By Rachel Kogi
The annual assembly of all Coordinators of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) to plan for the year 2022, was held on Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 at the Resource Centre of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja.
At the opening Mass for the meeting, the National Director of PMS, Very Rev. Fr. Solomon Zaku, during his homily, called on all the Coordinators to reflect on and imitate the qualities of Sts. Timothy and Titus whose feast was being celebrated. He acknowledged the two Saints as great missionaries, and reminded the Coordinators of their responsibility as animators and missionary formators of the people.
Focusing on the key qualities inherent in Sts. Timothy and Titus, the Director noted that “they were zealous and dedicated men, great collaborators and focused people who never allowed their backgrounds to affect their work.” He thus encouraged the Coordinators to develop the kind of zeal that these Saints possessed, so that in spite of all the challenges of being misunderstood or unappreciated, the missionary zeal will be their source of strength.
Moreover, Fr. Zaku stressed on the need for the Coordinators to cultivate the spirit of collaboration. He said: “As Coordinators, we need this spirit of collaboration. We cannot do the work alone. We need to collaborate with our PMS Directors, other Coordinators, and different groups in the Church to carry out our work effectively.”
According to the horarium for the event, the meeting, scheduled for 25th to 28th January 2022, drew participation of all the PMS Coordinators of the four arms of the PMS from dioceses across Nigeria. The arms include the Propagation of Faith, Holy Childhood Association, St. Peter the Apostle and Pontifical Missionary Union.
Later on, in his welcome address at the Resource Centre of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Fr. Zaku welcomed all the Coordinators and commended their commitment to the task entrusted to them. He thanked them for the sacrifice of being present despite their tight schedules and the difficulty involved in travelling around Nigeria due to the prevailing insecurity and bad roads. He regretted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not much of what was planned in the previous year was achieved. He prayed that things will be better this year.
Also present at the meeting to welcome the PMS Coordinators were the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, the Deputy Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida and the Director of Mission and Dialogue, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nomhwange. Fr. Umoh congratulated Fr. Zaku for the programme and thanked him for allowing him address the Coordinators. He welcomed the participants, and encouraged them to build a synergy with one another and with other departments in their various Dioceses.