Ghana Mission

The Wa diocese in Ghana, West Africa and St. Bede the Venerable Parish in La Canada have formed a partnership to build a deeper, mutually beneficial spiritual relationship in Christ. Fifteen St. Bede parishioners arrived in Ghana in the summer of 2008 at the invitation of Fr. Greg Dongkore to begin this journey. We recognize that a vibrant partnership relies on the support and ideas of YOU, the St. Bede Parish and our new friends in Ghana. Please share your Spirit with us ALL.

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
- establish an Internet communications portal
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

Fr. Greg's Journey Back to Ghana

Parish-wide "Bon Voyage" party for Fr. Greg

(SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, August 30)

Calling all Parish Ministries and "Friends of Fr. Greg: Your voice and presence are needed on the Farewell Party planning team so that we can bless him properly on his journey back to Ghana. If you can help in any way, big or small, please contact Rebecca at 818-209-0740.

We will also be sending a large sea-container back with Fr. Greg in September filled with equipment and tools for his ministry there: educational, medical, communications. One of our dreams is to help build a girls' school in the rural Northern Region of Ghana where the need is so great. The Salvo family will coordinate the gathering and shipping of these gifts this summer. Contacts: Teresa Salvo (818-249-2356) and Eveline Siracuse (818-248-2084).

We still need the following items to send back with Fr. Greg:

- - - - Bicycles (with mountain style tires)
      - Chalkboards and supplies for classrooms
      - Mechanical pencil sharperers
      - Heavy Duty Pots and Pans
      - Hand Tools
      - Sewing machines (with 220v converters)
      - Musical Instruments
      - Laptop Computers

Fr. Greg's Family and Home in Bo, Ghana

Elementary School Children Dancing in Wa, Ghana

(the first video sent back from our friends in Ghana using the equipment donated by the St. Bede Family)

To Learn more about our Ghana Partnership and view more videos:

Ghana Partnership Team Blog Link

To send an e-mail to the Ghana Team or to request to become a contributor to the Ghana blog:

ghana@bede.org