I went out to Poughkeepsie, N.Y, from New Haven, CT to see Father Benedict. We had a quick lunch at the Italian Restaurant in town since he had 5pm mass coming on. The cuisine was delicious. You never go wrong with Italian. Father is here for the summer break and will be back to Ghana just in time for the start of the school year at the seminary late this month. I always try to visit him whenever he comes to the States. I remember telling someone not long ago that when a person does something wonderful for me, or show me they care, it doesn’t matter how long ago it's, that gesture often stays with me, always.
Father Ben was one such person and he was always kind to me back in Ghana, when he served as the assistant administrator at Christ the King Cathedral in Sunyani. Back then, I worked on the church accounts, and later was incharged of selling books at the bookstore serving the Catholic Schools. It was an amazing time in retrospect. We remembered a few people today like Mr. James Addai, or bro. James aka Olo. It was sad to hear years ago that he had passed. God rest his soul. I used to bother him all the time for money and using his phone to make calls. He was an area daddy and I misssed him. He was a wonderful man. We spoke to one of his twin daughters while driving back to the rectory but unfortunately the call ended abruptly due to poor network connection. We also spoke on phone with Mavis, Msgr. Richard's granddaughter in Florida. She was also at CKC while I was there. Msgr. Richard was the administrator at that time and Fr. Benedict the assistant. One day I will write about Msgr. Richard.
This is my new thing. We often wait until people are gone to tell the good stories about them, but sometimes it’s worth sharing while they are still here to let them know how much they meant to us. From C.K.C, Father went on for further studies in Rome, and eventually obtained a PhD, while I continued on to college, first in Ghana and then to the U.S. By 2011, he had begun spending his summers in the U.S., and I made it a point to always catch up with him whenever I could when he was in the country.
It amazes me all the time how far God has brought your homeboy, and no matter where I end up in this life, I will always remember that and all those who, in their own way, supported me.
God bless you, Padre.
I will l always be grateful.
-Ronnie Law-
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