The Very Rev. Msgr. Dominic K. Fosu
I was born in a small town called Tepa in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to a peasant and humble farmer, Mad. Anna Ama Aframoah and Mr. Stephen Yaw Asiedu, both of the blessed memory. I am the fifth born child to my parents who happened to be blessed with nine children, one of whom died two years ago. Of the eight children left, three are girls and five are boys, all of whom are blessed with children. Knowing the implication of my vocation, almost all of my brothers and sisters have one of their kids named after me, a sign of respect and honor to me. It is also an affirmation that my lifestyle is perfect to be emulated, hence the naming of a child after me.My people believe that one does not need to die before he can be acclaimed as a role model. So by naming a child after someone, all that they are saying is that the child should look up to this person and live his/her life in that manner. This is a big challenge to me since every day in my life I am reminded to be my true self since someone is watching me. It is important to note that we are six men and three women and the first born son of my elder sister is also a Priest, now in Rome on mission to Ghanaian immigrants and at the same time, he is studying Pastoral theology for his master’s degree. I have one younger brother in Columbus, Ohio, another in New York and one little sister in Maryland with her husband and four kids.
My journey to the priesthood started at the age of four when, at the baptismal font, my grandmother picked the name Dominic for me when she was told that St. Dominic was a priest and a good preacher. She wanted me to be like him. I had the privilege to serve at the altar from the age of eight and I was very faithful to the service as I was always at the church whether I was assigned to serve or not. My presence in the church always generated a kind of love for me by the entire parish and priests who came to our parish. I was one of the favorites to go on trekking with the priest to the numerous outstations of our parish at that time.
I continued to serve at the altar until I completed middle school at the age of 16. Prior to that, I had the opportunity to enter the minor seminary when I passed the entrance examination. Due to financial constraints, however, I could not go. My mother could not afford to help because she had no money and my father too could not help due to the same problem. It was a big setback for me and I had no other choice but to stay home. I decided to look for a job that would enable me to earn money so that I could pursue my aspiration of going to the seminary. I, therefore, took a job as cook for an Irish priest who was so kind to offer me that job. I worked for six months at the rectory while, at the same time, serving at the altar.
On a Friday morning, while going to serve at Mass, I met a parishioner who then introduced me to the director of the district education office for an interview as a messenger. I passed that interview and was asked to start work the next day. I had to inform the priest about this new development because, at this new job, I was going to be paid better than working as a cook. All this while, I felt within me that there was something important that I had to do and that was going to the seminary to become a priest. I was prepared to do anything possible to get money to start the training.
There was a man at the office who once said to me “Dominic, I think this is not your place, for I see you as competent enough to further your education. What is in your mind?” My response was “sir, I want to go to the seminary to become a priest.” So he said “if that is your aim, get prepared and I will help to give you tutorials as you work to pass the examination.” I sat for the examination again and passed for the second time.
I conveyed the message to my mother about my intention to go to the seminary. She initially objected to it because I was the “bread winner” for the family. With persuasion and prayer, she understood my point and agreed. This was the turning point in my mother’s life because all along, she was not going to church, let alone becoming Catholic. She decided outright to become a Catholic to journey with me in my priesthood studies. She was to do this by praying and working in the farm to support me by saving money to pay for my school tuition and other needs. I started the seminary by using all of my savings to buy the required prospectus. I also sold all of the furniture I acquired in my room to pay for my initial school tuition. How I was going to pay for the next bill was left in the hands of God. My mother got baptized and confirmed a week before I went to the city to begin my seminary training.
For the seven years I spent in the minor seminary, I worked on farms and supported my mother in the farm as well before I could get some money to pursue my education. It was not so simple and easy but, because I was determined to fulfill my inner desire, I never gave up. My mother was indeed a pillar in my journey toward this noble profession. My old grandmother, the fountain of home in my life, was also there to give me the spiritual support as well as moral one. I really labored for my priesthood vocation and I am with the conviction that nothing at all can take this gift of God from me. I must say, that for almost 19 years that I have been a priest, I have never ever regretted being what I am.
God listened to my prayers, so on the 16th of July, 1994, I was ordained a priest to the joy of my family, especially my sweet mother and grandmother. It would have been nice to see this old woman, who died at the age of 120, dancing to the tune of music as an appreciation to God for listening to her prayers. Whatever she predicted came through. I lost my father four years after my ordination, and my humble and sweet mother also left me when I was 12 years into the priesthood, in 2007.
As a priest, I have worked as a parochial vicar for one year in my diocese, Personal Secretary to the Archbishop, Major Domo at the Archbishop’s residence, a member of the College of Consultors for the Archbishop, Secretary to the Priests’ Senate, a pastor and the Diocesan Estate Manager. In April of 2008, Our Holy Father conferred on me the honorary title of Monsignor and I was vested on November 1st, 2008.
Having gone through these years of dedicated service to the mother church, I decided, with permission from my local Ordinary, to go on sabbatical leave. So I found myself here, in the Diocese of Covington, when Bishop Foys graciously accepted to work with me.
In the Diocese of Covington, I have worked as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Church in Crescent Springs, Parochial Administrator for All Saints Church in Walton, Parochial Vicar for Mary Queen of Heaven in Erlanger, the Parochial Administrator of St. Augustine and St. James parishes, and now Pastor of IHM.
I am a very easy going person but serious with my priestly duties, for which I take some pride in. Soccer has been the best sporting activity that I enjoy most. I do enjoy music a lot and am ever prepared to learn more of it, especially in notes reading. At my leisure time, I say my rosary and divine mercy prayers and read some religious books for more enlightenment. I do like visiting people, especially the sick. And I love to listen more than talk. I am also a bicycle rider so expect to see me on wheels very often!
I had all my seminary training in Ghana but my post graduate studies were at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.