The Order of Saint Peter and Paul in The Gambia commemorated their patron feast day at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Assumption in Banjul.
The Bishop of Banjul and many others graced the occasion.
In the recent past they had a Sponsored Walk to raise funds for the fencing of the Christian cemetery at Old Jeshwang. They are men with big hearts that want to see things done the right way and in time. Panorama did not waste time to see what their celebration was like and reports it all here.
Several members of the Fraternal Order of Saints Peter and Paul headed by Lawrence Bruce were gathered during Mass at the Cathedral in Banjul, with Fr. Edu Gomez the Cathedral Administrator as the chief celebrant concelebrated by Fr. Tony Sonko their chaplain and Bishop Robert Ellison CSSp. The Fraternal Order Sts. Peter and Paul society is a male society that is poised to help the poor and uplift the Church in their own way. Women, mostly close to the men graced the occasion.
"Celebrating the day does not mean the Saints had no faults, they had their little faults," Fr. Edu said.
He expressed that Peter denied Jesus but returned to Him again and became the main preacher on Pentecost day. "Someone who had said he did not know Christ later took the mantle from the Lord."
Saul, he said, became a fearless preacher. "It was Jesus' garment that touched him thus changing him from persecutor to a winner of souls. We know Timothy and many others who went about preaching. Today if the Church suffers persecution by the media, they should only know that we would not get tired of preaching and we shall always be true ambassadors of Christ," he said.
Addressing the Saints Peter and Paul Society members, Fr. Edu Gomez said they should preach fearlessly in their offices or business. "You and all other men should bear Christ. You should do as your patron Saints did. They are your mentors," he said. He encouraged them to continue their good work.
Lawrence Bruce, the Fraternal Order's president said: "Every year we celebrate in different parishes and we celebrate with our brothers and sisters. I thank our Chaplain, Fr. Tony Sonko, the Bishop and Fr. Edu Gomez and all those women and men and children that were part of the celebration."
Lawrence Bruce further invited George Gomez to launch their handbook that they would use to pray on a daily basis.
In his launching George Gomez said they have two celebrations; that is their day and the launching of the handbook. He praised their first president, TGG Senghore, whom he said had done well during his tenure in office. Charles Thomas, he added, as a Secretary played a big part in writing the constitution. "A brother to one of us printed them in UK and sold them for D50," he said.
George Gomez further pointed out the outstanding achievements of the Fraternal Order of Saints Peter and Paul, adding that the Order had organised the pilgrimage to Rome, have Scholarship scheme for the poor, participate in the Kunkujang Shrine and others. He said they would remember who wrote the handbook and it should be documented.
"We have improved on the handbook especially adding different prayers for different occasions.
TGG Senghore, George Gomez and others edited the book. We have tried to carefully avoid some sections like the office of Patron. We need to go to the grassroot to help our brothers," he said.
George Gomez launched the handbook and was sold for 200 Dalasi per copy.
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