I cannot believe that it is already time to bid
farewell to Fr. George! Where have four months
gone? I have personally enjoyed his presence in the
rectory, his help, and his friendship. I wish he could
stay forever, but he has to return home to Ghana. I’m
sure you join me in giving him a warm thanks for his
service to us. I know we will never forget him. Fr.
George, you are always welcome at St. Denis, so
please consider this your American home. We will
miss you, and we wish you all of God’s blessings in
your future ministry to the people of Ghana.
I am pleased to inform you that Fr. George
will be replaced by Fr. James Annor-Ohene. Fr.
James was my assistant for about eleven years in St.
Ann’s, and I know you will love him. He will be with
us for July and August. There is also a second priest
from Ghana coming to help us just for the month of
July while I am away on vacation: Fr. Francis O.
Bawuah.I’m sure you will welcome Fr. James and Fr.
Francis as warmly as you have welcomed Fr. Martin
and Fr. George.
I had a brief phone conversation this week
with Fr. Peter, the priest who is applying for an R1
visa that allows him to stay in the USA longer, who
will be coming to assist me for a much longer period
of time. He says his paperwork is in process, and he
hopes he will be able to come to us soon.
Finally, I spoke with Fr. Pat about when he
would like to come back and celebrate one last Mass
with us. He needs more time before he’ll be able to
have the energy for a full Mass, so he has set Sunday,
September 25th as the day he will celebrate his belated
50th anniversary as well as a Mass in thanksgiving for
his many years of service to us here at St. Denis.
Hopefully by then he will have his strength back so
he can join us for Mass as well as for a party in his
honor.