By Livinus Tal Bam
The Catholic Men's Association (CMA), Kumbo Deanery, in
one of its bi-monthly meetings, assembled at Meluf Parish, on Sunday June 29, 2008, in an attempt to continue forging on with their activities. These middle age and older men came out to this meeting to re-examine themselves as Christians and deliberate on how to foster the growth of the association, which is just shooting from its roots.
Following the adage that "it is not the number of times you fall that matters but how much you try to get up from the ground", the men in the Catholic Church; those in Kumbo Deanery in particular, are fast realizing that they have been left behind in the work of evangelization.
Prelude to the meeting hour that Sunday, the men demonstrated signs of self realization in church as they took the lead in all liturgical activities. Reports from other parishes that make up the Kumbo Deanery like Shisong, Melim, Kumbo, Mbve, Tobin and Meluf say men take active part in church especially at Sunday masses; and go beyond that to take up challenges in the spiritual and economic life of the church to ensure her growth.
The habit of solidarity among fellow members was seen to be one of the principal concerns in the midst of these mature men in the church. The women of Meluf parish expressed satisfaction to the bold step the men took, and affirmed their happiness to see men coming back to join them in the work of evangelization.
The church, the women said, is a family and there is never a secured family without a man. Members of the community who still shy away from both the CMA and CWA were called upon to join the groups, in the belief that it could be a path to salvation. Another key issue raised at this meeting was the problem of Catholic Education in the diocese. The men noted with great discontent that the Catholic schools all over the diocese have a big problem in terms of enrolment.
The men unanimously blamed themselves for not choosing proper education for their children. While some men sacrifice the education of their children to drinking, others simply send theirs to government schools, where moral upbringing is not a priority. The men were urged to make an extra effort each time to attend PTA meetings because it is the only avenue where they can know more about the situation of the schools.
It is the only forum where the catholic teacher's plight could be pushed to quarters, so that they can do their work in full spirit, and teach the children in the real Catholic way.
By Livinus Tal Bam
Source: http://www.leffortcamerounais.com