Gulf Pine Catholic • April 10, 2026 9 Getting to Know the Servants in the Diocese of Biloxi who answered God’s Call to a Religious Vocation ~ Hearing and Answering the Call BY MONICAWALTON BILOXI -- Born into most unusual circumstances, Father John Maxwell Quaye literally came into this world as his mother, Gifty, was standing at the altar worshiping in a Pentecostal Church inWinneba, a town in the Central Region of South Ghana, Africa. Gifty and her newborn son were then taken to the hospital and his birth was officially recorded. “I was born in the midst of praises!” he said. The eldest of six children, Father Max shared the weight of looking after the younger children and caring for the household. Sadly, his father was an alcoholic, so Father Max also looked after his mom and defended her when necessary. She was a trader of fish and he helped with her business whenever he could. After Father Max was ordained, his mother freed herself from the toxic marriage by separation. The greatest gift Father Max received from his parents was the gift of Faith. His experience of the Catholic Faith came from his father, who, despite having been raised in a traditional African religion of Nature, converted to Christianity. “My dad is the only Christian convert in his family,” said Father Max. “I thank God that He used my dad to make me Catholic.” He describes his dad, a pharmacist by profession, as a “book Catholic” who checks the boxes faithfully. His mother, who is virtually illiterate, taught him how to live Faith. “She taught me to know Jesus and the Word of God as a person,” he added. The African church services, including the Catholic Mass, are very open to spontaneous song and praise. “Like Queen Esther in the Bible, I witnessed my mother praying prostrate with her whole body in front of her altar,” said Father Max. “She would roll on the floor singing and speaking in tongues. I didn’t know what it was, but I felt God’s presence. She allowed me to be with her, and I prayed in tongues, too. So, by hindsight, I now know I received baptism of the Holy Spirit at a young age.” He remains open to the Holy Spirit and has spent his 20 years of priesthood traveling and evangelizing throughout Africa, Latin America, and now Mississippi. “I’m here to serve,” said Father Max. “I want to do the best I can to help people know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. I want them to live in the Kingdom of Light and experience the unfathomable joy of the Kingdom of God.” He said that the biggest difference he has found in America compared to other countries where he has served is that here we have a whole generation that doesn’t know God personally, but it’s not their fault. Father Max wishes that his presence and ministry in the United States will call these generations back to God. He has preached at St. Patrick School and a Confirmation Retreat, and says the message is starting to bear fruit. “I challenge the young people, telling them ‘Own Your Faith!’” he said. “I tell them that since they drive themselves to school and all over the place, they can drive to morning Mass. Now we see them during the week at 6:20 morning Mass at Our Lady of Fatima!” Father Max first wanted to be a priest when he was about four years old. “There was a priest who served as a hospital chaplain and would go around to the houses and sprinkle holy water on everyone. I wanted to do that!” he laughs. “Later, I forgot about that, and I wanted to be a medical doctor.” As a young adult, he was a member of a parish that had a very boring parish priest. “We, all the people, were talking about how awful his preaching was,” said Father Max. “People would actually fall asleep during Mass!” They were asking each other what could be done to resolve this problem. During the Consecration, Father Max received the answer from God. “He said, ‘You are the answer!’When we see a problem or challenge in the Faith, we need to let God use us to be the answer. He wants to use us to make the Church and our world better.” In 1994, Father Max was baptized in the Holy Spirit again through the current chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson of Rome. “It was after my secondary school (equivalent to American high school),” he said. “He was a great influence on me. Cardinal Turkson invited us to a three-week summer school camp. The mornings were filled with lectures, and the afternoon focused on Life in the Spirit courses. “During those weeks, my calling to the priesthood was again ignited, and I decided I wanted to be a priest to help him.” So Father Max went on to study in three different seminaries for each level of his formation: preparatory, spirituality/philosophy, and theology. On November 12, 2005, he was ordained for the Diocese of Cape Coast. Traveling around Africa, Father Max’s ministry in music and Word was all about evangelization and the joy of God’s Kingdom. He continued his ministry in Brazil for nine years, always on the lookout for more platforms and places to spread evangelization. One day, Father Max was scrolling on Facebook and by happenstance, he came across his friend from seminary, Father Godfrey Andoh, who was three years ahead of him. They had lost contact after Father Godfrey moved to the United States to serve the Diocese of Biloxi. “He was one of the major priests who gave me the encouragement, opportunities, and the platform to unleash my talents in the seminary and during my early years in the ministry,” recalls Father Max. “When he popped up on Facebook, I sent him a message.” It took three months to receive a reply. Father Godfrey admitted that he hadn’t looked at Facebook for two years. So it seemed to be providential. The two old friends exchanged contact information and rekindled their friendship. Eventually, Father Godfrey, who serves as Vicar of Priests and Rector for the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Biloxi, told Father Max, “I think my bishop is looking for someone like you.” Bishop Louis Kihneman had previously traveled to Brazil to learn about ministering to people who are struggling with addictions. That led to the formation of the Farm of Hope, which is in the process of being readied and opened. It will be a place where individuals can work to overcome their addictions through a journey of faith and healing. Father Max’s bishop granted permission for him to serve in the Diocese of Biloxi. “Right now, I’m mainly working to learn more about the culture here,” said Father Max, who serves as Parochial Vicar for Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Biloxi. “Last year, the church was half-full for Stations during Lent. This year, I desire to see a filled church!” SEE VOCATIONS INSPIRATIONS, PAGE 14 Father Maxwell In the Spirit of Evangelization
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