Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The generosity of our parish has brought lasting benefits to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Wiaga, Ghana. Through years of prayer, friendship, and financial support, you have helped provide additional classrooms at Bishop Agyenta Academy, improvements to the parish church, and a school library and computer lab. Students now use the library and computers each week as part of their studies—an enduring benefit of the gifts you have shared.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to this work, including those who helped coordinate projects and sustain communication between our communities. I also thank St. Joseph School for its generosity and participation. Together, these efforts reflect a parish willing to make sacrifices so that others may have greater opportunities to learn, worship, and flourish. We also remember with appreciation Father George Asigre, whose visits helped us come to know the people of St. Francis Xavier and the needs of their parish.

After prayerful reflection and consultation with the leaders of our Finance and Pastoral Councils, and parish staff, today I want to share with you a new direction for our parish’s charitable outreach. St. Joseph is expanding its support to reach a broader range of communities and needs throughout the world. As part of this change, we are bringing our formal sister-parish relationship with St. Francis Xavier to a close.

We will send a final contribution of $8,000.00, together with a letter expressing our gratitude, affection, and prayers. This contribution will conclude our financial support through the sister-parish arrangement.

Our charitable outreach will continue under my direction as Pastor, with support for identified needs and charitable efforts rather than an ongoing commitment to one parish. This approach gives us greater flexibility to respond where help is needed and to extend our generosity to more communities. We will share these opportunities with you as they are discerned and selected.

For those who have devoted years of care and effort to our Ghana relationship, your work has made a lasting difference. The children learning in those classrooms, the books being read, and the resources now available to students are enduring fruits of your generosity. We celebrate all that you have helped accomplish and the opportunities your dedication will continue to provide for years to come.

As St. Francis Xavier approaches its centenary, we give thanks for the faith that unites our communities and ask God to bless Father Moses Awafo and the people entrusted to his care. Please keep them in your prayers.

Thank you for the generosity with which you continue to answer the needs of others and for the trust you place in me as your Pastor. I am grateful to serve a parish whose faith finds such ready expression in compassion and action. May the Lord guide us as we carry this work forward.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Thi Hoàng, Pastor
St. Joseph Catholic Church/Mission San José
Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph

For more information about the Sister-Parish in Ghana, please click here.