Saint John Paul II Institute of Theology JOPASIT, has graduated its first batch of catechists this 6th day of December 2024, at the Bishop Pius Awa Memorial Pastoral Centre. The event, which equally doubled as the 15th anniversary of JOPASIT, commenced with a Pontifical Mass in the Chapel of the Centre, celebrated by His Lordship Michael Bibi.
Graduation/15th anniversary of JOPASIT
In the course of the celebration, Bishop Michael Bibi, proprietor of JOPASIT encouraged graduates to continue the proclamation of the Gospel by words and actions. He reminded them that a catechist is one who communicates the Word of God and that the Holy Spirit uses them to carry out this task.
Bishop Bibi calls on graduates to hand over the entire truth of the Gospel
He thus urged the graduates to always use the magisterial documents provided by the church in carrying out the mission of spreading the Gospel. He emphasized that they must transmit the whole and entire truth, keeping in mind the mission of the church, which is guarding the deposit of the faith.
2024 graduation, JOPASIT
By their graduation, these catechists have been commissioned to go out to the world and proclaim the Good News. In doing so, the prelate invited them to be true agents of love and forgiveness and to assist one another. While he reminded them that challenges are a reality in this vocation, the Bishop equally called on them to be resilient and persevere in their faith.
keynote speaker, Rev. Fr. Epie Emmanuel
During the second part of the celebration, which started with an academic procession , the guest speaker Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Epie, Vocations Director of Buea Diocese, presented on the theme “Active and Conscious Participation in the Liturgy” . The Liturgy, he said is not only about what you can do but what God does. The liturgy is God’s action; he told graduates. He called on these trained catechists to lead faithful in the full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy.
Graduates receive diploma
At the celebration, the graduates promised to put into practice what they have learned and to do their best in handing down the faith.
The goal of JOPASIT it should be recalled is to propagate the growth in the Catholic Faith and teaching, and it was instituted by Bishop Emeritus Immanuel Bushu in 2007. It runs courses including Sacred Scripture, Catechesis, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, Canon Law and Church History.
Vote of Thanks by Director of JOPASIT, Fr. James
The event was attended among others by the ex-students of JOPASIT
