AMERICA/GUATEMALA - Centenary of the Archdiocese of Los Altos: "Evangelizing, forming disciples, bearing witness has been, is and will be our commitment"

Friday, 9 April 2021 anniversaries   local churches   bishops   coronavirus  

Los Altos (Agenzia Fides) - "On July 27, 2021 we will celebrate the first centenary of the creation of the diocese of Los Altos. This centennial raises two actions. This event arouses two attitudes. On the one hand, thanks to God because he allows us to be members of his Church in this Archdiocese; on the other hand, the prayer of supplication so that his grace may guide us in future years". This was written by the Archbishop of Los Altos, Quelzaltenango-Totonicapan, Mgr. Mario Alberto Molina Palma, OAR, in his Pastoral Letter to the People of God, dated Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021.
The Archbishop remembers the Bishops who have succeeded in this diocese, archdiocese since 1996 from which five other dioceses have originated, local and foreign, secular and religious priests, in particular those who during the difficult years of reorganization and violence of the armed conflict, "served and guided the people of God in this land". Then he gives thanks to the innumerable consecrated women who, in the fields of education, health, care for the elderly, catechetical formation and social promotion "collaborated in the task of evangelization". He also addresses a special thanks to the laity, "who in all ages have offered their time, their ingenuity, their personal sacrifices to collaborate with the Pastors, replacing them and representing them in the guidance and coordination of the communities, in catechesis and evangelization".
On the occasion of the centenary, an academic study on the history of the diocese will be published, as there is little information about it. However, theological and historical material has been prepared to organize conferences, video clips, radio and television programs to prepare this event reflecting on the nature of the Church and the Christian faith.
In his pastoral letter, the Archbishop invites us to give thanks to God, "Lord of the Church and of time ... for the faith we have known and received ... for the service and ministry of the people who were instruments in his hands because through them faith reached us and so many works of evangelization, catechesis and charity were carried out".
Bishop Molina also invites all communities to offer the Holy Eucharist as thanksgiving on Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 July 2021. On Tuesday 27, the anniversary date, the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the local Church with biblical readings appropriate for the occasion.
Unfortunately, says the Archbishop, the health situation prevents a community celebration of the entire Archdiocese, with the participation of priests, religious and laity from all communities, but he hopes that it can take place in the future.
In the second part of the Letter, Monsignor Molina invites us to look to the future with hope, outlining a broad panorama of the current situation and indicating some pastoral options that must be taken.
Finally, the Archbishop recalls that "Evangelizing, forming disciples, living as the Church of Jesus Christ, bearing witness to the world of our hope, has been, is and will be our commitment. Undoubtedly God arouses thoughts, inspires decisions, energizes works. Each one of us contributes the thoughts, decisions and works that he conscientiously believes will contribute to the proclamation of the Gospel, to the edification of the Church and to the formation of the faithful and to the achievement of the final objective that is the life of holiness in God". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 9/4/2021)


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