The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) have identified four points of action for the Church in the Caribbean, highlighting the importance of catechetical programs. Through catechesis, young people and adults are introduced to the Catholic faith and formed as disciples. The 2020 Directory for Catechesis reminds us that, in today’s secular world, catechesis must be kerygmatic, evangelizing, and centered on a living encounter with Christ.
To strengthen formation, the PMS team under Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has prepared three online teachings for catechists on Thursdays September 11, 18, and 25 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time (8:00 p.m. French Guiana & Suriname; 6:00 p.m. Jamaica; 5:00 p.m. Belize). Speakers include Bishop John Persaud, Mr. George Alayon, and Mrs. Bernadette Gopaul. Catechetical teams are encouraged to participate fully.
From September 28–30, PMS Directors will gather in Suriname for a Formation Meeting. This session will focus on magisterial documents and the Synod on Synodality, with a strong emphasis on mission and evangelization. The group will also plan strategies for promoting Missionary Childhood, nurturing in children and youth a personal relationship with Christ and a missionary spirit.
Looking ahead, Mission Month 2025 will be celebrated under the theme: “Missionaries of hope among the nations.” Each diocese is invited to prepare a message encouraging clergy, religious, and faithful to embrace this theme and to contribute generously to the Mission Sunday Collection, which showed an increase last year. Four online study sessions, open to all, will be held on Thursdays October 9, 16, 23, and 30.
Finally, in July, clergy from Mandeville and Montego Bay participated in a Workshop on Evangelization and Missionary Parishes, led by PMS. Similar workshops can be offered in other AEC dioceses next year.
Together, these initiatives reflect our shared call to live as true missionaries of hope in the Caribbean.
