances for the day kicked off with the Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic Youth Choir led by Bernard Kwame Dadzie, rendering songs by renowned composers, James Varrick Armaah Debony3ni, I"ll praise him, Obiara Ntse S3 Wo, Daniel A Tetteh, Anwanwa Do, Yesu Adom, Rev. Newlove K Annan Odo Moroso, Jesus No Do, I am so glad by Philip Bliss , W'asore Afi Ewufo Mu by Prof Yaw Sekyi Baidoo
The rest are, Christ Edzi Kunyim by De Graft Johnson, Catholic Hymn 200, I know my redeemer lives, Catholic Hymn 189, You Choirs Of New Jerusalem. The choir also sung the Hallelujah Chorus by G.F Handel to climaxed the occasion.
Their energetic and classy performance led by their dancing conductor, Mrs Paulina Essel "Choir mother" attracted a resounding applause as they left the stage for the next participating choir to have their turn.
The Holy family singing band, led by Francis Arthur Followed up with their performances of Enigys3m kase , Christ Nyame W'asore nn3 , Aseda Nyinaa y3 wode, followed by Instruments of Peace, Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic church band and many more.
The program was a success in spite of a heavy rainfall. The audience were also appreciated for making it to such a programme especially on a weekend when people can hardly make time off their busy schedules to turn up for events.
The effort of the leadership of the choir Executives was applauded for organizing such an event which goes a long way to promote choral music in the Kaneshie Deanery and the country as well.
In his welcome address, Mr. Stephen Ebow Hagan, the special guest for the Occasion, mentioned that many people have been sacrificing through singing. Coming for rehearsals at odd hours is not easy.
He therefore urged the choirsters to continue singing to glorify the Almighty God. "I want you all to continue singing and as we tell teachers your reward is in Heaven, you shall also receive your reward in heaven."
"You are very important to the church. I want you to remember that is not to say that there cannot be mass without a choir but you are very important. And therefore continue what your are doing. Sometimes when I see people who are about 60 or 70 years telling me that i have been in the choir since I was 12-13 years, i admire them so much," he stated.
A couple of weeks ago, we commemorated the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. In his account of that event, he said Saint Luke writes that the multitude of Jesus's disciples that followed him begun to sing his praises, but the Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples and ask them to keep quiet. Our Lord Jesus responded that if these keep quiet, the stones would shout.
In other words, if we, humans, keep quiet, the stones will shout in praise of God. God is able to command the stones to praise him. "We have gathered to praise God because we do not want to keep quiet for stones to praise. If, out of love for us God did not spare his own son. If out of love and mercy for us God ransomed His own son sinful people like us, then what motivation do we need to sing His praise?
To Mr Hagan, whenever we gather to praise God in songs, especially as a choir, they should count themselves privileged. "We do not need any external motivation before we sing God's praise. The motivation must be intrinsic; it must come from within, and we should always be mindful of the fact that whoever sings in praise or worship of God, prays twice, and the music is always food for the soul."
Mr. Edward Buckman, the Choir Patron and Former president of Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic church emphasized that there are lot of sacrifices that choristers are giving to the church, but the sacrifices are not for the church alone but for themselves.
"Sometimes when you sing , you should listen to the words of the song coming from your mouth, coming from your heart and coming from you, as the Words go to enrich your own prayer life before it affects another. So it's not in vain that you are doing this to the glory of God, but to your own spiritual upliftment and benefits as well."
According to Mr Edward Buckman, people attend services and come back home unhappy or feeling bored. Sometimes you ask them and their response is that the choir didn't sing well today.
" You are playing a significant role to yourself and you are touching the lives of other persons. So please take your singing seriously and your efforts will not be in vain. God is rewarding you in many other areas that you may not even know. So continue with the commitment, and God will always bless you. You are doing well your coming to practice in the evening and all other times is not easy," Mr. Buckman.
In her brief remarks, the Vice president of Saint Francis Of Assisi Youth Choir Miss Felicia Nkum, admonished the audience to emulate the exemplary nature of Christ.
She stated that Christians need to be true disciples of Jesus and let the light of Christ shine in every sphere of their life. Quoting from Proverbs 22:1, She advised Youth to be honest in spite of the challenges in the world.
Miss Felicia Nkum, urged all christians to shine as lights in this dark world of sin and be an example to their peers not only in singing but spiritual matters is very important.
For her part, the President of Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic Youth Choir, Elvis Bele-Vuusong Bemile , explained that "YESU ANWANWADO" was generated by Choir master, Mr. Bernard K. Dadzie in 2019 to celebrate the marvelous things the Lord has done for the choir since its inception. And also to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ for His Amazing love to humanity, the ransom price He paid for our sins on the cross at Calvary.
According to the Choir President, the first edition was in 2019 a week after Easter to climax the fifteenth anniversary of the choir.
After YESU ANWANWADO 2019, he said the concert was adopted and became one of the church's yearly approved programs. Due to Covid-19 and all its restrictions, the choir has not been able to organize this program as planned some two years ago.
"By the grace and mercy of God, we are witnessing the second edition of the concert.
As we are all gathered here this evening, we entreat you to put all your cares on the risen Lord, meditate on the lyrics of the songs and believe in your heart that you are not living here as you came."