CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Portugal: Children for a better nation”In these moments of crisis we need to look at the future with truthfulness, joy, and hope”, said the bishop of Aveiro, Msgr. António Francisco dos Santos, in the homily for the national Children Pilgrimage Mass, celebrated on June 10, that marks the Feast of the Nation. The prelate addressed the children, and said: “We wish to create a better Portugal for you, to pray and be with you together with Jesus and the Virgin Mary”. Over 250 thousand people attended the event, along with 50 thousand invited children, who occupied the entire esplanade and the steps in front of the Basilica. The bishop told them “The Holy Virgin spoke extensively of God to the three shepherd children of Fatima, Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco, children just like you, and taught them to be friends of Jesus”. “Adoring Jesus means telling Jesus what we feel in our hearts, like when we embrace our parents or our siblings, so that they may know how much we love them. We adore Jesus when we smile and we speak well of someone, when we pay attention in school, when we do our homework, when we don’t waste water and tear plants, when we take part in the catechesis, and when we pray with our parents”, said Msgr. Dos Santos. At the end of the liturgy everyone received a leaflet with the story of the apparitions and the Angel’s prayers. Also the bishop of Leiria-Fátima, Msgr. António Marto greeted the crowd of children. He said: “You are a beautiful sight; all of you participating with your coloured caps and shirts and your enlightening smiles. You are a sight of beauty and joy, that all of Portugal needs and deserves to see”.Ireland: the Festival of Peoples The Festival of Peoples was celebrated on the eve of Pentecost. Faithful arriving from all over the world gathered on June 11 in St. Mary’s pro cathedral. Attendants from India, China, South America and Africa wearing their national costumes were welcomed by the archbishop of Dublin, primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Msgr. Diarmuid Martin. “Our celebration this evening of the Festival of Peoples – he said – is one indication of the change that is taking place in Irish society. This evening we, the Church in Dublin, celebrate with Catholic believers from many parts of the world who have come to make their home here in Ireland and to enrich us with their heritage and their contribution to the economic, social and cultural fabric of Irish society”. The archbishop addressed words of welcome and gratitude also to faithful from other Christian denominations, to Ireland’s Jewish community, to Muslim faithful and from different faiths. He added: “Contrary to what is often said, the rich ethnic diversity which is a growing characteristic of today’s Ireland has also brought about religious renewal”. He thus underlined that at Pentecost the Spirit “inspires our reason” not allowing it “to create division” with “racism and racist discrimination”. The Spirit, he continued, “can inspire our reason to work to foster unity and to reject the falsehood of ideologies which divide”. France: a “databank” for catechesis Over two hundred documents and tools for catechesis have been published in France in conjunction with the National Catechesis and Catechumenate Service (SNCC) of the French Bishops’ Conference. The proposals are designed to accompany the paths of faith of children, adolescents and adults in various contexts (schools, parishes…). Five years ago, the bishops published the national Catechesis Guidelines in France. Today, with the dioceses’ cooperation, five series of directions will be available for the congregations. “This is something new, as it addresses all age groups and backgrounds”, explained Fr Luc Mellet, SNCC director. Its significance also lies in the fact that – apart from the availability of the “catechesis databank” – there are no longer linear “catechetical directions”, but rather “itineraries” with the option of different styles, forms and emphases. There are more traditional proposals such as the preparation for Confirmation, but there are also innovative proposals such as those regarding marriage preparation. The Word of God remains the cornerstone, presented in the times of the liturgical year. The “data bank” of Catechetical tools includes audiovisuals such as a recent DVD on the Silence of the Cross, produced by the National Catechesis Service, widely viewed by adults and adolescents alike. The French weekly “L’Aurore du bourbonnais” will present the challenging work conducted by the National Catechesis Service of the French Bishops’ Conference, marked by the publication of tools and guidelines for catechesis.
