The Diocesan Coordinators of the four arms of the Pontifical Mission Societies had their annual general meeting in Abuja. An event that gathered together about ninety 90 Diocesan Coordinators of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), Propagation of Faith (POF), and Society of St. Peter Apostle (SPA) with the theme: “Spiritual Cooperation”
The meeting commenced with an opening Mass presided over by the PMS National Director, Rev. Fr. Solomon Patrick Zaku. In his homily, Fr. Zaku elaborated on the parable of the Sower, he reiterated that as Coordinators of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the responsibility of sowing the word is entrusted to them, he encouraged them not to only sow the word but nurture the seed as the Pontifical Mission Societies has the goal of promoting universal missionary Spirit.
The opening ceremonies commenced with the enthronement of the Bible. Rev.Fr. Lawrence Emehel, CBCN Secretary, Interreligious Dialogue Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria presented a paper on the theme: ‘Spiritual Cooperation’. He noted that the Pontifical Mission Societies have functioned in and for the church for over a hundred years , carrying the message of Christ through evangelization to the whole world, including very difficult terrain. Fr Lawrence acknowledged the great work done by the past PMS National Directors especially Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe and Very Rev. Fr. George Olusegun Ajana whose footprints cannot be forgotten in the history of PMS in Nigeria. He also commended the PMS National Director, Rev. Fr. Solomon Patrick Zaku who continues to build on the successes of his predecessors.
He sees spiritual cooperation as communion citing the 1993 World Mission Sunday message of St. Pope John Paul II which made the point that prayer is “an indispensable source of energy for attaining maturity in the knowledge of God and in awareness of the Church”. He stated that Collaboration and cooperation enhance high performance in organizations also by leading the team through a spiritual-psychic balance that proposes shared values in Christ prompted by prayer and meditation. This is very important today due to what Fr. Jeffrey Kirby describes as a sovereign-self mentality where people forget that they are together and there is a desire to accomplish all alone with none but me.
Special guests at the opening ceremonies were: Very Rev.Fr. Zacharia Samjumi, Secretary General Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh-National Director of the Directorate of Social Communications, Rev.Fr. Nicholas Djeba- CBCN Secretary for Synods and Pilgrimages. They all gave their goodwill messages.
The meeting ended with a closing Mass presided over by Fr. Francis Ujah POF Coordinator, Otukpo Diocese while the National Director thanked all who attended and encouraged them to put into practice all they have learned when they get to their respective Dioceses.
