By Our Atlanta Based Correspondent
The Atlanta Gambian Christian Organization is poised to celebrate their twentieth commemoration of the feast of the Assumption into Heaven by the Blessed Virgin, Mary commonly known as Sang Marie, The celebrations according to the President of The Gambia Christian Organization, Mrs Yvonne Ndure- Mboob will kick off of Friday 16th. August with a welcome reception held in honor of His Lordship, Bishop Robert Patrick Ellison of the Catholic Diocese of Banjul who will be the guest of honor for this years historic celebrations and also the principal celebrant of solemn High Mass to be held on Saturday at the church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Atlanta. According to Mrs Ndure-Mboob, Gambians from all over the world will converge in Atlanta for three day week end set aside to celebrate the Mother-In-Faith of all Catholics. She recalled the fact that twenty years ago, about ten people gathered in a small apartment in Atlanta to celebrate Sang Marie noting that, “twenty years later it has grown to this big annual pilgrimage for which we are grateful to God our Father.” She paid special tribute to Fr Anthony Gabisi who celebrated the first Sang Marie two decades ago alluding to the fact, “He could not have written a better script.” She invited all Gambians to come to Atlanta to celebrate the Virgin Mother and also to experience the Gambian version of “Southern Hospitality.” Speaking on the preparedness of the choir, the choir , its Director, Vincent Ndow said six months of preparations ended Sunday evening and assured everyone that the songs will be second to none. When quizzed on if it will equal the Cathedral at Bamjul, Mr Ndow boldly said ; ” Ours will be the best ever by any Gambian choir.” When reminded by our correspondent that the statement was quite a bold one; Ndow, quipped, “we are just as good if not better.” He said that they have been blessed with song writers and music composers which really helps the choir progress.
Mrs Ndure-Mboob in concluding the interview with our US based correspondent expressed her profound gratitude to His Lordship Bishop Patrick Ellison for taking the time to join them this year. She went on add that the feast is also the official feast for the Diocese of Banjul and for the Bishop to come to Atlanta to lead them in prayer speaks volumes on what “kind of leader he is.” She also expressed profound gratitude to the many that have made this yearly trip to Atlanta without whom she said,” there would not have been a twentieth to commemorate.” According to the GCO “Supremo,” it was all collective team work that brought them to this point and it is her hope that the GCO will continue to grow and bring people together.
The High Mass will be followed by an all night reception and cultural evening which will also feature the West African Masquerade Awo Hunting Society.