Rome, Italy. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the Prefects of Apostolate of the different Major Organisms of the Congregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary gathered together online through the Zoom platform from September 8 to 15, 2020, rather than in New York (USA) as previously planned. The Solidarity and Mission (SoMi) General Team also joined the meeting. Three Claretian translators (Spanish, English, and French) facilitated the smooth flow of communication.
Through the encounter, the participants became even more aware of the congregational journey towards the peripheries and youth. They shared projects and good practices of pastoral-missionary and ecological conversion taking place within their Provinces or Independent Delegations, and corresponding Interprovincial Conferences. The Prefects reflected upon and got more familiarized with the Claretian presence and action at the United Nations (NY) in a shared mission perspective. They were also invited to charismatically and creatively deepen, to be “rooted and audacious.” At the same time, they worked in groups and came up with contributions to the upcoming XXVI General Chapter and proposals to the General Prefecture of Apostolate.
These are some of the highlights of the encounter: the initial address by the Superior General, Mathew Vattamattam, CMF; the biblical reflection offered by Frs. Henry Omonisaye and Alberto Rossa, CMFF; the “New Perspectives in the Mission” shared by Fr. Cristo Rey, CMF; the “Sustainable Development Goals Agenda” by the UN Team; the witness from “Solidarity with South Sudan” by Fr. Christy John; and the new missionary initiative called “Claret 150 – Madagascar” presented by Priscilla Latela RMI.
At the end of the encounter, the Prefects of Apostolate offered a message to each Conference and left the encounter with deep joy, hope, and gratitude. They committed themselves to keep journeying, improving their skills, and moving forward while spreading the word that came out during the dialogue, discerned, and suggested for these challenging times.
Here is the video message of the Prefects:
To know more about the content of the program, final messages, daily chronicles, photos, etc., visit http://apostoladocmf.org/online-ix-2020.
Fr. Artur Teixeira, CMF
General Prefect of Apostolate
