The Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate recently held Phase III of the Evangelisation Training Programme at the Alfons Merten’s Centre in Donkorkrom for the catechists in the Vicariate.
The five days’ workshop was on the theme “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” Mark 16:15. This was the last phase of the Evangelization Training Programme, which seeks to deepen in the participants the practical aspects of evangelisation and becoming embodiment of prayer as agents of evangelization.
A total of 35 participants from six Parishes took part in the workshop. The workshop was animated by a team from the Mission and Ministries Department from the Headquarters of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Adomfie-Kumasi. The team was led by Mr. Emmanuel Tamakloe and assisted by Mr. Yaw Boateng and Mr. Noel Domeh. They led the catechists through various topics such as: Prayer as an Evangelisation Tool, Culture of Witnessing and Moving the Church from Maintenance to Mission.
Touching on the various topics, the facilitators entreated the catechists to make prayer a part of their daily activities in their various stations. They are to make prayer the pillar of their ministry, stressing the need to begin every activity with prayer. The source of our strength for our Christian apostolate is from God, which is through prayer.
Again, they stressed the need to witness one’s life. The fact that the world needs credible witnesses and not eloquent preachers, as was emphasised by Pope St. Paul VI. They must live what they preach because action speaks louder than words. As catechists, they must live exemplary lives to bring people closer to God.
The catechists were trained to see evangelisation as a key part of their ministry. They are made to know that it is God who has called them, not human beings. Hence, the need to trust God, who has called them, that he is always faithful. The fact that they should make God a key factor in their lives. The catechists were tasked to help raise mission-minded catechumens, families and the church as a whole. The church must be on mission in all facets of her life.
In his homily during the Thanksgiving Mass to climax the training session, Very Rev. Fr. Leopold Amevi Etchiodo Ettuh, who doubles as the Chancellor of the Vicariate and the Vicariate Catechist’s Director, indicated that they have been called and strengthened to carry on the mission of Christ, just as the apostles and the early disciples were called and strengthened by Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As the Spirit strengthened the early church in their moments of difficulties, they will equally experience the same in their line of duty.
The Catechists were commissioned by Fr. Leopold to go and be strong agents of evangelisation in their various communities. The catechists also had market and street evangelisation to bring the practical evangelisation to bear.
By Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo (AVD-DEPSOCOM)
