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Community Corner

In our Community Corner, church members share stories about what brought them to Saint Esprit from around the world. This month Vestry member Guillaume Kossivi Ahadji shares the story of his journey from Togo.

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Our "Sunday" Man

He is, literally speaking, our ‘Sunday’ man. In Ewe (an official language of Togo), ‘Kossivi’ is the word for ‘Sunday’, and Guillaume was given this name by his parents in accordance with his country’s custom of naming the child after the day of the week the child was born. You will have seen Guillaume, perhaps, at the entry way if you have visited our church on a Sunday – his great welcoming smile like a ray on sunshine containing all the warmth of his native land – or at the lectern reading the Sunday lectionary or leading the prayers. In this short conversation, Guillaume shares a few more aspects of himself with us.

Where are you from – what is your nationality? Do you have any family? What line of work do you do?

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Ahadji Family, 2003
I come from West Africa, very specifically from the south of Togo. And so, I am Togolese by nationality. My family consists of my wife Philippine and three children – Jonathan, Johan and Josué. My boys are 15, 13 and 10 years old, respectively.

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Ahadji Family, 2010

I am a printer and graphic artist by trade. My training is in advanced offset printing techniques, reproduction and management, and in specialized sales techniques in the graphic industry. I received my training in [the former] West Germany and Quebec, Canada, which means that I speak French, English and German. My current work consists of printing all types of basic documents. I am also a specialist in printing newspapers, magazines, advertising flyers and brochures, school books and many other types of documents. I’d like to let everyone reading this interview know that I am currently looking for similar work in my field, or other work in New York City.

When did you first come to Saint Esprit and why? What brought you to Saint Esprit?

I discovered Saint Esprit for the first time in January 2005, thanks to a mystery of God. One day while riding the subway, I spotted a directory for the French-speaking community in New York, that someone had left behind on the seat. I looked through it, and found an announcement for the French Church of Saint Esprit. It had been quite a while that I had been looking for a French-speaking church, and I decided to go the following Sunday. I was welcomed by Reverend Massey, who made an enormous impression on me. And I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit. I have been coming to Saint Esprit ever since, because the presence of the Holy Spirit is definitely and truly here.

What do you do at Saint Esprit in terms of activities?

I’m a member of the Vestry, which means that I participate in the discussions and decisions concerning the temporal affairs of the church, such as finances, buildings, and the like. But I am also involved in reading the lectionary on Sundays and, from time to time, with leading the Prayers of the People. You can also find me at the church entrance on Sundays, welcoming people to worship. I also organize our annual Afrique Fête, which celebrates African cultures and realities.

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Afrique Fete, 2008

What do you like best about Saint Esprit?

I most like the warm welcome and the diversity of nationalities and cultures that make up our Saint Esprit community. And, I will never forget all the people of a certain age and dignity who have such a great love of the French language, and who come early on Sunday mornings to French classes and participate in Saint Esprit’s activities!

What do you like to do in your free time when you are not at church or work?

Most of the time, I spend my free time in bed catching up on my sleep, while thinking of how I can bring my family in Togo to be by my side…my big project is to bring them to the United States so that we can be reunited as a family.

Is there anything that you would like to communicate to the wider Saint Esprit community?

I would like to ask the community of the French Church of Saint Esprit, both near and far, to remember my family and me in their prayers and to help me one day to be reunited with my family. Once again, thank you and may God bless us all.
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