Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Xin Zhou (Agenzia Fides) - “In these last four months of the Year of St. Paul, we should renew the evangelizing spirit of Saint Paul by announcing the Word of God in our parish.” These were the words of Fr. Pan Li Zhong, assistant pastor of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Tai Yuan, Province of Shan Xi, who led a 3-day retreat for the members of the Catholic Rosary Association in the city of Xin Zhou. The pre-Lenten retreat took place February 17-19. It was attended by some 50 lay members of the association and included meditations on Scripture passages, catechesis, Eucharistic Adoration, praying of the Rosary, and the Mass. The participants saw it as a time of renewal and conversion, in preparation for Lent.
Fr. Pan highlighted the themes of purification, prayer, unity, and interior renewal, in his talks and homilies. At the end of the retreat, he told participants: “Outside, it is really cold. But, after three days of spiritual 're-charge,' I think that each one of us has a warm fire in our hearts. This is the fire of evangelization. We have to bring this warmth of this fire to the faithful and non-Christians.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2009)
