Kenya’s PMS Launches Vocations Sunday Appeal to Revive Stalled Formation Projects

“I think the faithful were overwhelmed. There were so many contributions to be made when the churches were opened after the lengthy lockdown last year,” said Fr. Luchidio.

This year, Kenya’s PMS has set the same target of KSh.10 million, and hopes to achieve it despite the protracted restrictions against in-person worship across the country.

“We can only pray and hope that things will be different this year and that we shall be able to meet our target,” the PMS Director told ACI Africa.

The member of the Clergy of Kenya’s Kakamega Diocese added, “But with the ongoing restrictions, things aren’t looking up. Already, five counties in Kenya have been zoned with no in-person Church gatherings and in other places, only a third of the congregations are allowed for public worship. We can already foresee very little contribution towards the Vocations Sunday kitty.”

The Vocations Sunday Kitty is Pope Francis’ way of supporting the program of the Seminaries and Novitiates in Mission territories through the society of St. Peter the Apostle.

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This support, Fr. Luchidio explains, goes towards various extension projects in formation houses including construction of libraries, chapels and any other extraordinary work away from the normal learning.

It is also from this kitty that those in formation are supported through tuition, accommodation and payments that are made to Seminarians and Novices. Fr. Luchidio explains that in Kenya, Seminarians are paid US$ 430.00 while novices are paid US$400.00 every year.

In a communiqué addressed to Bishops, members of the Clergy, Religious and the lay faithful in Kenya, the PMS Director recalls Pope Francis’ message on formation of Priests and women and men Religious.

“Pope Francis reminds us always that the vocations’ promotion and guide is the key to authentic witness. Through formation programs, are the candidates able to make decisions to serve the people of God with dedication, diligence and love,” says Fr. Luchidio in the communiqué obtained by ACI Africa.

He notes that this year, Pope Francis gave the Church the model of St. Joseph, asking her members to dream of vocations in the example of the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ who is the patron saint of the Universal Church.

He says that in the Church’s dream for authentic vocations, there is a need to journey with all persons in the vocations team through constant prayers and material support “so that they can undertake the programs faithfully and with love.”

“It is at this point that we request all people of God to pray for vocations in this month of April, and on April 25, on the occasion of the 58th celebration of Vocation Sunday, we donate generously towards the work of St. Peter the Apostle, the Pontifical office that is charged with the responsibility of assisting the formation houses in the Church,” Fr. Luchidio says in his communiqué dated April 12.

Corporates, Church organizations, and especially Parishes all over the country have been called upon to start directing their contributions to promote vocations in the Church to KCCB-PMS Restricted Funds, Account Number 1178590927, NCBA Bank, Mall Branch Westlands.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.