Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - The ad hoc committee responsible for the organization and promotion of the Great Continental Mission is holding its meeting April 16-17 in Bogota (Colombia), at the headquarters of the General Secretariate of CELAM. The meeting is being presided by Bishop Victor Sanchez, Secretary General of CELAM. The meeting’s main objectives are: to analyze the progress being made in the production of materials for the Mission’s promotion, discuss the suggestions made in past meetings of the Secretary Generals and Presidents of Bishops’ Conferences in March, and to determine details of the “launching” ceremony for the Continental Mission. During the meeting, there will also be an opportunity for the heads of the various departments to offer their comments and to thus specify what services can be carried out in each area, with the initiatives of the Continental Mission.
In the meeting held March 6-7, it was decided that the Great Continental Mission would be launched August 17, 2008. The date has been chosen because it is the day that the Third American Missionary Congress (CAM 3), in Quito (Ecuador), comes to a close; thus, the two activities will coincide, considering that the Congress is both missionary and American. The conclusion of the CAM 3 will take place with a Mass, attended by the presidents of the 22 Bishops’ Conferences that form CELAM.
The Continental Mission, according to the proposal made by the ad hoc committee and approved by the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences, there will be 4 stages that will take place simultaneously, with flexibility, and expansion. The stages are: creating awareness among those who work in pastoral care and in evangelization; in-depth formation for the main groups; sectional missions; and territorial missions.
The Latin American Bishops’ Council has also announced a song-writing contest, entitled, “Sing to Jesus in the Continental Mission,” where the songs will be centered on this great event that was asked of the Church in America at Aparecida. Catholic composers from all over the continent are encouraged to participate. The CELAM website has all the contest rules and registration forms. May 15 is the deadline for registration, and June 15 is the deadline for song admission. A “jury” of 5 qualified experts in religious music will choose three songs that will be presented in the launching of the Continental Mission in Quito. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2008; righe 30, parole 388)
