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Fruitful Living

Catholic Church honours retired catechist From Peter Gbambila, Sekoti

There is a popular saying that “a country that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for”.

For this reason, the Catholic Communities of Datuku and Kulpeliga in the St Theresa of the Child Jesus in Tongo Parish of the Navrongo-Bolga Diocese honoured a retired catechist, Mr Gabriel Tibil, popularly known as Fada Tibil, a traditional ruler with the skin name Dasang Naab Kokorum Malimyalig (the expansion of an existing water source).

Fada Tibil, born about 105 years ago, had no formal education but was naturally brilliant and picked up teachings very fast from the White Fathers who started the Catholic Church in the then Upper Region.

The White Missionaries came to Sekoti in the Northern Region in 1927 and Fada Tibil started catechism at the age of 12, and because of his brilliance, he was picked by late Fr Lapointe to attend the Catechists’ School at Binduri near Bawku in 1954 and was baptised the same year.

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Fada Tibil was the first catechist to start the St John the Apostle Catholic Church at Sekoti in 1957 and was transferred to start another church at Datuku in 1961.

He retired as a catechist in 1986 after returning to Sekoti and was later enskinned as the chief of Dasang, a Divisional Chief under the Sekoti Paramountcy.

On the occasion of the 2020 Fathers’ Day celebration, the Catholic Communities of Datuku and Kulpeliga honoured Fada Tibil with a citation, a smock and a hat, a walking stick, a local cloth for the wife, Mrs Catherine Tibil, and an undisclosed amount of money.

His support for the growth of the Catholic Church in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East Region and the unshakable faith in the Catholic Church prompted those he brought up in the church to honour him on this year’s Fathers’ Day.

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In appreciation of the surprise presentation, Mr Tibil said he was so happy and at a loss for words to describe the gesture, but prayed for the youth to be law abiding and emulate the good works of the nice people around them, especially the aged.

From Peter Gbambila, Sekoti

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Fruitful Living

 Khutba for the blessed month of Ramadan

 Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen. We begin this Khutba by extolling the greatness of Allah (SWT), the Lord of the worlds, and thanking Him for His in­finite blessings upon us. We praise Him for His mercy and guidance, for allowing us to witness another Ramadan—a sacred month unlike any other.

We send peace and blessings upon His noble messenger, Prophet Muham­mad (SAW), the Seal of the Prophets, his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Resurrection.

May Allah make us stead­fast in following the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet Mu­hammad (SAW).

The Blessed Month of Ramadan

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Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, we are on the brink of welcoming Ramadan, a month that Allah (SWT) has uniquely blessed for the Um­mah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, a month that Allah has made sacred by filling it with mer­cy, forgiveness, and rewards for those who engage in acts of worship.

Importantly, Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qur’an, the ultimate guidance for humanity, was revealed.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Baqarah: “The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185).

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This verse establishes the connection between the Qur’an and Ramadan, reminding us that fasting is not only an act of worship but also an opportunity to reflect upon the guidance of the Qur’an and implement its teachings in our lives.

Additionally, in Surah Ad- Dukhan, Allah (SWT) high­lights the significance of the Qur’an’s revelation during a blessed night:

“Indeed, we sent it [the Qur’an] down during a bless­ed night. Indeed, we were to warn [mankind].

On that night is made dis­tinct every precise matter— [every] matter [proceeding] from us. Indeed, we were to send [a messenger]” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:3–5).

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This ‘blessed night’ is Laylatul Qadr, a night that is better than a thousand months. It is a night when Allah, in His infinite wisdom, decrees the destiny of all creation.

This connection between Ramadan, the Qur’an, and Laylatul Qadr underscores the profound spiritual signifi­cance of this sacred month.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also emphasized the link between fasting and the Qur’an, saying: “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, ‘O my Lord, I prevented him from food and drink during the day, so let me intercede for him.’

And the Qur’an will say, ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night, so let me intercede for him.’ And they will both intercede” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 6626).

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The Obligation of Fasting in Ramadan

Fasting in Ramadan is a divine obligation, a duty decreed by Allah upon all Muslims who have reached maturity, are of sound mind, and are physi­cally able. Allah (SWT) says: “O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183).

The goal of fasting, as indicated in this verse, is to cultivate Taqwa—a state of heightened awareness of Al­lah, leading to greater obe­dience and righteousness.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

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“Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan out of faith and seeking its re­ward, all his past sins will be forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 30, Hadith 1901).

This Hadith further empha­sises the spiritual benefits of fasting, encouraging Muslims to engage in this act of wor­ship with sincerity and hope for Allah’s forgiveness. (To be continued)

The author is the Metro­politan Chief Imam of the Kpone Katamanso Metrop­olis

Email: chiefimaamk­ponekatamanso@gmail.com

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 By Imam Alhaji Saeed

Abdulai,

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Fruitful Living

 How can I learn to trust that God is in control?

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own under­standing; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Introduction

LIFE often presents uncer­tainties, challenges, and moments of deep frus­tration that leave us ques­tioning if anyone is truly in control. As believers, we are called to trust in the sover­eignty of God, but what does that really mean? How can we confidently rest in the assurance that God governs all things? Before we can fully embrace this truth, we must answer critical ques­tions: Is God truly sovereign? How much control does He actually have? If He is not in complete control, then who or what is? Most important­ly, how can we grow in our trust that He orchestrates everything for His divine purpose? By exploring these questions through the lens of Scripture, we will gain a deeper understanding of God’s supreme authority and find peace in His unshakable rule over all of life’s circum­stances.

Is God Really in Control?

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The concept of God’s control over everything is known as His sovereignty. Nothing gives us greater strength and confidence than understanding this divine truth. God’s sover­eignty means His complete and independent authority over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases. He governs every molecule in the universe, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.

Isaiah 14:24 affirms this: “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand.’”

Nothing in life is random or by chance, especially in the lives of believers. God has deliberately resolved to do what He will, and nothing and no one can stand in His way. Isaiah 46:10 further declares, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My pur­pose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” This is our powerful and purposeful God who is in control of every­thing. Recognizing this truth should bring us great com­fort and alleviate our fears.

To be continued……  

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  • By Rev. Dr Joyce
    Aryee, the author

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