Venezuela – Parish Days for the Poorest
In the parish of Jesús Obrero de Los Flores de Catia, an apostolic work of the Society of Jesus, there is a constant tension to discern and operate within the horizon of the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) and the mission entrusted to it by the local Church. Such is the cross-cutting axis that runs through the parish's life and works, its raison d'être amid the complexity of this popular capital neighbourhood.
Pope Francis's constant invitations, the efforts of the Venezuelan Church to become vibrant and responsive, and the horizon of the UAPs, together with the Apostolic Plan of the Venezuelan Jesuit Province, altogether place us on the road to building the Church and society we desire.
The institutional processes are complex and slow, and although we are referring to the Christian community of this parish, it is still worth saying so. The urgencies and needs are varied; if there is no discernment, the temptation is to be absorbed by the urgencies and not discern what God may be inviting us to live. Therefore, by focusing on the UAPs, we see a sure path of action to begin walking towards what God is asking of us, even as we continue a constant process of discernment to contextualise the UAPs and what the Apostolic Plan points to regarding parish pastoral projects.
In the past year, we helped the Parish community grow in awareness of the needs of the neediest in our surroundings; this led to articulating activities that would help alleviate conditions. It gave birth to the "Parish Days for the Poorest." Each month we coordinate the contribution and collection of food from parishioners' homes; then, all food is brought to the Church, where we gather for mission send-off prayer. Next, volunteers are divided into groups to visit areas and deliver food to previously identified people and families living in difficult situations. Then they return to the Church to evaluate the activity and close with prayer. Within this scheme, the "Divine Mercy" group coordinates the previous activity and collects food during the month, especially during Sunday masses. At the end of the month, bags of food items are prepared and delivered to families with special needs.
The other axis of action concerns offering a space for faith, life formation, and recreation for children and young people of the parish, which we believe has been bearing fruit. These spaces, shared with the Instituto Jesús Obrero, are appreciated by the children, who do not want to leave, which is a crucial factor. During this newly opened school year, evangelisation has concentrated on a catechesis that is personalised. It is an approach to the person of Jesus of Nazareth based on the friendship the boys and girls themselves are experiencing. Regarding the fruits of the First Communion of children who made it last year, we now have a group called "Little Steps of Faith," proposed by the Huellas Youth Movement for the youngest children and another group, "White Footprints," for the older ones.
The challenges continue, and we hope in the Lord that we will be able to respond to what He asks of us and that the Parish of Jesús Obrero de Los Flores de Catia, will indeed be a leaven that will help transform this part of God’s Kingdom.
Johnnathan Giménez, S.J.
Source : Jesuitasvenezuela
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