AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Celebration for the 50th anniversary of Caritas in thanksgiving for “the privilege of being His instruments” and in preparation for “the next 50 years”

Monday, 31 March 2008

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Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) - This week, Caritas Bolivia will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Participating in the commemorative event on April 5-6 in Cochabamba are Bolivia’s 17 ecclesial jurisdictions, as well as guests from Argentina, Antilles, Brazil, Mexico, and Europe who will join the Bishops of Bolivia in thanksgiving for these 50 years of social and pastoral service. There have been various activities organized for the event, including an exposition on the institution’s history with photos, artifacts, etc. The celebrations will commence on Saturday, April 5, with a greeting from the President of Caritas Bolivia, Monsignor Luis Morgan Casey, and a message from Cardinal Julio Terrazas, President of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference.
The day’s celebrations will continue with various talks on Caritas’ services. Among the scheduled topics are: “Caritas’ Mission at the light of Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical ‘Deus Caritas Est’ and the Aparecida Document”; “Principle Work Guidelines 2007-2011 for Caritas of Latin America and the Caribbean”; “Fraternal Cooperation: its reality and its future”; “Caritas in the Parish: the need for it and its capacities”.
During the festivities on Sunday, April 6, there will be a recognition of the Presidents (Bishops) and former directors of the Pastoral and Social Services of Caritas Bolivia, as well as a recognition of the municipal authorities. There will also be testimonies from some of the beneficiaries. Later in the day, there will be a Mass in the Cathedral of Cochabamba, presided by Cardinal Julio Terrazas and concelebrated by the Bishops of Bolivia.
“We will celebrate these 50 years with a Eucharistic spirit, in thanksgiving to God for the infinite number of graces and gifts we have received, for the inspiration, for the privilege of being His instruments,” said Caritas Executive Secretary Roberto Barja. “We also ask that the Almighty continue to inspire us in our service, forgiving our weaknesses and imperfections. We greatly rejoice for the vitality of our Church in general, while we prepare ourselves for the next 50 years, at the light of the Gospel, with the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and with the protection of the Virgin Mary.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2008; righe 28, parole 346)