Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San José (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church in Costa Rica continues to follow a plan drafted by the Pontifical Mission Societies and the National Mission Council in preparation for the Third America Mission Congress CAM3 in Quito (Ecuador) 12 to 17 August this year. Fides received a report on this activity from Alexander Q. Castillo a member of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Costa Rica.
It was the National Mission Council which drafted programme in preparation for CAM 2 and as with this latest programme for CAM 3, it consists of a specific priority for each years, following guidelines proposed by CAM 3 central commission. The year 2005 was devoted to rendering more efficient the National Missions Council and Diocesan missions commissions. In 2006 attention was given to formation of missionaries all over the country in three specific areas: new evangelisation and mission, Pentecost, Mission Ad gentes and General Conferences of the Latin American Bishops Conferences. This covered the main points of CAM 3.
In 2007, Alexander Q. Castillo told Fides, the aim was to foster a missionary experience, with two workshops: “Preparing and leading a parish mission”. As part of this activity a team of 17 missionaries went to El Salvador to lead a parish mission in the archdiocese of San Salvador.
Preparation in 2008 will focus on two specific points: study CAM 3 Working Paper, presented to diocesan mission commissions last 10 November 2007, and form the delegation to represent the Church in Costa Rica at CAM 3. The programme includes three study meetings on the Working Paper: the first held 26 January was attended by diocesan representatives from all over the country. The other two meetings will be held in February and in April. On June 1 during a National CAM3 meeting for missionaries only, the names of the CAM3 Delegation to travel to Ecuador will be announced. The meeting will be held at the feet of an image of Our Lady of the Angels, to whom the country is dedicated. During the last week of July CAM3 delegates will take part in a spiritual retreat to give final impulse to their work in Ecuador. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2008; righe 30, parole 426)
