Please scroll down to read Father's wish list.

Photo:  Father Albert (left) and Father Sharrett in August 2004.

Almost 10 years ago, a missionary priest from Ghana in West Africa visited St. Patrick Church to request assistance for his people back home.  That missionary was the Rev. Albert Kuuire.  Father Sharrett has welcomed Father Albert back to St. Pat’s many times since then.  

As many of us have had to opportunity to become acquainted with Father, we have learned something about his people and his ministry — especially over the last several years as he led the establishment of the Catholic University in his country. 

When we inquired about living conditions some years ago, we learned that Ghana is a land of much poverty and deprivation.  The fact is that the things we keep in our home medicine cabinets are virtually unobtainable for families in Third World countries.  There are no pain, sore throat, or cold medications.  No toothbrushes and toothpaste.  No basic first aid supplies.  Furthermore, if an aspirin were found, he says, the tablet would cost about a dollar, which is the average daily wage in his country.

Bed sheets are important as well.  In a country where malaria is endemic, clean dry sheets can make a difference in a patient’s recovery, Father explains.  Malaria is a deadly viral infection and antibiotics are useless in the treatment of this disease.  Instead, the treatment makes patients perspire.  They perspire so heavily, he says, that their bed sheets become drenched with sweat.  If clean, dry sheets are unavailable, the patient may get chilled and develop pneumonia, which is very serious.

“And undergarments are luxuries,” says Father.  “A T-shirt in Ghana is like a cashmere sweater in America.”  Cotton is best, because it is so hot in Africa.

Once St. Pat’s parishioners understood the needs of the people of Ghana, they responded generously, sending Father home each summer with his suitcases stuffed with supplies.  In addition, the students of St. Patrick School and the Ladies of St. Patrick, as well as other individuals, have shipped packages to Father.  This year, some parishioners expressed an interest in sending boxes to Father on a more regular basis throughout the year.

More than 60 pounds of supplies were shipped to Father in 2004 in three shipments.  Father received the first two boxes in the fall.  The third box was just received in mid-March.  (Average shipping time is two to three months.) 

The first box shipped in 2005 was sent on April 2; the second box will be shipped shortly.  Shipping costs are very high, ranging from about $60 to $70 per box.

We are currently collecting additional supplies to send to Father Albert.  If you wish to donate items for this box of supplies, or are able to help with postage, please contact Mary Buffington at (610) 388-6711, Joe Scalise at (610) 444-3932, or Pat McAdams at (610) 444-1669 or pmcadams@nasw.org.  Because shipping costs are so high, we ask that all donations be limited to the items Father Albert most urgently needs, as shown in his wish list (please see below).  Thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide.  Please donate new items only.

Father Albert is overwhelmed with the support of St. Pat’s parishioners.  “I cannot sufficiently express my joy!  The Lord is no doubt using your gifts to strengthen me in my resolve to do the ministry He has called me to do,” he says.

Last but not least, we leave you with the news that Father Albert has been appointed a Monsignor!   His investiture took place on Sunday, November 28, 2004, in a ceremony presided over by His Eminence Peter Cardinal K. Appiah-Turkson, Primate of Ghana and Chancellor of the Catholic University.

Congratulations to Msgr. Albert.  May God continue to bless his work.

Photo:  Monsignor Albert in  November 2004

A message from Msgr. Albert
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