Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Warsaw (Fides Service) - The Polish branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) is soon to hold the 6th National Holy Childhood Congress, we are told by National PMS Director Fr. Jan Piotrowski. The Congress will have two stages, one on June 1 at the Marian Shrine of Jasna Góra in Czestochowa, and the other on June 10 at Tczew in the diocese of Pelplin in northern Poland.
The theme of both meetings is connected with the 2005/2006 formation programme: “Carrying Christ to the World”. “During this school year our programme of missionary formation has focussed on Jesus who offers us his Good News and our duty to carry it to people who have yet to encounter Jesus” said Fr. Jan.
In preparation for the Congress, says Fr. Jan, children and adolescents of Holy Childhood wrote personal messages to their brothers and sisters and sent letters to the PMS national office. The message and letters will be on view at a mural exhibition as a form of missionary animation for visitors. Congress activities include catechesis on the theme and meetings in five groups, one for each continent of the world, to help the children know how their brothers and sisters live in other parts of the world.
At Jasna Góra there will be a play on the Holy Childhood Society and St Therese of Lisieux. The Mass at Jasna Gora will be presided by Bishop Krzysztof Bialasik SVD Bishop of Oruro in Bolivia, whereas Bishop Jan Bernard Szalga of Pelplin diocese will preside the Mass at Tczew. Money collected on both occasions will go in aid of children in need in Sudan. At the end of the Congress each child will receive 2 Holy Pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a prayer on the back which they in turn will give to a member of the family or a friend. This form of participation will be an opportunity for missionary apostolate. "We hope this national mission event will help to intensify the activity of Holy Childhood in our country, especially as we are preparing to celebrate in 2008 the 150th anniversary of the presence of the Pontifical Mission Societies here in Poland - Fr Jan concludes. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2006; righe 27, parole 372)
