Virginia, Montserrado – The St. Paul River Bank Grand Commandery and Grand Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International has reemphasized its commitment to caring for the poor and needy as one of its obligations in upholding the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
In fulfillment of this commitment, the St. Paul River Bank Grand Commandery has extended charity to the St. Bakitha Catholic Mission as part of its activity marking 2019 Feast Day celebration.
The feast day will be celebrated on June 29, 2019 in commemoration of St. John the Baptist, Patron Saint of members of the Knights of St. John International.
The donated items include 20 bags of 50-kg rice, 15 gallons of Argo oil, soup kinds, toiletries and several other items.
Speaking Monday, June 24, during the donation of the items to the mission at the Queen of Peace Shrine in Virginia, St. Paul River Bank, Grand President, ‘Brigadier General’ Theo Kofo D’Almeida said the charity demonstrated the Order’s mandate to give to the needy.
“This time around, we decided to stretch our hands to you people as an appreciation for helping Liberian children, who you are taking care of at this mission. We hope you accept this and use it for the intended purpose,” Gen. D’Almeida said.
According to him, 2019 charity is not the first of its kind that St. Paul River Bank Grand Commandery has carried out, referencing that 2018 charity at the Redemption Hospital, when members of the Noble and Holy Order extended hands to the sick.
B/Gen. D’Almeida further committed St. Paul River Bank to continue helping the poor and needy.
Receiving the items, the director of St. Bakitha Catholic Mission located at Cenacolo Community in Virginia, Montserrado, Sister Paola Datta praised members of the holy order for the gesture, noting that it came at the right time.
“We don’t receive money from government and our monthly income does not come from government, but our donors in the US help us through the goodness of God,” Sister Datta said.
“We have to praise God very much because very good people like you are coming to us to share the grace of God. This is absolutely amazing and it’s a miracle of the love of God, so, thank you so much.”
According to Sister Datta, it was the first of such a gesture shown the Mission since its establishment, lauding the St. Paul River Bank Grand Commandery.
The St. Bakitha Catholic Mission is an international organization of faithful, recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, the priest in charge of the Mission, Father Paul Folleh, wished members of the Noble Order happy feast day (June 24) and expressed gratitude for extending hands to a mission that is catering for less fortunate Liberian children.
Father Folleh said the community, which is now a blessing to Liberia, was once in ruin but has regained its status and it was important for good will gesture to be extended to children living there.
Meanwhile, Father Folleh is calling on members of the Knights of St. John International to continue their gesture to the mission.