Linking American and African Students Across the Miles at Christmas

Members of the St. Bede Partnership team visited with 5th grade students at St. Odilia Catholic School in Los Angeles December 1st, introducing local students to sights and sounds from Africa and new opportunities for global solidarity. St. Beders Ken Martinet, Lynda Hennon, and Ken Buckowski shared stories from their 2008 visit to Wa, Ghana, (West Africa) and helped the students create Christmas cards to send to students across the miles.

St. Odilia 5th grade students making Christmas cards for students in Ghana, West Africa...

Thank you St. Odilia 5th graders! Special thanks as well to the teachers and administrators at St. Odilia's who made this visit possible.

***********

Interested in having your students learn more about students in Africa and how they can unite with them in global solidarity?

St. Bede Partners will be visiting more schools and classrooms in 2010 to promote the message of global solidarity and consequently link students to new friends in Ghana. Contact ghana@bede.org if you have a school or organization with whom you'd like a St. Bede Partner to visit and present.

Fr. Greg's Thanksgiving Mass and 'Bon Voyage' Party

In true African style, St. Bede parishioners celebrated with Fr. Greg a final,Ghanaian-inspired Mass, complete with authentic Ghanaian music and liturgical dancers. A reception followed, allowing the 300 or so people gathered to say their individual good-byes to our friend, Fr. Greg, who has meant so much and inspired the Partnership from the very beginning.

We look forward to his return to St. Bede's and seeing him ourselves in Wa!

Catholic Relief Services' Thomas Awiapo Comments on Pres. Obama's Visit to Ghana

http://crs-blog.org/dear-president-obama/

Happy Anniversary!

It was one year ago, on July 22, 2008, that the Wa-St. Bede Mission Partnership was born.  

In one year the Partners have worked together to meet all three of the goals that were set in Wa last year:

• Core (steering) teams at both St. Bede's Parish and in the Wa Diocese
  
• A mission, vision, and goals statement emphasizing mutuality and longevity for the Partnership
• A common website linking and accessible to both Partner communities

Be sure to celebrate with a piece of cake, some red-red, or a Guinness! 

Fr. Greg Dongkore's Bon Voyage Party - August 30th

St. Bede is planning a fond farewell to our dear friend, Fr. Greg, as he leaves his home of 3 years and heads back to his home diocese of Wa, Ghana.

Festivities will be held on Sunday, August 30th, starting at 5:30pm with a special African-themed liturgy and then a reception following in the courtyard until 8:00pm.  Reception will include food, drink, music, memories, and gifts.

Please join us and sent Fr. Greg off in style!

St. Bede Parish introduced to new Website and Blog

In a video presentation after all the Masses today, the people of St. Bede the Venerable Parish were introduced to the new St. Bede the Venerable Parish website (www.bede.org) and this Blog. As requested by Bishop Bemele in Wa and the Partnership Team there, we have expanded our Internet presence in order to take another step in building and sustaining a long term, mutually beneficial relationship.

Please add your comments to any of the posts by clicking the green colored title of the post entry or the word "comments" below it. Your comments will be seen by all who visit this site in Africa, in the US, and throughout the world.

If you wish to become a contributor to this blog and add pictures and videos you would like to share, just send a e-mail to us at ghana@bede.org.

May we grow ever deeper in our understanding and appreciation of the Mystical Body of Christ!

Remembering Ghana

It has been about nine months since our team from St. Bede Church visited Ghana. The memories of that visit are still fresh and clear to me -- the joy of the people and the kindness they showed to us; the raw beauty of the land; the feeling of kinship that I took away with me. Let us not forget to pray for each other.

Vodaphone progress in Ghana

I learned that Vodaphone, the new Internet and mobile phone service provider in Ghana has set up a Foundation through the UN to advance social communication. Perhaps we can partner with them to use Wa as a test site and get them up faster in some type of distance learning situation with our school children. I'll share more as I learn more.

Fr. Severo's First Video for St. Bede

Children from Wa dancing the Bewaa, a dance of welcoming

Draft Mission Statement by Wa Partners

Mission, Vision, Goals & Objectives
DRAFT
By Wa Partners 2/25/09
Mission Statement:

The Wa-St Bede’s Mission Partnership is to sustain a long-term relationship of respect and solidarity by sharing of life and ministry characterized by mutuality and spirituality.

Vision Statement:

The Wa-St. Bede’s Mission Partnership aims at building and fostering a long-term mutual relationship between the people of the Wa Diocese and the people of St. Bede the Venerable Community in the areas of spirituality, education, health services and economic development through faith-sharing that leads to the holistic development of members of both parties.

Sustainability Efforts:

We feel that if the communication issue is tackled well, it will help the partnership to grow and develop. We should at all times be open to new developments that take place on both sides and adjust plans if need be. We feel the sustainability will improve if:
· Both parties are committed to the vision and mission as stated above
· Both parties make human and material resources available to enhance the growth of the partnership
· Both parties are open to new ways to let the partnership grow


Goals & Objectives:
(with some examples of potential strategies in parentheses)

Goal 1: Communication
Given our distance and different outlooks, the establishment of an effective communication system is a pre-requisite for the growth of the partnership.
Communication
Objective 1 Establish a website supported by both parties
Objective 2 Encourage networking through e-mailing and blog
Objective 3 Keep a common journal


Goal 2: Spirituality
Objective 1: Share best practices of parish ministries and organizations

Objective 2: Create opportunities for partners to enrich their spirituality through exchange of liturgical expressions, religious practices, prayer, and devotion.

Objective 3: Collaborate on providing opportunities for priests, vowed religious, and lay ministers to share best practices, remotely and through people exchanges.


Goal 3: Education
Objective 1: Collaborate on providing opportunities for teachers to share best practices, remotely and through people exchanges.

Objective 2: Collaborate on providing opportunities for student exchanges.
· Strategy 1: (letters)
· Strategy 2: (student exchanges)

Objective 3: Collaborate on providing opportunities for parents to share the value and struggles of educating their children and develop solutions.

Objective 4: Develop incentives for teachers to serve the rural communities of Wa.

Objective 5: Develop educational and financial resources such as scholarships, books, technologies, teacher training, and facilities for the improvement of education in Wa.
· Strategy 1: (gender-inclusive scholarships)
· Strategy 2: (John XXIII Center, higher education, leadership)
· Strategy 3: (books/Rotary International)


Goal 4: Health Services
Objective 1: Improve and increase access to health services in Wa Diocese.
· Strategy 1: (medical supplies)
· Strategy 2: (financial support for food pantries)
· Strategy 3: (financial support for school lunch programs)

Objective 2: Collaborate on providing professional development and continuing education opportunities for health practitioners and health educators.
· Strategy 1: (workshops, literature)

Objective 3: Develop and share best practices for food cultivation in Wa.

Objective 4: Increase access and availability of clean drinking water for rural communities in Wa.
· Strategy 1: (boreholes)


Goal 5: Economic Development
Objective 1: Develop and share best practices for small businesses in Wa.

Objective 2: Foster fair-trade and other business opportunities for women to benefit from trade and commerce.

Action Plan
In view of the importance we attach to communication the formation of a team for communication on both sides is important. The committee shall sustain open communication by sending write-ups for publication and pictures on significant events to the partners.
Within one year we will:
form core teams in each location
create a common Mission and Vision Statement, Goals, and Objectives
each define our priority gifts and needs
form inspired teams focused around these priority areas

Within three years we will:
initiate tangible programs in each priority area
send members to visit each other
have regular communications occur between priority teams

Within five years:
priority programs will be firmly established and growing
the impact of the partnership will be measurable and substantial
the number of active participants will have grown by multiples

Draft Mission Statement by the St. Bede Partners

Mission, Vision, Goals & Objectives DRAFT
By St. Bede Partners 10/20/08

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Wa-St. Bede Mission Partnership is to sustain a long-term relationship of respect and solidarity, characterized by mutuality and spirituality.


Vision Statement:

With a strong emphasis on the needs and value of youth, women, and cultural exchanges, the Wa-St. Bede Mission Partnership will build and foster a long-term, mutual relationship between the people of the Wa Diocese and the people of St. Bede the Venerable Community in the areas of spirituality, education, health services, and economic development.

Within one year we will:
form core teams in each location
create a common Mission and Vision Statement, Goals, and Objectives
each define our priority gifts and needs
form inspired teams focused around these priority areas

Within three years we will:
initiate tangible programs in each priority area
send members to visit each other
have regular communications occur between priority teams

Within five years:
priority programs will be firmly established and growing
the impact of the partnership will be measurable and substantial
the number of active participants will have grown by multiples


Sustainability Efforts:

One of the unique qualities we seek for in this partnership is a structure and range of mutual benefits that help ensure a long-term, ever renewing dynamic.
Some factors that contribute to sustainability:
· A wide base of representation and support from within both partner groups
· Continual efforts to become more inclusive
· Democratic representation
· Range of programs offered to satisfy interests within partners’ support base
· Re-evaluation of methods annually for effectiveness and consistency with the Partnership’s Goals and Visions.
· Anticipation of an ever deepening, mature Spirituality
· Vigilance against mediocrity

Goals & Objectives:
(with some examples of potential strategies in parentheses)

Goal 1: Spirituality
Objective 1: Share best practices of parish ministries and organizations

Objective 2: Create opportunities for partners to enrich their spirituality through exchange of liturgical expressions, religious practices, prayer, and devotion.

Objective 3: Collaborate on providing opportunities for priests, vowed religious, and lay ministers to share best practices, remotely and through people exchanges.


Goal 2: Education
Objective 1: Collaborate on providing opportunities for teachers to share best practices, remotely and through people exchanges.

Objective 2: Collaborate on providing opportunities for student exchanges.
· Strategy 1: (letters)
· Strategy 2: (student exchanges)

Objective 3: Collaborate on providing opportunities for parents to share the value and struggles of educating their children and develop solutions.

Objective 4: Develop incentives for teachers to serve the rural communities of Wa.

Objective 5: Develop educational and financial resources such as scholarships, books, technologies, teacher training, and facilities for the improvement of education in Wa.
· Strategy 1: (gender-inclusive scholarships)
· Strategy 2: (John XXIII Center, higher education, leadership)
· Strategy 3: (books/Rotary International)


Goal 3: Health Services
Objective 1: Improve and increase access to health services in Wa Diocese.
· Strategy 1: (medical supplies)
· Strategy 2: (financial support for food pantries)
· Strategy 3: (financial support for school lunch programs)

Objective 2: Collaborate on providing professional development and continuing education opportunities for health practitioners and health educators.
· Strategy 1: (workshops, literature)

Objective 3: Develop and share best practices for food cultivation in Wa.

Objective 4: Increase access and availability of clean drinking water for rural communities in Wa.
· Strategy 1: (boreholes)


Goal 4: Economic Development
Objective 1: Develop and share best practices for small businesses in Wa.

Objective 2: Foster fair-trade and other business opportunities for women to benefit from trade and commerce.

Our First Views of Accra, Ghana

Shekhinah Clinic and Mole National Park

Food in Ghana

Mass in Ko

Fr. Greg Donkore's Family

Summit Meeting in Wa

Elmina "Castle" (Slave Dungeon)

Ghana Trip Storytelling Evenings-Sept 14 & 18, 2008

We can hardly believe it's been 5 weeks since we returned from Ghana.  So many of us are still trying to re-acclimate and "re-attach" to life back home in California.  As we do so, we are fondly recollecting the people and things we saw during our travels in Ghana.  We want to invite all who are interested to join us at one (or both) of our Evenings of Storytelling with the Ghana St. Bede Team:  Sunday, Sept. 14, 6:45pm or Thursday, Sept. 18th, 7pm  in the Parish Center of St. Bede's (215 Foothill Blvd., La Canada, CA 91011).  During these evenings, team members will share photos and stories and will respond to questions from those in attendance.

A small taste of what we'll be showing those evenings will be seen at the end of all the Masses during the weekend of Sept. 13 & 14 at St. Bede's.

We all are praying everyday for the healthy and Spirit-filled growth of this partnership with the Wa Diocese and for blessings upon all our new friends in Ghana, especially Bishop Paul, Fr. Ed, Fr. Severo, Fr. Bennette, all the amazing CRS staff, and of course, our Thomas Awiapo.  (...we claim him!)  Thank you to YOU ALL, too, for your prayers as well.  

We'll see you on the 14th!

We are back!

No words can describe the spiritual reward we had with the people of Ghana!

Confirmation day. Bishop of Wa Diocese.

On the way to Sunday mass!

One stop at the Mole village.

Tamale ~ Shakenah Clinic.

Angela and Lillian with Sister Francisca and other Seminary staff.

Fr. Edward presenting a gift to Fr. Jim!

Summit Day. ~ Fr. Jim presenting a gift to the Bishop.


Peggy enjoying baby Christopher.


Bob has two new friends!

More pictures to come!

We finally found an Internet hot spot!

Well, I can understand the frustration people have here with the Internet! We have not been able to find a workable connection since we left Tamale. We are now in the second largest city in Ghana: Kumasi. The adventures with the Bishop and his people in Wa were amazing and overwhelming. Their warmth, dedication, and intelligence was very impressive. They were so grateful for the communication tools we brought but their Internet connection was not good. The Bishop has asked first for a better solution for them. I'm doing research and will need the help of all those in the parish who know about such things. Thank you in advance, Bill Weber and your team at JPL for your interest in this problem. I know we can help them with this. They are eager to connect with our parish and have set out goals that are about a sustained, mutual partnership. We need their constant and unrestrained warmth and love. Everywhere you go peopel wave and smile. It really feels like one happy family. We met a couple of American students who commented on how the Ghanians were so much friendlier than anyone else they came upon. More later...

Are you all okay?

It's been 5 days since your last posting. I hope all is well and that you're having magnificent experiences. Please post so that we know how you're all doing.

Blessings,
Maria

So Many Blessings!

Oh, my dears, it is wonderful to hear that you have arrived safely and have already been showered with so many blessings from the people of Ghana! The photos posted are surreal...like the pages of National Geographic. I can't wait to see all of you in your Ghanian (?) garb! What a delight it will be to see you all at the altar at Mass when you return to show off your garments and receive our wholehearted "welcome home."

Until your much awaited next installment and photos, I send you my and my family's prayers for continued safety on your travels.

Much love,
Maria Drummond

Day 2

So here we are in Tamale (not what you think, Southern Californians... it's pronounced Tah-mah-LAY). The day began with a 4am wake-up call (yikes!) and off to the Accra airport to board a prop plane on northward to Tamale. Cardinal Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast, made a surprise appearance in his white and scarlet cassock (i.e. "robe"- cassock is Ken B's word) and joined us on board. Much to our delight, cool breezes welcomed our arrival in Tamale as the only plane at the airport/fruit stand -- a distinct relief from the humidity of the coast.

After a narrow escape by Peggy from the monkeys (who do NOT appreciate the paparazzi), We later walked to the Ghana Catholic Relief Services (CRS) headquarters. Along the way, the streets were lined with vendors, students, goats, and one-table storefronts. Women of all ages passed us by, shoulders back, baskets full and balanced upon their heads. Our team photographers captured the bustling mid-morning scene delightedly, and only mis-stepped once putting an enthusiastic arm around the shoulder of a traditional Muslim woman.

The afternoon we slept. 5pm and it was time to go to the seminary. But no, delayed plans, so the Team took a detour to the Gariba Lodge lounge for some reflection time. While we awaited meeting with the staff of St. Victor's Seminary, CRS further extended their gracious hospitality by sending a local seamstress to meet with us and measure us for traditional Ghanaian garments.

Our friends at St. Victor's seminary hosted an amazing and homey dinner and loved the DVD by the St. Bede parishioners sending their love and support across the miles to the people of Ghana. Many of them wished for more St. Beders to meet them next year and further nourish the partnership that has begun today. We happily accepted on your behalf. After enjoying some goat soup, jellof, bean salad, mango, and a few Fanta (& Guinness) we parted ways until tomorrow morning for Mass.

We feel overwhelmed at the gift which is to meet with the people here and hear their stories. We hope the questions we are asking them on your behalf do justice to your hopes for this partnership as well. Blessings-

Pictures from Accra, Ghana

Fr. Jim kissing the ground after the cross-world flight into Accra, Ghana

A one-foot welcoming party at the hotel.

A woman selling oranges next to our hotel.

Roasting corn on the cob in the streets

40 cents buys a fresh coconut, again from a street vendor

Emergency Phone# while in Ghana

For all the families, and the rest the of the community: in case of an emergency, the contact phone# is:
0-11-233-0248-108276
This is a cell phone for the group while in Ghana.

We are having an amazing time. The people are very nice. Their hospitality is amazing!

Be Blessed!

First Day

All 15 of us arrived safe and sound... 5 1/2 hours to New York; 10 more to Accra, the Ghanaian capital city on the coast. Upon disembarking the plane, the humidity embraced us like Chicago, Florida, or New Orleans, depending upon which team member you ask. First impressions included awe, warmth, welcome, humility, and... "indescribable". The ride from the airport through Accra allowed us to see impressive modern architecture, lush green landscaping, a multitude of (fearless!) street vendors, and the extreme of human need. More from individuals later...

Catholic Relief Services greeted us at the airport and hosted our first day with a visit to the Cultural Center in Accra, a "Welcome Water"(think: cocktail hour), and a beautiful dinner including paw-paw soup, kelewele (plantains), akrokro, Tribes special (rice & veggies), fried fish, beans, beef stew, aubergine :), prawn salad, minted zucchini patties, and more and more fried plantains. We finished the day chatting and laughing with our CRS hosts on the deck of Afia Village hotel, overlooking southward the Gulf of Guinea.

Early start tomorrow (4:30am) to the airport again and Tamale in the north to visit one of the CRS clinics.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Arrival

Hi Everyone,

I hope your journey was smooth and fun. Please post to the blog about your first impressions. Can't wait to hear about the journey to your adventure.

Many blessings,

Maria Drummond
(Angela's sis)

Emergency Phone No.

In case of an emergency, contact Thomas Awiapo (CRS), at:
0-11-233-243-187191
He will relay the message to any of the team members.

Or,
leave a message on this blog. We will try to check it on a regular basis.

Last Cultural Education Night - 7/11/08

The team gathered for its final Cultural Education night on Friday, July 11th at the priests house. After enjoying a very delicious meal prepared by Fr. Kevin, the team finalized the video presentation that will be shared with the people in Wa.

Thank you Fr. Kevin!

Ghana - St. Bede Partnership - Video

Go to this website to see the video from the people of St. Bede to the people of Ghana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sel6S-ca5E8

or watch here:

Greetings to Ghana from the People of St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada, California USA