Easter at Stella Maris Parish

After a hectic arrangement, the two Churches of the parish, Star of the Sea and Holy Family converged at the later, for the Easter midnight Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. John Kwofie CSSp, Spiritans Superior from Rome.

In his sermon, Fr. Kwofie said he was impressed with the quality of participation. "Mass Servers and all were seen preparing for this day," he said. He said because of good leadership every one was involved happily. "It is like an aeroplane, many people are involved before it flies," he said.

At Christmas the vigil is for Christ's birth, this Easter is a similar announcement, "Christ our Lord is not here, He has risen." This is what brought us here and the root of our faith is here.

The sin of Adam has brought us joy and the message today is rejoice. "If anything is holding you not to rejoice please rejoice. The Bible told us today how man lived. The mountains may fall, hills crumble but the Word of God stands forever," Fr. Kwofie said.

Fr. Kwofie said two women wanted to anoint Jesus' body but they wondered who was to pull the stone but He was not there. He quoted Matthew as telling us that an angel had moved the stone and gone. "Jesus of Nazareth is not here, He is risen." An angel gave order to the apostles to go to Galilee to meet Christ there.

He further said that Jesus started in Galilee, in the city of the Gentiles the place of pagans. He said that is where Christ said His mission was. "We too can minister to those in different areas and those in need," he said. Fr. Kwofie baptised and confirmed four candidates.

What does the empty tomb mean? He asked. "Some are buried in the tomb of jealousy, greed, tomb of anger causing you high blood. Get out of the tomb and get into a new tomb. May we be renewed at this Easter in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen," he said.