Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quetzaltenango (Fides Service) - At the end of a solemn Mass to close the 2nd National Mission Congress in Guatemala held at the Mario Camposeco sports ground in Quezaltenago on Sunday 8 May with the participation of some 10,000 people, Archbishop Bruno Musarò papal nuncio in Peru presented the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” award to a two Maya k´iche Catechists Eusebio García and Catarino Tzin in recognition for their outstanding work of evangelisation among their own people.
Eusebio García aged 57 has been a catechist for 36 years in Totonicapán a town in one of the highest and coldest regions of the country situated about 207 km from Guatemala City. He started working with the Augustinian Recollect Fathers in the 1970s. Among his own Maya people he has worked tirelessly teaching catechism and promoting human development. He has been a faithful co-worker with priests all these years to promote the coming of the Kingdom of God. He is a Minister of the Word, a member of the parish choir and has also served as vice-mayor
Catarino Tzin aged 58 has taught catechism in many schools and villages around his home town Zunil among his own people for years. He has told them of God’s love for all men and women and taught them Christian and human values. After spending many years evangelising, he now prepares candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Archbishop Víctor Hugo Martínez of Los Altos said the two catechists who received the award represent many native men and women, simple people, great workers who dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel.
At the end of the Congress, which had focused on the theme “making our parishes missionary”, the participants adopted the following resolutions: mission must be part of all parish pastoral plans; better use of the media for evangelisation; concern for Christian formation, particularly for community leaders, in order to meet mission challenges; guaranteed formation for seminarians; help diocesan mission commissions to motivate parishes to walk with the Church at the national level and meet the challenges of mission; promote unity and communion among lay groups and among parishes to give new impulse to evangelisation activities; hold regular diocesan mission congresses . (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2005, righe 32, parole 435)
