Fr. James Enin, MIC
Assistant Pastor, recently deceased
During my working years in Ghana, I was closely associated with devotions to the Sacred Heart and the Marian Cult. During 1959 to 1975, I was a member of the Sacred Heart Confraternity and Choir of Kojokrom-Sekondi. From 1975 to 1978, I was the Diocesan Secretary of Accra Sacred Heart Enthronement Centre and also in charge of the Marian Shrine in Accra, where we had processions and devotions every 1st Saturday of the month.
In 1978, my employer transferred me to Sunyani. While there, I offered to help the Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese to train the children and the youth, with the help of the Sisters M. Dolores Inkoom and Elizabeth Anderson (HHJC). We started the Tarcisians of the Sacred Heart, from which a junior church choir was formed for the Christ the King Cathedral in 1978. This has grown to be one of the leading choirs in the Diocese.
While studying in Germany in 1982, I came face-to-face with the reality of the spiritual problems Ghanaian migrants were experiencing without a chaplain who understood their spirituality and culture. I suspended my studies and applied to become a diocesan priest. Once again, I was not accepted, this time because the people were hesitant to accept a priest of Philipino descent. It was then that I decided to turn to a religious congregation to fulfill my desire to become a priest.
In 1982, I applied for admission to some congregations. The Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of Mercy Province in England and the Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary responded. Eager to learn more about the Marians, I travelled to England to meet with members of the congregation. While there, I decided that his was where I wanted to be. It was a difficult decision; I was devoted to our Blessed Mother, but I was also devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a Ghanaian, I know that it is much easier for one to gain access to the King/Chief through the Queen, who is usually the mother or sister of the King/Chief. I chose to "go to Jesus through Mary" and was accepted by the Marians.
My long journey to become a priest had not yet ended. I could not get an extension on my visitor's visa and had to return to Ghana. It wasn't until 1985 that I obtained an employment visa to come to England. Finally, I could begin the last leg of my journey to priesthood. What began as a desire to become a priest in 1953 became a reality in 1991 when I received the Sacrament of Ordination.
Called to work in the Vineyard of the Lord, I was delighted when I was allowed to work with Ghanaian migrants. This ministry gives me joy whenever I help anyone in any need, especially the dejected, or when celebrating the Sacraments.
After the houses in Great Britain were annexed to the Polish Province, I asked permission to transfer to the St. Stanislaus Kostka Province, where English is the primary language.
I am enjoying my membership with the Province and I am grateful to Mother Mary for leading me to Jesus. The blessings I have received from the Immaculate Lady's intercession is great and I thank the Lord for that.