AMERICA/GUATEMALA - “We will make our parish missionary”: 23 May opens year of preparation for National Mission Congress called by Bishops Conference for May 2005

Guatemala City (Fides) - After having the joy of hosting the Second Mission Congress Missionario (CAM 2), held in Guatemala City in November 2003, the Bishops of Guatemala decided to hold, as a first fruit of that major Church event, a National Mission Congress with the theme “We will make our parish missionary”. The Congress will be held at Quetzaltenango 6 - 8 May 2005.
In a statement to announce the event the Bishops say the main goal of the National Mission Congress will be to implement the proposals adopted by CAM 2 and that important event will be preceded with a year of preparation from the Feast of the Ascension 2004, (23 May) to the Feast of the Ascension 2005 (8 May). The feast of the Ascension was chosen since it recalls the missionary command Jesus gave to his disciples and which is a duty for all Christians: before ascending to the Father, Jesus said “Go out into the world and preach the Gospel to all peoples” (cfr. Mk 16,15).
During the year of preparation the local communities will reflect on certain points highlighted in the CAM2 Conclusions and how to implement them in every diocese and parish. The topics include: “An encounter with the living Jesus: conversion, communion, solidarity”; “The spirituality of the People of God from mission, in mission and for mission”; “Families, young people and children active in mission”; “Mission, the life of the parish community”.
The Bishops’ statement ends with a call to children, young people, families, movements parish communities to take an active part in preparing for and celebrating the National Mission Congress. The Bishops urge especially the people of Quetzaltenango, where the Congress will be held, to pray and work for the success of the event following the example of the people of Guatemala City on the occasion of CAM 2. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 19/5/2004 - Righe 23; Parole 308).