Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – “For the past ten years the archdiocese of Mexico has undertaken a process of pastoral renewal by means of a new a vigorous missionary project, the fruit of the 2nd archdiocesan Synod (1991-1994). A constant increase in missionary awareness through ordinary pastoral care have produced fruits such as the promotion and better organisation of mission ad gentes” Father Arturo Barranco Cruz, head of the Commission for Missionary Pastoral of Mexico City archdiocese.
Every year the Commission for Missionary Pastoral (OMPE), which has the task of forming and animating the missionary spirit of the faithful in the archdiocese, organises various activities for this purpose: congresses, missionary camps, meetings of formation and animation, and “Missiology Weeks”. These Weeks, which aim to sustain and strengthen the missionary formation and spirituality of pastoral worker are held every year with a theme related with the general theme of the archdiocese (for 2003: the Missionary Parish) reflecting on it in its commitments at the ad gentes missionary level “ad Gentes” (this year preparation for the all American Missionary Congress to be held in Guatemala, in November). The “Missiology Weeks” will take place from 21 July to 1st August with the slogan: “Church your life is mission!”. Participants will be pastoral workers: priests, religious and laity. One of the main objectives of the organisers is to promote “a spirit of communion and prayer in preparation for the 2nd all American Missionary Congress”
The following themes will be examined during these two weeks of intense study and reflection: week one (21-25 July): “encounter with the living Jesus Christ: conversion, communion and solidarity”; “the spirituality of the people of God from in and for mission”; “Families, youth and children, agents of mission”; “Mission: life of the parish community”; “Christian initiation in the evangelising process ”. Week two (28 July – 1 August): “mission and the challenges of globalisation, cultures and human migration”; “ mission and the challenges of fundamentalist groups and new religious movements ”; “lay missionaries hope of the Church”; “Mary, disciple and apostle”. The conferences will be given by members of major missionary institutes: Missionaries of Guadalupe, Comboni Missionaries, Divine Word Missionaries, Xaverians, Comboni Sisters and the Servants of the Word. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 24/06/2003; lines 28, words 356).
