My Vocation Story.

Two of my sisters Kakra and Kukuwa and I were enrolled in a Catholic School, so we attended Sunday Mass in order to get rolled call numbers for Monday morning assembly.

This practice went beyond mere getting rolled call number. Two of our teachers, Miss Ankra and Miss Donkoh gathered the children to begin the Young Apostles of the League of Tarcisians of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. My sisters and I got involved too.

The then Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Kweku Ocran got involved in this and offered his massive and unwavering support to all the children, involving those who are able to read Fante in the ministry of the lectors. So, the three of us were part of them. We enrolled in the catechesis class and got baptized.

Life was challenging when growing up as a child, however, God never disappointed me in achieving my dream of becoming a professional teacher. I gained an admission to the Our Lady of Apostles College of Education in Cape Coast. While in the college, my course mate called me Sr. Issah. So, one of my mates mentioned to me about the Sisters of the Holy Cross and gave a contact number for me to call if I am interested in becoming a sister. She also added that but these sisters do not wear habit”

   I was curious in getting to know about sisters. Therefore, I asked the OLA Sisters questions. I was invited to one of their aspirant retreats. I kept in touch with them. 

In addition, I called the number and Sr. Esther visited me in Saltpond during my teaching practice.

I got attracted and convinced to begin journeying with the OLA Sisters right after college. However, I thought that the time was not yet ripped for me to make such a major life decision so I stopped the journey and continued teaching at the Yamoransa Sacred Heart Catholic Junior High School to get experience.

After six years of teaching, I felt that the time was ripped for me to do whatever my heart desires. I got into contact with the sisters of the Holy Cross again through another friend of mine and began journeying with them.

I was invited to attend the come and see program in 2016. So, in 2017 I informed my family about my desires. It was hard for my parents who are not Catholics (Massa Issah, my father is a Moslem and my Maame Tailor my mother is not a Catholic. However, they eventually agreed to my request because they could not compete with God.

 After the three months live in experience, I submitted a letter of study leave without pay to the Ghana Education Service headquarters in Accra.

I was accepted to begin postulancy for two years and finally to the novitiate for another two years. The postulancy had its own challenges. However, I had an interesting experience and challenges in the novitiate. My greatest teacher had been life itself. “the frog wouldn’t have known that water has different temperatures if it had not fallen in hot water”

Having encountered people from different backgrounds and with different life experiences has made me appreciate and accepted life with all its blessings and challenges.

I had a good time to be around the Senior Sisters in our Mother House. I visited them and had lots of conversations, fun games and laughter with them. They were sources of life, inspirations and joy for me back in the novitiate and God is the reason why I am here.  

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength that he considered me worthy, appointing me to his service.  1Tim 1:12.

All thanks, glory and honour be the name of the Lord now and forever. I am being confident of this that, he who began a good work within me will bring it to completion. Phil 1:16.

Appreciation:

My sincerest gratitude to my family: parents, brothers and sisters for their prayerful supports. And my dearest grandmother Esi Nkrumah of blessed memory, whom I stayed with growing up as child, was a guardian angel to me. Maame (Aberiwa) as we affectionately called you, I wished you lived to witness this day. May your soul rest in peace.

I also render my heartfelt and profound appreciation to the Biseaseman Development Association and Mr. Joseph Okyere, the then Chairman who offered me scholarship to enable me attend the Senior High School 20 years ago. This means everything to me.

 To the entire congregation of the sisters of the Holy Cross, I thank you for allowing me to be a member of this family. My sincere thanks to Sr. Evelyn Ntiamoah, my postulant director and all who journeyed with me to this far.

A very special thanks to my Senior Sisters in St Mary’s whose presence, life and ministry, motivated and encouraged me to pursue my dreams even in difficult times.

To Sr. Rose Ann Schultz, CSC, of blessed memory who was my Spiritual Director, I say thank you so much for being there for me especially during the most challenging moment of my novitiate formation, Sister Rose Ann, rest in peace.

And to everyone gathered here this evening, thanks to you all for coming. Your presence, prayers, and support mean the whole world to me. Meda Hom Ase.

Sister Lydia Issah, CSC