Father Philip Brembah’s brown eyes brighten and a smile blankets his face as he describes Christmas in his native Ghana. Exchanging expensive gifts is not part of the celebration for residents of the West African country.
“People travel from the cities to the villages to be with family. The holiday is about eating together, talking and catching up on the latest news,” says the young priest from the Archdiocese of Kumasi. “The greatest gift you can give is to be physically present.”
Father Philip Brembah, parochial vicar of St. Joseph Church in Arlington, preaches at the Dec. 18 quarterly African Mass in English for Catholics from the Congo, Ivory Coast, Togo, Kenya, and Nigeria, who have moved to the U.S. Fr. Brembah, a priest from the Archdiocese of Kumasi, Ghana, is currently serving in the Diocese of Fort Worth to minister to the growing African population.
For the growing number of African Catholics who now call North Texas home, Fr. Philip’s presence in the Diocese of Fort Worth is a gift that keeps their ties to the Church and homeland strong. At the invitation of Bishop Kevin Vann, he arrived in the diocese four years ago to meet the needs of a burgeoning Ghanaian Catholic population who gather every Sunday at St. Joseph Church for Mass in the Akan language, Twi. The Arlington parish also hosts a quarterly African Mass in English for Catholics from the Congo, Ivory Coast, Togo, Kenya, and Nigeria who move here to study at local universities and then settle in the area.
“Fr. Philip brings the African community together so we can worship as we used to back home,” says Thierry Kalubi, a native of the Congo who plays the keyboard at the African Mass. “Before he came, we had to search for an African priest for our Masses.”
It’s important for the new arrivals to build a faith community where familiar hymns are sung and treasured customs maintained.
“Many Africans, after moving here, are drawn to other denominations. That’s really sad because many of them were Catholic,” the musician points out. “Maybe their faith just wasn’t strong enough or maybe they didn’t find the same traditions so they went somewhere else.”
Choir member Michelle Ebambi says the number of Africans attending Mass has grown since Fr. Philip began ministering to the immigrant community. The unity demonstrated by the devout congregation contrasts with what many members experienced in their own countries.
“Africans are known to be divided along tribal lines so it’s rare to see them come together for one cause,” she says explaining how the spiritual leader encourages them to pray for peace and prosperity in Africa. “As Catholics, it shows the universality of the Church. We pray as one people.”
While many Africans relocated to the U.S. for schooling, some left their homelands to escape war and persecution. Fr. Philip is a sounding board for their personal tragedies.
“That’s especially true for people from the Congo who have stories to tell about the war,” he confides. “Life’s been difficult and that’s one of the reasons why we try to worship together and pray for the continent — especially troubled areas.”
Growing up the oldest of five children in the heavily populated Ashanti Region of Ghana, Philip Kofi Brembah’s childhood was never marred by war or violence but had its own challenges. His father died when he was a teenager, and the overwhelming responsibility he felt for his mother and siblings almost prompted him to leave the minor seminary— the equivalent of our Catholic high schools for boys.
“We didn’t own a piece of land for farming, so education was a priority for my mother,” the priest says, recalling the family’s struggle. “She knew educating her children would help us survive.”
A member of the choir leads the congregation in the psalm during the Dec. 18 liturgy.
Despite the emotional and financial hardships pulling him away from his vocation, he chose to continue his studies and live up to the example set by Father Philip Kofi Boateng. The older priest, a close friend of his parents, had blessed their marriage. His mother and father named him after the pastor. Both Fr. Philips share the name Kofi because they were born on a Friday and in Ghanaian culture, the day of the week a child is born, determines the middle name.
“I got to know him pretty well. He was a hard-working priest who traveled a lot to villages for Mass and to bring the sacraments,” Fr. Philip says praising his mentor who died when he was a first year student in minor seminary.
Ordained on July 18, 1998, Fr. Philip worked in the Archdiocese of Kumasi before being selected by Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong to bring his ministry to the Ghanaians living in the Fort Worth area. Today the 43-year-old cleric officiates at deeply rooted cultural rites observed by the community, rites like the naming ceremony for newborns. Seven days after a birth, people gather at the family’s home for the announcement of the child’s name. The morning ritual is followed by an “adoring” celebration in the evening.
“We believe raising a child is not just the responsibility of the mother and father but society,” says Fr. Philip, explaining how the local priest offers prayers for the baby and is an integral part of the occasion. “Ghanaians always want to celebrate — especially when it’s about life.”
Funerals are also steeped in tradition. During the first week, people visited the grieving family, and no immediate plans are made for a viewing or burial. Gatherings are also held at 40 days and then one year after the death of a loved one.
“It’s a way to celebrate the life of the person who has passed and offers an opportunity to be around the bereaved family. It’s a support system so they don’t feel isolated or alone.”
The priest visits frequently to pray with the mourners.
“It means a lot to people,” he says, referring to his role in the lengthy process. “People are very conscious of time in America. For Ghanaians, time is not as important as family.”
Fr. Philip’s contributions to the diocese redefine the concept of African missionary. Instead of Westerners traveling overseas to evangelize, “priests and religious from Africa are now moving to other parts of the world to help,” he explains.
Since his arrival here, the former hospital chaplain spent three years ministering to the sick in Fort Worth hospitals and was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Church last October. Father Charles Addai-Kanham, who has served parishioners at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Arlington for three years, is returning to Ghana at the end of January.
Living so far away from family — especially during the Christmas season — is difficult, Fr. Philip admits, but he has found a new home at the Arlington parish.
“But the way people love, care, and show concern for your welfare and well-being makes you feel comfortable,” the assistant pastor says. “You know you’re not missing anything because you still find yourself in a family.”
Copyright © 2011 by North Texas Catholic