Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dushanbe (Fides Service) - Pastoral work in the Summer for the Catholic mission in Tajikistan does not take a holiday indeed it is even more intense. Besides routine pastoral activities the four Incarnate Word Missionaries from Argentina, Fr Juan Carles Sack, Fr Ezequiel Ayala, Fr Marcelo Brandan Fr Pedro López and three Argentinean Servants of the Lord and Our Lady of Matera, Sr. Maria Pocs, Sr. Marian Malaika and Sr Maria Blagovesia organise various activities for young people and children. Camps and daily outings to the mountains last all through the Summer. Fr Carlos Avila, Superior of the Tajikistan Mission told Fides about this work. “The camps are opportunities for evangelisation and education to human and spiritual values. The priests and sisters prepare with prayer to follow in the footsteps of Christ and work hard to plan everything. Working with profound personal and community commitment our priests and sisters want the children to draw as much spiritual benefit as possible”
The children take part in outings, games, competitions, lessons in catechism and conferences. They organise Scritpure plays. “The centre of every camp is the celebration of Mass and daily prayer. Every day starts with Mass and ends with eveing prayer and the rosary” Fr. Carlos told Fides.
Living side by side all day long children learn to share and make little sacrifices for the good of th group. “By taking part in the games, competitions and plays the children learn that goals are only obtained through hard work and effort”. The children truly enjoy these Summer activities. While contemplating the beauty of nature created by God they learn to think less of themselves and savour the joy of sharing with their friends, especially with the less fortunate. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 22/7/2005 - Righe 28, Parole 395)
