Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) - A group of nearly 80 catechists, priests, religious men and women, missionary workers, members of missionary volunteer groups, and heads of the Pontifical Mission Societies from the parishes of the Archdiocese of Czestochowa took part in the “Missionary Labs” (Workshops) that were held April 19. The main theme was: “Disciple of Christ - Missionary Worker.” In addition to the Archdiocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Fr. Jacek Gancarek, the event was also attended by Monsignor Jan Piotrowski, National Director of the PMS. Msgr. Piotrowski presented new materials available for missionary pastoral work and explained the program for the 7th National Congress of the Holy Childhood Association, to be held June 6-7, 2008 in Krakow- Łagiewniki, at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy. The Labs were also an opportunity for prayer, in thanksgiving for the 150th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Poland and the 50th anniversary of Pius XII’s encyclical, “Fidei Donum.” According to leaders of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, the 2008 Pastoral Year has been dubbed “Pontifical Mission Societies Year.”
“Through the Missionary Labs, we wish to present the value and importance of missionary work today,” Fr. Jacek Gancarek told Fides. Fr. Gancarek is the Archdiocesan Director of the PMS in Czestochowa and Archdiocesan delegate for the missions. “We also wish to offer the testimony of the missionary societies. In the parishes in our Archdiocese, there are so many groups and movements of the Pontifical Mission Societies. In the schools, as well, the missions are presented during Religion classes. The Missionary Labs are one of the pastoral initiatives geared especially towards young people and children. We want the children to give a new spiritual impulse to the Mission Societies in our Archdiocese. The children are the hope of our Church in Czestochowa.” There are currently priests and lay missionaries from the Archdiocese of Czestochowa working in various countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America (in Cameroon, Zambia, Argentina, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Ecuador, Philippines, and Tunisia) and in Eastern Europe (Belorussia and the Ukraine). (MF/SL) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2008; righe 29, parole 339)
