HOLY CROSS PARISH, TAMALE CELEBRATES 9TH EDITION OF PARISH FEAST, PARTNERSHIP AND CULTURE DAY
Theme: “Walking Together in Faith and Culture: Celebrating Our Heritage, Strengthening Our Partnership.”
Holy Cross Parish, Tamale, has successfully celebrated the 9th Edition of its Parish Feast, Partnership and Culture Day (PFPCD) Celebration 2026, with a call on parishioners to embrace their diversity and harness it for the growth and unity of the Church.
The celebration, which climaxed on Sunday, 8th November 2026, brought together clergy, religious, parishioners, invited guests and members of the parish’s international partnership community to celebrate faith, culture, unity and shared commitment to the mission of the Church.
The climax of the celebration was marked by a special Eucharistic celebration, with Very Rev. Fr. Jonathan Kuuyonongme as the main celebrant. In his homily, he admonished parishioners to harness their cultural and social diversity into positive contributions towards building a united and vibrant Church. He further encouraged the faithful to embrace the spirit of the Synodal Church by walking together, listening to one another, appreciating their differences and working collectively for the common good.
A significant highlight of the Mass was the reception of the sacraments by members of the parish community. Twenty-nine (29) candidates received their First Holy Communion, while fifty-five (55) faithful received the Sacrament of Confirmation, marking an important milestone in their Christian journey and commitment to the Catholic faith.
The celebration was graced by several distinguished personalities, including Very Rev. Fr. Hilary Pogbeyir, Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale; Dame Agnes Gandaa, Executive Secretary of TEPPCON; and Mr Nicodemus Gampie, Archdiocesan Partnership Coordinator and one of the 2025 Archdiocesan Papal medal Awardee. Also in attendance were priests and religious from various parts of the Archdiocese.
A special feature of this year’s celebration was the presence of fourteen (14) members of Holy Cross Parish’s sister partnership parish, St. Lambert Parish, Coesfeld, Germany. Their participation further strengthened the longstanding bond of friendship, solidarity and mutual support between the two parish communities. Their presence was a practical demonstration of the spirit of partnership and the universal nature of the Catholic Church.
Beyond the Eucharistic celebration, the event provided an opportunity for parishioners to showcase the richness and beauty of their cultural heritage. Various ethnic groups within the parish thrilled participants with colourful traditional dances, cultural performances and displays. These presentations reflected the diversity of the parish community and demonstrated how culture can serve as a powerful instrument for promoting unity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
The celebration also featured an exhibition and sharing of traditional local dishes, offering participants an opportunity to appreciate the different culinary traditions of the various ethnic groups represented in the parish. Local foods were served, adding flavour and warmth to the day’s festivities.
The 2026 celebration was preceded by a series of activities aimed at promoting the spiritual, physical and social well-being of parishioners. These activities included the official launch of the PFPCD on Sunday, 11th October, during all Masses; a health walk on Saturday, 17th October; and a health screening exercise on Saturday, 24th October, all held on the parish grounds.
The spiritual dimension of the celebration was further strengthened on Saturday, 7th November, with the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a Healing Mass, followed by visits to the sick.
The 9th Edition of the Parish Feast, Partnership and Culture Day was not merely a celebration of cultural identity but also a renewed call to strengthen the bonds of faith, fellowship and partnership among parishioners and friends of Holy Cross Parish.
As the parish continues to nurture its relationship with St. Lambert Parish, Coesfeld, Germany, and other partners, the celebration reaffirmed the importance of walking together in faith, respecting cultural differences and building a Church where everyone feels welcomed, valued and included.
Indeed, the celebration served as a reminder that our diversity is not a barrier to unity but a gift to be celebrated and harnessed for the growth of the Church and the building of a peaceful and harmonious society.
