A 5 day National Workshop on SOMA from 1st -5th November held at Joti Center, Mirpurkhas was attended by around 30 participants accompanied by their Diocesan Directors from the Archdiocese of Karachi, Apostolic Vicariate of Quetta and Diocese of Hyderabad.
His Excellency, Bishop Khalid Rehmat of Quetta Vicariate and Chairman Pontifical Mission Societies Pakistan, Rev. Fr. Asif John, National Director PMS, were welcomed by Fr. Tariq Talib, Diocesan Director, PMS Hyderabad.
The Sessions conducted on Synodal Church by Bishop Khalid Rehmat, on Spirituality in Mission by Fr. James Castellino and Mission Footprints of St. Paul by Fr. Benjamin Shahzad led to strengthening the Missionary Communion of the participants for effective and efficient Collaboration in their Parishes.
Fr. Shahzad Khokhar stressed upon developing relational theological skills in order to integrate Missionary Childhood into Pastoral activities, Fr. Gulshan Barkat OMI presented an invigorating Session on Biblical and Patristic reflection on Evangelization. The Sessions communicated new ideas combined with Spiritual enlightment to the Animators.
His Grace Archbishop Benny Mario Travas was warmy welcomed on the 4th day of the Program by Fr. Sabir Sadiq, Vicar General-Diocese of Hyderabad. Students from Catholic Schools in the Diocese displayed their talents in the form of song, dance & tableaus.
Concluding the 5 day National Program on SOMA, Fr. Asif John on behalf of the National and Regional teams extended his thanks to Bishop Khalid for all the support and encouragement. He hoped to meet and work together more in Sindh, the land of diversities but living in one faith.
Fr. Asif and Bishop Khalid deeply touched by the mission of Sindh and Baluchistan, specially the challenges faced in these two provinces.
Fr. Asif has planned and would meet the Chairman and Diocesan Directors of PMS for further activities. He thanked Rev. Fr. Sabir Sadiq Vicar General and the representative of Bishop Samson Shukardin and the Core committee. He said that pilgrim church where responsibilities are given and the same to be executed as a Mission. St. Paul laboured as well while carrying out the Good News. Fr. Asif requested all Directors to send the personal witnesses of their participants.
Bishop Khalid stressed on learning from the sessions of the Church leaders given at Ayubia in July 2021 and here from 1st November to 5th November 2021.
Bishop Khalid Rehmat thanked Fr. Asif John and appreciated the talents of the members present. He advised all to take along the procedure of the Synod 2021-2023 earnestly.
The graceful event concluded with a joint slogan from the Participants One Family, One Mission!
Rev. Fr. Asif John, National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies Pakistan
