AMERICA/VENEZUELA - “Family, be missionary disciples!” Family Week and National Family Hug Day

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - “Family, be missionary disciples” is the theme chosen for National Family Hug Day, which will take place on November 8 in Venezuela, as the conclusion to Family Week. The initiative is organized every year (beginning 19 years ago) by the Department for Family Ministry of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV) and is a “very special” time, as it “invites us to reflect, meditate, participate, and celebrate in our families, on what the family is, that place where new members of the Church and society are born, grow, and mature.”
As a letter presenting the activity sent to Agenzia Fides from the Director of the Department for Family and Children's Ministry of the CEV, Fr. Antonio J. Velazquez D., says, the theme is meant to focus on “the meaning and importance of being missionary disciples,” while trying to “analyze the importance and the testimony of life as what transmits the faith and transforms society.” In order to reach these goals, there will be several workshops and reflections, in accordance with the material provided by the Family Ministry Department in each diocese.
Considering that the celebration of the campaign is part of the Continental Mission in Venezuela, Fr. Velazquez invites all “those who work in family ministry, religious, catechists, laity, and teachers” to dedicate their “greatest efforts” in spreading family initiatives, in schools and in the media. The letter announcing the even concludes by invoking the “Holy Family of Nazareth,” that they “may bless all the families of Venezuela and inspire in all those who work in family ministry a missionary zeal and family benefits.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2009)