AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Family month in times of pandemic: "With Mary, we experience the domestic Church"

Wednesday, 6 May 2020 coronavirus marian devotion family episcopal conferences

COLOMBIA

2023-07-03
Armed attack against two pastoral workers: reflection of violations of civil society

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The search for peace is based on respect for life, human dignity and dialogue, not on violence

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Families "promoters of human life, builders of society, custodians of the common home and active subjects of evangelization"

2023-05-16
Educating young people for peace, a sign of hope in the midst of the Colombian conflict

2023-05-03
Day of prayer for reconciliation and peace: peace is possible, it is necessary, it is everyone's responsibility

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The "District of Mercy": proclamation of the Gospel and promotion of human dignity in the center of the capital

Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - The Colombian Church usually celebrates "Family Week" in May, however, given the current reality due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year the Bishops have proposed to experience "Family Month" from May 3 to June 14, with the theme "With Mary, let us experience the domestic Church".
According to the note sent to Fides, the Department of Marriage and the Family of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (CEC) and the National Commission of Marriage and the Family invite to remain in prayer, to strengthen the bonds of fraternity, dialogue, respect and peaceful coexistence in homes. "Evangelization processes must continue, as well as the pastoral life of our parishes - says Father Juan Carlos Liévano, director of the Marriage and Family Department of CEC -. All this is new and is forcing us to create strategies for the fulfillment of our mission. The current situation puts us to the test in two ways: to survive and have minimal and dignified living conditions, but we must also continue to provide our service in the world".
Using the virtual meeting and interaction platforms, a series of topics for interactive catechesis are proposed, one for each week, which take into consideration different aspects of the family reality and of the members that make it up: Family, source of reconciliation and forgiveness. The mother, a reflection of God's tenderness. Children as a gift from God. In old age they will continue to bear fruit. Brothers, aunts and uncles, cousins, expression of communion and love that expands. A confident and shared love experience. Fatherhood as a source of mutual love.
Among the activities suggested to live this period, there are the collection of stories and photographs of the most important moments for each family; placing objects related to significant circumstances in a corner of the house; imagine what your family will look like in 10 or 15 years; write the topics you would like to talk about in the family on sheets of paper and take one out per day to discuss it together; make a list of people who love each other and who do not live in the family to send a message or video to; before the beginning of Mass that each parish broadcasts, present the names of family members who will be remembered in particular in that celebration… (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 6/5/2020)