From a handful of families praying together after Mass in 2005, to a community formally inaugurated by the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2017.
In November 2005, Ghanaian Catholics in Chicago began worshipping together, warmly welcomed by Rev. Fr. Rick Andrus and the parishioners of St. Elizabeth. Meetings continued after every Mass, and on the first Sunday of December that year the community celebrated its first liturgy, at 1:00 PM.
Those gatherings carried on under the chairmanship of Fr. Prempeh, with Francis Sarfo serving as ad hoc secretary, until March 2006, when a five-member Interim Executive Committee was appointed to draft by-laws and set a strategic direction for the young community: Mr. Anthony T. Osei (President), Nana Owusu-Ansah (Vice-President), Mr. Francis Sarfo Kantanka (Secretary), Mrs. Comfort Afriyie (Treasurer) and Mr. Andrew Agyapong (Public Relations Officer). Mr. Kantanka continues to serve the community today as President of the Executive Council.
Ghanaian Catholics in Chicago started worshipping together, hosted by the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Parish under Rev. Fr. Rick Andrus. The first liturgical celebration followed on the first Sunday of December, at 1:00 PM.
A five-member committee — led by President Mr. Anthony T. Osei, alongside Nana Owusu-Ansah, Mr. Francis Sarfo Kantanka, Mrs. Comfort Afriyie and Mr. Andrew Agyapong — was charged with drafting by-laws and strategic guidelines for the community's future.
The community continued to grow while worshipping at St. Ambrose Parish, Old St. Mary's Parish, and Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, carrying its faith and culture from one parish home to the next.
At St. Malachy + Precious Blood Parish (now Blessed Maria Gabriella), 2248 W. Washington Blvd, the community was formally inaugurated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, with His Eminence Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and Most Reverend Alberto Rojas, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, presiding.
We remain rooted at Blessed Maria Gabriella Parish, committed to passing on the Catholic faith and Ghanaian heritage to the next generation, and welcoming anyone who wishes to worship with us.
To unite Catholics of Ghanaian descent in the Chicago area in the worship of God, nurturing our faith through the richness of our native languages, music and traditions, while living out the Gospel in service to one another, to Blessed Maria Gabriella Parish, and to the wider Archdiocese of Chicago.
"We thank the Almighty God for our journey thus far." — Nyame Ayɛ Awie (God has already done it)
Every family who joins us adds a new chapter. Come worship with us this Sunday.