CUG MARKS ANNUAL RETREAT AND FEAST OF ST. CORNELIUS

 

The Catholic University of Ghana (CUG) has observed its annual Chaplaincy Staff Retreat, held on campus with full staff participation of both senior and junior staff. 

This year’s retreat was particularly meaningful as it coincided with a church service held in honor of St. Cornelius, the patron saint of peace and unity in the Church. His legacy of compassion, leadership, and steadfast faith served as an inspiration for the entire university community as staff paused to reflect, pray, and renew their commitment to the university’s mission.

The retreat, organized by the University Chaplaincy, provided a sacred space for reflection on the past year’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The event brought together Faculty and staff — from the Vice Chancellor to security personnel — under one spiritual and professional umbrella, emphasizing the importance of every role in delivering quality service to humanity. The central message was clear: every service rendered within the University is a service to God. Whether through teaching, administration, maintenance, or security, the contribution of each staff member forms part of a larger mission — educating the mind while shaping the moral and spiritual lives of students.

The Eucharistic celebration in honor of St. Cornelius reminded the CUG community of the importance of unity, humility, and moral courage in leadership. The Chaplain, in his homily, urged staff to emulate St. Cornelius by becoming leaders who are not only academically sound but spiritually grounded — leaders who serve with love and integrity. The church service also served as a spiritual anchor for the retreat, reinforcing the belief that all aspects of university life must be deeply rooted in faith. Staff were encouraged to participate regularly in Mass, observe spiritual devotions like the Angelus at noon, and start all academic activities — lectures and exams — with prayer..

A strong emphasis was placed on the collective responsibility of all staff in student care, mentorship, and recruitment. Students are the face of CUG to the world, and how they are received, taught, and nurtured on campus becomes the message they carry into society. Staff were reminded to be punctual in delivering results, to act as mentors, and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. The need for every student to be assigned to a senior staff mentor was highlighted as a proactive measure to support academic and personal development.

The retreat further emphasized the importance of building a welcoming and inclusive staff community. It was noted that no class system should exist between new and old staff, and that unity, empathy, and love must define professional relationships, especially during times of personal grief or hardship. This spirit of care strengthens the university’s identity as a faith-based institution and ensures that staff retention and morale remain high.

Another key theme was the call to uphold morality, discipline, and culture in all areas of campus life. Staff were encouraged to model professionalism through appropriate dressing, timeliness, and ethical conduct, as students look up to lecturers and administrators as role models. The University expressed strong support for the SRC’s newly proposed dress code, calling on all staff to enforce and exemplify it. Furthermore, it was recommended that students who demonstrate outstanding moral character should be recognized alongside those who excel academically, reinforcing the University’s vision of educating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.

As an academic institution, all staff were reminded of their duty to identify societal problems, conduct relevant research, and return those solutions to the community. Research, it was stressed, must not remain in journals alone but must reach policymakers, communities, and the public at large. The University was encouraged to ensure that government and national development agendas benefit from its intellectual resources and social insights.

The retreat concluded with the Angelus prayer, recited in unison, marking a spiritual climax to a day of deep reflection and renewed commitment. As the CUG community honored the legacy of St. Cornelius, staff were urged to remember that in serving one another, especially students, they ultimately serve God. Every interaction, lecture, and administrative task was described as an opportunity to uplift, inspire, and transform.

Looking ahead, the coming academic year is expected to reflect the collective resolve of the University to build an environment where academic excellence, moral virtue, and spiritual depth walk hand in hand.

By

Adam Siaka

Broadcast Journalists

Wisdom FM