It was already a long desire of Fr. Mark Vilos, mission director of the Diocese of Dumaguete, to invite the PMS national director to come to his diocese and give a talk to the clergy and religious about the works of the Pontifical Mission Societies. As the diocesan mission director he thought that the presence of the national director would definitely have an impact in terms of interest and support from the clergy and religious and help as well boost the morale of his mission team especially in light of his plan to organize a Diocesan Mission Congress in 2012 as a diocesan celebration of the PMS’ 80th anniversary in the Philippines.
With the strong support of his bishop, Most Rev. John Du, Fr. Vilos got what he desired a long time ago -- a visit to his diocese of the PMS national director, Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP, and the PMS national formation coordinator, Mr. Anthony Dameg, last August 22-25, 2011.
As it turned out, the visit was very productive; it covered the following activities:
- August 22, Monday: a visit to St. Joseph College Seminary in which the national director gave a talk to the seminarians about the life and spirituality of Jeanne Bigard, foundress of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle;
- August 23, Tuesday: in the morning Fr. Mesiona gave a talk to the diocesan clergy; then in the afternoon it was the turn of Mr. Dameg to speak to the religious and diocesan school representatives. Both speakers talked about the four pontifical societies; it was also during this gathering that Fr. Vilos presented his office plan to organize a Diocesan Mission Congress in 2012. The rest of the afternoon till evening was spent visiting orphanages that received support from the PMS.
- August 24, Wednesday: They continued to visit another orphanage that also received help and support from PMS.
After the visit Fr. Vilos was upbeat that all plans and activities relative to his office as mission director would take-off smoothly. Although it means more work in the future, he was happy he could make a meaningful contribution in advancing the goals and objectives of the PMS in particular and the missionary activities of the church in general.
