BUILDING TRUE APOSTOLIC WITNESS: CLARETIANS STRESS SELF-SUSTAINABILITY IN MISSION AT SEMINAR FOR FORMANDII
by cmf
The East Nigeria Province of the Claretian Missionaries convened a seminar for its formation houses for the first half of the year on March 16, 2026, focusing on the theme “Self-Sustainability: An Important Element of Mission.” The event brought together participants from Claretian Theology House, Attakwu, Heart of Mary Novitiate Utonkon and the Claretian Formation House, Nekede, reaffirming the province’s dedication to preparing missionaries who are spiritually and practically equipped for contemporary challenges as well as building missionaries with spirit and tact for the future.
The seminar was organised by the province’s prefecture of formation and Fr. Vincent Okoye, CMF, Manager of Claret Table Water and member of the Provincial Economic Council, facilitated the session. Fr. Okoye presented a framework for integrating economic sustainability into the broader mission of evangelization and gave a comprehensive roadmap for balancing spiritual mandates with economic realities. He clarified that for the Congregation, financial activities are never merely for profit; rather, the economy exists strictly to fuel the apostolate.
In his address, Fr. Okoye underscored that all economic initiatives must reflect Christian values and maintain highest standards of excellence, embody ethical stewardship, and remain rooted in the values of community life. It must bring forth that zeal of Fr. Claret for the poorest of the poor. He explained that projects should be transparent, reflecting accountability while ensuring that their ultimate purpose is to advance the mission rather than commercial gain.
In an era of dwindling external support and the expanding needs of the mission, Fr. Okoye emphasized that self-sustainability is no longer optional. This he said would be of great importance not only for the missions of the province but for the universal congregation and others via mission collaboration. He challenged the students to view their individual talents, skills, and hard work as vital contributions to the common good of the Organism and the church which would play a great role in their involvement in missionary evangelization by creating grounds for empowerment of the evangelised poor through skill acquisition.
“Self-sustainability is a necessary response to the growing needs of our members and the communities we serve”, Fr. Okoye noted, encouraging the next generation of missionaries to be proactive and industrious.
The seminar concluded with a lively interactive session, where students engaged Fr. Okoye on different topics concerning potential economic projects and their role in strengthening missionary outreach. The gathering reinforced the East Nigeria Province’s commitment to forming missionaries who are spiritually, intellectually, pastorally, and humanly grounded, ready to respond effectively to the signs of the times. The day witnessed an atmosphere of satisfaction and readiness to focus on the mission and vocation which is the call of every Claretian Missionary.
Recommended Posts
YOUTH AND CHILDREN BIBLE CAMP 2026
April 11, 2026
