Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) – Preparations continue for the celebration of the Third American Missionary Congress (CAM 3), which will take place in Quito (Ecuador) on August 12-17. The participants will be provided accommodations in the homes of 3,000 families living in various different areas, from a total of 87 parishes in the Archdiocese of Quito.
These families have begun their formative preparation for CAM 3. On May 18, beginning at 3pm, in the presence of members of the Animation Committee for the event, there was a meeting with 80 families from the Sur Chimbacalle area, who will host one or more missionaries in their homes. This first encounter was held in the Parish of Christ the Savior, in order to inform the families as to their responsibilities as close collaborators in the Third American Missionary Congress.
The animation and formation group is formed by Fr. Mario Vaca, head of the area, Sr. Rosmary Appaza, Sr. Catalina Codd, and Sandra Chang. Monsignor Luis Tapia, Coordinator of the Committee Headquarters, took the opportunity to thank the families for the generosity that they have shown in their willingness to host these participants. The assistants received information on the Church’s mission and the participation of the laity; they learned the hymn and prayer of CAM, as well as the history of the Missionary Congresses, and they made the commitment to fulfill the mission that every home and family try to offer their best welcome and care for their guests in August.
According to information from the Executive Secretary of CAM 3, a large number of registrations have already arrived from various places across the continent. As of now, there have been registrations made from Uruguay, Colombia, Honduras, the United States, Canada, as well as special guests from Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Papua New Guinea.
The Congress will open will a Mass on August 12 at 3pm, in the Coliseo General Rumiñahui, which has a capacity of 18,000 people. The talks, panels, and testimonies will all be held in the Ágora de la Casa de la Cultura del Ecuador on the mornings of August 13, 14, and 15. It has a capacity of 4,000 people. The forum discussions will be in the Pontifical University of Ecuador and in the Salesian Poly-Technical University in the afternoon of the same days. The closing Mass, including a missionary sending and a launching of the Great Continental Mission, will take place at the Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria in Quito, which has a capacity of 30,000 people. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 2/6/2008)
