FUNERAL MASS OF MR. JOSEPH KOFI OFORI AYIPPEY
(JULY 30, 1954 – OCTOBER 1, 2025)
AT ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH, COMMUNITY 11, TEMA, ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 6, 2025
HOMILY BY BISHOP JOHN KOBINA LOUIS
READINGS: JOB 19:23-27 & JOHN 14:1-6
THEME: THE LEGACY OF AN INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN LAY LEADER
INTRODUCTION
Beloved in Christ, today, we join the Ayippey, Dapaah, Bedu-Addo and allied families to mourn a well cherished brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, guardian, and inspirational lay leader —Mr. Joseph Kofi Ayippey.
Though our hearts grieve, our faith tells us that death is not the end, as Job proclaims in our first reading: “I know that my Redeemer lives… and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26).
These words of Scripture capture the faith that guided Mr. Joseph Ayippey’s entire life: a faith that looked beyond present toil toward eternal hope.
I first encountered Mr. Joseph Ayippey and his lovely family in 1992, when I was the Priest-in-Charge of St. Joseph the Worker Church, and he was the Vice Chairman of the Church Pastoral Council. Subsequently, for 33 years, I experienced him as an inspirational lay leader. Hence, the theme of this homily is: “The Legacy of an Inspirational Christian Lay Leader”. I pray that Mr. Ayippey’s legacy will live on in our lives.
1.0 LEAVING A LEGACY
According to the first reading from Job 19, Job, who remained faithful to God in the midst of calamities, wished that his life story could be recorded to inspire subsequent generations:
“O that my words were written down!
O that they were inscribed in a book!
O that with an iron pen and with lead
they were engraved on a rock forever!” (Job 19:23-24).
Like Job, Mr. Ayippey leaves us with a legacy of Christian lay leadership which should continue to inspire us and others for years to come. His legacy includes his deep faith in God, servant leadership, integrity, humble collaboration, motivational mentor-ship, perseverance, heavenly outlook, etc.
2.0 A MAN OF DEEP FAITH
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” (Prov. 3:5). An inspirational Christian leader roots every decision, action, and relationship in faith.
Mr. Ayippey, like Job, had an unwavering faith that God is alive, faithful, and present in all things. His faith was not merely spoken—it was lived. Whether he was leading meetings, resolving parish challenges, planning or supervising a building project, or mentoring younger parishioners, he acted from a profound trust in Christ.
His favorite posture was not standing in front—but kneeling before God.
3.0 A SERVANT LEADER
Jesus says: “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matt. 23:11). So, leadership is expressed as service, not status; dedication to the good of the community is central.
From 1990 to 1999, Mr. Ayippey served St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Tema in several leadership roles, rising to become Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council on two occasions. He did not serve for recognition; he served because he saw leadership as a sacred responsibility.
Then, when the Lord opened the door for a new Catholic community—All Saints Church— he became a pioneering member. And for over two decades until he was taken ill, Mr. Ayippey gave himself wholeheartedly, especially through the Building Committee.
My dear people, Mr. Ayippey reminds us of Nehemiah in Scripture, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with heart, courage, and prayer.
4.0 A MAN OF INTEGRITY
“Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity” (Titus 2:7). A Christian leader’s life must be consistent with the Gospel—honest, transparent, and reliable.
In a time when leadership is often tainted by personal gain, Mr. Ayippey stood out as a man of honesty—transparent, fair, and dependable. Priests and the Church community trusted him with responsibilities because he first trusted God.
5.0 A HUMBLE COLLABORATOR
“All of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5).
Mr. Ayippey was 10 years older than me. When he became the Chairman of the Pastoral Council in St. Joseph the Worker Church in 1993, I was only 29 years old, while he was an accomplished professional. Yet he accorded me due respect and reverence as the Priest-in-Charge, while I related to him as my beloved uncle. He was not loud. He was not demanding. He did not dominate. Instead, as a good team-player, he listened, advised, encouraged, and built consensus.
His humility was also obvious in the fact that having served as Chairman of St. Joseph the Worker Parish Pastoral Council, he willingly offered to serve in the Building Committee of its new outstation (All Saints Church). His humility made people want to follow him.
6.0 A MENTOR AND INSPIRER
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Inspirational leaders raise new leaders, motivate the community, and leave behind a living legacy in human hearts.
Many here—especially younger members—testify that he empowered them, guided them, and believed in their potential. He planted seeds of leadership in others. That is how Christian leadership lives on – not in positions but in people.
7.0 A MAN WHO PERSEVERED
“Let us not grow weary of doing good…” (Gal. 6:9). Inspirational leaders remain steadfast even when challenges arise, trusting that God’s work must continue.
For years, Mr. Ayippey dedicated countless hours to the mission of the Church. Here, at All Saints Church, he was committed to supervising construction—sometimes through seemingly impossible obstacles, e.g., lack of funds. But he pressed on, because he believed the Lord deserved the best.
Furthermore, like Job who remained faithful to God in the midst of devastating calamities, Mr. Ayippey persevered in his faith throughout the years of his ill-health. May God who rewarded Job double-fold, reward Mr. Ayippey eternally!
8.0 A MAN WHO NEVER LOST SIGHT OF HEAVEN
And now, the gospel reading provides the final piece of Mr. Ayippey’s witness and legacy. Jesus tells us: “Do not let your hearts be troubled… In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2).
Mr. Ayippey spent much of his life building a house for God’s people on earth.
Now Christ welcomes him into the house God has built for him in heaven.
What a beautiful divine exchange! He built for God—
and now he receives what God has built for him!
When the story of All Saints Church is told, his name will be written in its foundation—just as Job wished his story could be “engraved on a rock forever!” (Job 19:24).
CONCLUSION
Beloved, Mr. Ayippey leaves behind a legacy of inspirational lay leadership—leadership rooted in faith, service, humility, integrity, perseverance, love, etc.
Our Call:
To honour Mr. Ayippey is not simply to mourn him.
To honour him is to continue the work he began.
To lead with faith.
To serve selflessly.
To build God’s house in our generation.
To walk the path Jesus (“the Way, the Truth, and the Life”) shows us.
Eternal rest grant unto Mr. Ayippey, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in eternal peace. Amen.
