AMERICA/COLOMBIA - National Family Week “The Family: first school of discipleship and mission ”

Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - The Family: first school of discipleship and mission is the theme of the National Family Week 2007 which the Church in Colombia will hold from 8 May to 3 June. The theme is in keeping with that of the 5th General Conference of the Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean being held in Aparecida "Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ that our peoples may have life in Him".
The objectives of the Family Week are the following: foster reflection on discipleship and mission in the family in order to enhance family identity and participation in the Church and the world; identify pedagogical itineraries to help family members live as disciples and missionaries; reflect on the Christian family's mission in the present social situation and intensify family commitment to be a domestic church and the fundamental nucleus of society.
Material to foster reflection during the Week was prepared by the Bishops' Commission for Family, Life and the Lay state of life and distributed to diocesan family pastoral delegates, leaders of pro-family and pro-life movements and pastoral operators in general involved in pastoral care for marriage and family. The material consists of a handbook on four main themes: Family, domestic church, community of life and love; Pedagogy for discipleship in the family; Missionary family school of mission; Mission of the Christian family in today's social context. The handbook offers important elements for reflection on the main theme and a biblical reference for every theme and suggestions for liturgical celebrations in groups, assemblies and communities. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2007; righe 23, parole 291)