On the occasion of the 100th World Mission Sunday, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Togo organized a missionary outreach activity in two Christian communities: St. Joseph Parish in Akato and the Mary Gate of Heaven outstation, attached to Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish in Adidogomé.
For this activity, the CLM members divided into two teams. At the Mary Gate of Heaven outstation in Lankouvi, the team was made up of Ernest Botri and Jean Akitibi, while the outreach at St. Joseph Parish in Akato was led by Jean-Baptiste Gnimassoun and Benjamin Adjogble.
In both communities, the CLM members participated in the Eucharistic celebrations. After the Masses, they introduced the faithful to the identity, spirituality, and mission of the Comboni Lay Missionaries, inviting everyone to learn more about the Movement and to take part in its mission in service of the Church and the poorest and most marginalized.
Information leaflets were also distributed to the faithful. Those interested in learning more about the movement were invited to provide their contact details so that they could receive information about upcoming activities and the process of joining the CLM.
The priests present expressed their support for this missionary initiative. At Mary Gate of Heaven, Fr. Yves Gbenou, and at St. Joseph in Akato, Frs. Augustin Soedjede and Abraham Agnimaka, encouraged the faithful to take a greater interest in the missionary vocation of the laity. They also invited those interested to approach the CLM for further information and to discern their possible commitment to the movement.
At the end of the activity, the Lankouvi team joined the Akato team for a meeting with the Parish Priest, Fr. Augustin Soedjede. He congratulated the CLM members for their availability and missionary commitment. He also encouraged them to strengthen their collaboration with the parish and invited them to contribute to the animation of various pastoral activities.
The fraternal meeting concluded with a shared lunch in a warm and convivial atmosphere.
Through this initiative, the CLM of Togo once again sought to respond to the Church’s call to make every baptized person an active participant in the mission. The outreach also provided a valuable opportunity to make the vocation of the Comboni Lay Missionaries better known and to inspire new vocations to missionary service.
“A thousand lives for the mission”: a commitment that continues at the heart of our communities.
Ernest Segno Botri, CLM Togo
