PMS members meet in Miri

MIRI – The Pontifical Mission Societies’ (PMS) directors of each diocese from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei met and held their annual meeting in Miri from Jun 15-17.  With them was the Episcopal President for New Evangelization, Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese.

The theme chosen for discussion was “One Family in Mission”.  In the course of the meeting, they reflected on Pope Francis’ message released for World Mission Sunday 2015 in the context of the Year of Consecrated Life. In his message, the Holy Father stressed that there is an urgent need to reaffirm that the central idea of mission is Jesus Christ and there can be no compromise: those who by God’s grace accept the mission, are called to live the mission.

After reflection, they went on to discuss and share their experiences on mission life in each diocese. Archbishop John Wong laid special emphasis on the need to evangelize.

Discussion on Islamisation took place on how the children are affected in the schools and the need for the Church to catechize and form our children in the area of their faith.

Last year’s project of printing prayer booklets for children in Bahasa Malaysia has been successful. The prayer booklets were printed and distributed to each diocese. Its objective was to encourage children to pray and to become little missionaries in their own way.

This year, the directors have planned two more projects:  the first would be to print 11,000 copies of Children’s Bible to be distributed to the poor and needy; and the second to print the Evangelii Gaudium in Bahasa Malaysia for distribution to catechists. Both these books would be given free of charge.

The members also had the opportunity to join the Melanau Community for dinner and fellowship where they experienced the Melanau’s local dishes and cultural performances.  Bishop of Miri Diocese, Bishop Richard Ng joined them for the occasion.

On their last day, they visited Human Life Society and listened to a sharing by Dorothy on the sanctity of life and to protect the unborn.

Pontifical Mission Societies

The Pontifical Mission Societies is the name of a group of Catholic missionary societies that are under the canonical jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). These organizations include the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St Peter the Apostle, the Holy Childhood Association and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious.

Since 1922, the Pontifical Mission Societies have been the official missionary arm of the Catholic Church charged with the work of evangelization and charitable works throughout the world. Our work also provides mission awareness and supported by our benefactors, raises funds for the poorest mission churches of the Catholic Church. Mission Societies exist through the generosity of Catholics and plays a crucial role in combating poverty, disease, injustice and exploitation. With 120 offices worldwide, it is the only organization which supports every one of the 1,120 mission dioceses, Apostolic Vicariates, Apostolic Prefectures, Apostolic Administration and Mission: “Sui luris”. – Justina Sharon/www.missionsocieties.ca