Escuintla (Fides Service) - “With Mary to proclaim the Gospel of life and peace” is the slogan chosen for Escuintla diocese’s first Diocesan Mission Congress which opened on 12 November. Priests, religious and lay people from parishes and communities are taking part in the Congress which aims to “increase mission awareness and impulse in the diocese and open new paths for missionary activity”. The slogan was chosen in keeping with the Marian Year being observed by
Escuintla diocese, Father Antonio Bernasconi, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Guatemala told Fides.
The Congress will be an opportunity to encourage missionaries to continue their work of evangelisation, to increase mission awareness and impulse in parishes, share mission experiences and plan missionary work for the coming years.
Day one of the Congress, 12 November dedicated to the Lord present in the Eucharist, opened with a welcome ceremony, opening prayer and conference by the National Director. The main conference on “Missionary Spirituality” was given by Bishop Victor Hugo Palma Coadjutor Bishop of Escuintla. At the end of the morning participants formed work groups. Day two, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception to mark the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma, opened with a prayer and renewal of devotion to Mary, followed by conferences on the following themes: “The Missionary Parish” and “Mary and the Church’s Mission”. In the morning the different parish delegations had separate meetings with their respective parish priests and in the afternoon, after work groups the participants attended Mass in different mission zones.
The final day Sunday 14, will focus on the Church to emphasise that the whole diocese gathered around the altar as one community presided by the Bishop is sent to proclaim the Gospel of life and peace. The daily conference will reflect on “New Paths for Mission”. After work groups and final conclusions, the participants will take part in the closing Mass. On the occasion of the Mission Congress the diocese organised an exhibition “Paths of Evangelisation” on the work of the great missionary Saints and mission situations today all over the world.
America/Guatemala: info Escuintla diocese (Pontifical Year Book 2004)
area 4.384 sq. km; population 1,000,000; Catholics 700,000; parishes 15; churches 240; diocesan priests 16; religious priests 1; Brothers 1; women religious 42; major seminarians 7; schools 11; charity centres 6; annual baptisms 5,647.
(R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 13/11/2004, righe 35, parole 460)