Report by Bernard K Dadzie
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Youth Choir, poparly known as (Doves of Assisi) Awoshie-Anyaa in the Archdiocese of Accra, has been crowned as the best singing group in the parish for the year 2022.
On Sunday evening January 1st 2023, at the fashion and awards Dinner organized by the Parish Youth Council (PYC) held at the church premises, the Choir won a trophy as the best singing group in the Parish.
Doves of Assisi Youth Choir performs mainly choral music and wedding songs, Funerals Birthday Mass, traditional music, animate the first mass in every Sunday and also attend all church programs.
The choir is made up of mostly employed young Men and Women from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish and is under the directorship of Bernard Kwame Dadzie and experienced conductor double as choir mother Paulina Louisa Essel who always gives hope, advice and encouragement to the choir even when it faces serious challenges and constraints.
The Parish Youth Council (PYC) give their full support to the Choir in all possible ways. Since its establishment, Doves of Assisi Youth choir has been very successful and is steadily growing. The choir thanks God Almighty for making all things possible despite many challenges and parishioners for their continued support.
The nominations singing groups were, St. Francis of Assisi Senior choir,
Instruments of Peace Band, St. Michael singing Band, St. Francis of Assisi Youth Choir, Holy Family Akan kuo singing Band and St. Clare of Assisi choir.
The PPC Vice Chairperson Mrs. Appiah Nyankson congratulated the choir saying "you deserved the award, you perform so well at masses". She was later present a giant trophy to the Vice president of the choir Felicia Nkum and Paulina Louisa Essel Choir mother, accompany by the choir Secretary Hagar Amankwah and Theresa Bartey Organizer.
Receiving the trophy at the function, the choir mother Paulina Louisa Essel urged the choristers to let their faith and song ministration reflect in their lives since any negative attitude on their part could discourage a non-believer from converting to Christianity and for that matter Catholicism.
The vice president Mis Felicia Nkum, expressed her profuond gratitude to PYC for the award. She therefore encouraged the choristers to do more and urged them to learn from one another and also pray together as one family.
“We are also grateful to all our Patrons especially those on whose shoulders we have journeyed this far,” assuring that “we shall stay united and committed in our service to God and the Church," she added.
She also solicited for advice, care, love and support from parishioners to enable them reach greater heights in dispensing their God given talents
The Youth Choir on Sunday 8th January, 2023 initiated 5 new members respectively into the ministry of singing. urged the choristers to be committed, dedicated and loyal to the aims objectives of the Choir.
The priest asked them to be prepared to uphold the good name of the choir by leading good and exemplary lives and advised them to cooperate with their executives at all times to promote peace love and unity among the entire membership of the Youth Choir.
The new members were, Gloria Pokuaa Amankwah, Majorie Naa Ayorkor Nortey, Jackline Osei Aduwumwaah Grace Yaotse and Sabastin Atta Sekyi.
The choirsters pledged to Almighty God and fellow parishioners to lead in singing every Sunday, and all days of obligation, as well as all activities in which the Choir might be involved. They promised to avail themselves at all times, abide by the constitution and by-laws of the Choir; and to be good members of the Catholic Church.
The choirmaster Bernard K Dadzie challenged them to uphold the good name of the Doves of Assisi Youth Choir and be of good examples to the other members. Advised them to be disciplined in their endeavours, adding that without discipline they could not perform.
Doves of Assisi Youth Choir thanked God for his protection and asked God to continue shower his blessings upon all the members as the choir is prepare to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
The choir therefore express they are profuond gratitude to parishioners , especially patrons for their fatherly and motherly support that had made the group see the light of day.