Father Koo, as he is known in this country, is at work a long way from his beloved Ghana on the east coast of Africa. Father Koo, the Rev. Johnny Mintah-Mensah, is the priest at both Church of the Visitation in Middlesex County and Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Mathews County.
He has been here for a year, and in the states for two years of his 26 years in the priesthood. He came to this parish from a church in South Hill. “I like this country, being able to take walks, and feel so free,” Father Koo said. “It’s a lot like home.” Walking and music are Father Koo’s hobbies. “I do love music.”
Being a priest “wasn’t my plan,” explained this gentleman who grew up in a Catholic home. “While in high school I met a man who was in the seminary. I collected food and money from the community for him. I spent about five weeks with him and also did cooking in the evening. I liked him, so I decided I wanted to become just like him.”
After six years of high school, Father Koo taught for a year. He then entered the seminary where for the…
(Betty Wrenn Day is a reporter for the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal, where this story originally appeared.)
