Hereflected on the Deacons’ role in addressing the real needs of the community, comparing them to the seven Deacons chosen in Acts 6 to serve at tables.
“The Archdiocese of Accra has many tables today: the table of the poor, the table of the sick, the table of the forgotten, the table of families under pressure, tables of land under degradation, the table of a land suffering under galamsey, and the table of young students searching for meaning. You are being ordained to serve at these tables,” he emphasized.
The Headmaster of Aquinas Senior High School, Accra, who themed his homily “Grounded in Service”, highlighted the link between service and authority within the Church.
“Service forms the minister before authority is entrusted to him. Service forms the Priest before authority is entrusted to him. Service forms the Bishop before authority is entrusted to him. And anyone who cannot faithfully serve as a Deacon will struggle to shepherd humbly as a Priest,” Fr. Appah said.
Focusing on the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:13-16, he reminded the Deacons-elect and the faithful of their identity as the salt and light of the world, explaining that these elements exist for the sake of others, not themselves.
“Salt and light are rooted in service. These elements find their true meaning when they are employed to serve,” he said.
Fr. Appah further urged them to let their integrity and humility shine brighter than their titles or vestments, reminding them that “today you have been lit as seven lamps not to beautify the sanctuary but to light the way for God’s people. For a light that does not guide is merely a decoration.”
Fr. Appah urged the Deacons-elect to be credible witnesses who combine prayer, emotional maturity, intellectual seriousness, and pastoral availability.
“May your service as deacons be firmly grounded in service, faithful at the altar, generous to God’s people, and steadfast in humility until the day the Lord calls you to serve as Priests,” he said.
He also thanked the families of the Deacons-elect and encouraged the Archdiocese to support the new Deacons with prayer and patience, describing them as “work in progress.”
