AFRICA/EGYPT - Several activities of the Catholic Church in Egypt: youth gathering, women's retreat

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) – This August, the Catholic Church in Egypt did not go on vacations, but instead offered its faithful several activities oriented towards spirituality and reflection.
In mid-August, there was a large youth gathering held at Moukatam Hill in Cairo. The event was attended by some 300 young Catholics, who came together to pray, meditate, and listen to the catechism, as well as attend Mass. The event was presided by Bishop Makarios Tawfik of Ismaelia, Director of the Youth Committee, who took great efforts in making this event known to all the Catholic youth.
The Coptic Catholic Ladies Committee attended a 2-day retreat at Saint Catherine's Chuch in Alexandria, on the theme: “You are the light of the world!” Women from various Egyptian eparchies attended. The event was presided by Monsignor Hanna Kolta, Vicar of His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church.
Among the events scheduled for September is Marian prayer and reflection organized by the Focolare Movement in Egypt. This will be held September 17-21 at Villa San Marco in Borg El Arab (30 km west of Alexandria), where families will be able to enjoy a spiritual and social gathering. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2009)