Il-Ħamis 21 ta’ Novembru 2024 ingħata bidu għall-Assemblea Djoċesana 2024. Din bdiet permezz b’mument ta’ talb u riflessjoni minn persuna mhux Maltija, li saret Kattolika wara tliet snin tgħix Malta, u li għamlet dan meta bdiet tirrealizza li hemm vojt f’ħajjitha.

L-Isqof Awżiljarju Joseph Galea-Curmi introduċa l-Assemblea u spjega x’se jiġri matul l-assemblea ta’ din is-sena, is-sinodu djoċesan li ilu għaddej 25 sena u kif il-Knisja f’Malta se tkompli taħdem biex tgħix f’sinodalità, “li tibqa’ dejjem ta’ sfida kbira għall-Knisja li ngħaqqdu flimkien il-parteċipazzjoni u l-kreattività mal-unità, mal-armonija, fid-direzzjoni u fil-ħidma”.

Dr Nadia Delicata, Delegat Episkopali għall‑Evanġelizzazzjoni, tat rendikont dwar il-proċess ekkleżjali ‘Knisja Waħda, Vjaġġ Wieħed’ li ilu għaddej erba’ snin u xi twettaq s’issa mid-dokument. Id-Delegat semmiet ukoll uħud mill-esperjenzi u r-riflessjonijiet tan-nies li pparteċipaw fis-16-il konverżazzjoni spiritwali li saru matul is-sajf. Għal dawn, kulħadd kien mistieden, mhux biss Insara iżda wkoll nies li jħaddnu twemmin ieħor, sabiex il-Knisja tifhem aħjar x’inhuma r-realtajiet, il-ħsibijiet, il-weġgħat u x-xewqat għall-Knisja biex verament tkun Knisja li tisma’, li tilqa’, li takkumpanja, u li toħroġ.

Fost it-temi diskussi kien hemm it-taqbidiet personali, il-komunità Kattolika u l-isfidi ġodda għall-Knisja lokali.

Knisja li toħroġ: x’qed tagħmel il-Knisja ma’ nies li jsibu ruħhom f’sitwazzjoni ta’ vulnerabbiltà – riċerka minn DISCERN

Matul ix-xhur li għaddew, Discern, l-istituzzjoni tal-Knisja responsabbli mir-riċerka, kien involut, flimkien ma’ oqsma oħra fi ħdan il-Knisja, f’ħidma biex jara x-xogħol li sar mill-Knisja Maltija man-nies li sabu ruħhom f’sitwazzjoni ta’ vulnerabbiltà fl-2023. Dan ix-xogħol sar minn għaqdiet li jiffurmaw parti mill-Knisja Maltija u l-parroċċi. Fl-Assemblea ġie ppreżentat biss ix-xogħol li sar mill-għaqdiet, li 44 minnhom qalu li qed jagħtu servizz f’dan il-qasam. Dawn imexxu 126 fergħa mnejn jingħata s-servizz. Is-servizzi li ngħataw kienu ta’ natura residenzjali, semi-residenzjali, fil-kommunità, promozzjoni ta’ drittijiet umani u żjajjar fl-isptarijiet u l-ħabs. B’kollox, dawn il-fergħat taw servizz lil 40,492 individwi, 2,276 familji u 797 koppja, xhieda li l-Knisja Maltija hija verament sptar fil-kamp tal-battalja.

L-Assemblea se tkompli u tintemm il-Ġimgħa, 22 ta’ Novembru, b’diskors mill-Arċisqof Charles Scicluna dwar l-esperjenza tiegħu waqt is-Sinodu u l-Ġublew tat-Tama 2025.

Għall‑Assemblea Djoċesana jattendu l‑provinċjali tal‑kongregazzjonijiet reliġjużi, il‑kappillani u rappreżentanti tal‑parroċċi kollha, mexxejja tal‑għaqdiet u l‑movimenti Kattoliċi, delegati u persuni oħra f’kunsilli tal‑Arċidjoċesi u nies oħra minn oqsma differenti tal-Knisja.

Following the positive response in July, the Church in Malta is inviting all Catholics in Malta to participate in one or more of the spiritual conversations that will be held this August.

As we journey throughout the year dedicated to the theme “Church that Goes Forth”, a series of spiritual conversations are being organised within the synodal process for ecclesial renewal One Church, One Journey.

During the theme’s launch last November 2023, participants at the Diocesan Assembly identified several topics that contribute to the local Church’s mission to go forth so that, in the spirit of St Paul the Apostle who proclaimed the gospel among us with gestures of healing, we too will reach out with “unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2) to heal wounds.

The topics discussed are personal struggles, the Catholic community, and the new challenges for the local Church. During these conversations, the Church aims to listen to one another and the Spirit as we discern the concrete actions the Church in Malta is being called to undertake in what Pope Francis describes as our “field hospital after the battlefield.”

Those who wish to attend can register using this link: https://journey.church.mt/spiritual-conversations-church-that-goes-forth/

The year 2024 of the synodal process for ecclesial renewal One Church, One Journey is dedicated to the theme “Church that Goes Forth”.

At the last Diocesan Assembly of November 2023 that launched the year, participants identified a number of themes where the local Church needs to go forth so that, in the spirit of St Paul the Apostle who proclaimed the gospel among us with gestures of healing, we too reach out with “unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2) to heal wounds.

The Church in Malta is inviting everyone who identifies as Catholic to participate in one or more of a series of spiritual conversations that can be attended either in person or online.

The themes discussed are personal struggles, the Christian community of missionary disciples and the new challenges for the local Church.

The aim of these conversations is to listen to one another and to the Spirit as we discern what concrete actions the Church in Malta is being called to undertake in what Pope Francis describes as our “field hospital after the battlefield.”

Those who wish to attend can register using this link: https://journey.church.mt/spiritual-conversations-church-that-goes-forth/

Il‑Knisja u s‑saċerdot kif jistgħu jkunu strument ta’ tama u fejqan fis‑soċjetà? Kif iħossu s‑saċerdot quddiem il‑ġrieħi tal‑persuni li jiltaqa’ magħhom? Is‑sagrament tar‑rikonċiljazzjoni x’futur għandu? Dawn huma ftit mill‑mistoqsijiet li saċerdoti djoċesani u reliġjużi ddiskutew fil‑jiem li għaddew waqt il‑laqgħa annwali tal‑Aġġornament għall‑Kleru bi tħejjija għall‑Ġublew tat‑Tama li se jsir is‑sena d‑dieħla.

Għal dawn il‑jiem ġie mistieden Prof. Johan de Tavernier, professur tat‑Teoloġija Etika, li stieden lis‑saċerdoti jirriflettu fuq kif il‑Knisja u s‑saċerdoti jistgħu jkunu effettivi fid‑dinja tal‑lum u x’inhuma l‑kwalitajiet li jistgħu jibnu fuqhom biex ikunu pellegrini tat‑tama u ministri ta’ rikonċiljazzjoni.

Matul l‑Aġġornament, il‑President Emeritu Marie‑Louise Colerio Preca, Desmond Zammit Marmarà u Peppi Azzopardi għenu lis‑saċerdoti jifhmu kif it‑tiftix għall‑verità iwassal lill‑Knisja tkompli tispira fiduċja u tama hi u twassal il‑messaġġ tagħha. Waqt il‑workshops, il‑lajċi u s‑saċerdoti qasmu l‑esperjenzi tagħhom, kemm tat‑tip ta’ weġgħat li jiltaqgħu magħhom kif ukoll ta’ inizjattivi li ħallew il‑ġid. Fost l‑oħrajn semmew kif fid‑dinja mgħaġġla tal‑lum, in‑nies huma mixtieqa minn persuna li tismagħhom u tilqagħhom mingħajr ġudizzju.

L‑Isqof Anton Teuma tkellem fuq is‑sagrament tal‑qrar bħala esperjenza tal‑imħabba b’xejn kontinwa ta’ Alla. Din il‑maħfra ta’ Alla turi l‑qawwa tagħha meta tagħmilna nies ġodda u terġa’ tqabbadna t‑triq lejn it‑tajjeb. Huwa identifika numru ta’ sfidi fil‑prattika tal‑qrar, fosthom il‑perfezzjoniżmu u l‑importanza żejda tal‑aspett uman tal‑qrar.

L‑Aġġornament tal‑Kleru ntemm b’messaġġ mill‑Arċisqof Charles Scicluna fejn apella lis‑saċerdoti biex bi kliemhom, bl‑eżempju u bis‑sagrifiċċji tagħhom ikunu verament ambaxxaturi tat‑tama. Stedinhom sabiex waqt is‑sagrament tar‑rikonċiljazzjoni juru mogħdrija mal‑persuna li ġiet tqerr u verament tħoss il‑paċi f’qalbha. L‑Arċisqof fakkar li l‑missjoni tas‑saċerdot hi li jkun missjunarju tal‑ħniena u rappreżentant ta’ Ġesù u għalhekk irid ikollu l‑qalb, il‑ħarsa u l‑atteġġjament tiegħu mal‑proxxmu.

L‑Aġġornament tal‑Kleru ġie organizzat bejn l‑20 u t‑22 ta’ Mejju 2024 fis‑Seminarju tal‑Arċisqof.

The prohibitive increase in housing costs and the conflicting emotions of joy and anxiety that came with living in Malta were the issues working migrants raised with Archbishop Charles Scicluna on 30^th April 2024, eve of the feast of St Joseph the Worker.

Several migrants from Sub-Saharan and West Africa, as well as South and Southeast Asia who gathered at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana, thanked the Archbishop for welcoming them as a father, while acknowledging the Church’s role as a defender of workers’ dignity.

During the meeting — organised by the Migrants Commission in collaboration with the Justice and Peace Commission — the migrants shared their joys and hopes, grief and anxieties of living and working in Malta and spoke about the life trajectories that brought them here.

Malta, they said, had become home for them; a place where they experienced a sense of belonging and engaged in meaningful friendships with the Maltese. The island is safe and offers them protection and various opportunities. On the flip side, they shared their concerns about abuse and exploitation at the workplace, struggles with securing work contracts, as well as experiences of xenophobia and bureaucratic delays.

Those present reported experiences of deep suffering when facing asylum procedures, or when attempting to obtain or renew the single work permit. One issue that deeply impacted all workers’ quality of life — of whatever nationality — was the exorbitant increase in housing costs witnessed over the last few years.

The migrants also raised the importance of offering stability and security to children born in Malta. Moreover, despite having lived and worked in Malta for several years, migrants still lacked proper and secure documentation and lived in constant fear of being deported. The need for transparent pathways to obtain long-term residence permits and citizenship was discussed.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna emphasised the importance of human dignity and stated it must be honoured in all spheres of life: “We need to listen to one another and we need to be able to give hope to each and every one of us.”

Those who attended the meeting left feeling grateful to the Archbishop for having listened to their concerns and for offering them a safe space to speak out.

HopeGen, a one-year project by the Justice and Peace Commission and the Malta Catholic Youth Network (MCYN), has been launched to empower young people with the tools and capacity to actively contribute to building a more just and fair society.

Through HopeGen, the Church in Malta is committed to nurturing a generation of young people with the hope that they will become active and responsible citizens. This commitment includes addressing various challenges, injustices, and uncertainties prevalent in today’s world. The training for around 15 participants will be provided through talks, workshops, speeches by experts, group discussions and the creation of awareness campaigns.

During the launch, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi praised the initiative of HopeGen and expressed gratitude to the Justice and Peace Commission and MCYN for this project. He emphasised that HopeGen is a significant contribution of the Church in Malta for individuals who aspire to engage in politics and Maltese society guided by human values that promote goodness. Bishop Galea-Curmi encouraged the participants to familiarise themselves with the Church’s Social Teaching, urging them to refer to the original sources and not solely rely on information from social media.

Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and former Minister Evarist Bartolo shared their thoughts on the current challenges facing our country. They emphasised the danger of succumbing to cynicism, which leads to staying away from public life, urging the importance of remaining engaged in politics.

Two HopeGen participants, Juanita Galea and Matthew Grech, highlighted the danger of letting fear stop us and change our thinking and perception of reality. They underscored the need for politicians to adhere to their principles while fostering open dialogue.

HopeGen is the result of ‘One Church, One Journey’ a four-year process undertaken by the Church in Malta. The primary objective of disseminating the values and principles embraced by the Church to a broader audience through innovative initiatives.

More details can be obtained at hopegen.church.mt.

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Parish priests in Malta recently convened for their annual live-in event, themed “an outgoing Church,” aligning with the ecclesial renewal process of the Church in Malta under the banner of “one Church, one journey.”

The focus of this gathering was to explore ways of being a vibrant presence in the community while sharing the Gospel’s joy.

Throughout the event, various speakers discussed their experiences addressing different societal challenges and emphasised the pivotal role parishes can play in positively impacting people’s lives.

Topics ranged from poverty, homelessness, and prostitution to issues like loneliness, money management, parenting, technology overuse, and overall living conditions. Participants shared insights on how their parishes actively engage, welcome, and support individuals on the fringes of society.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna expressed gratitude to parish priests across Malta for their continuous dedication to their communities. He acknowledged the ongoing thirst for the priestly presence in Maltese society and urged priests to extend their care beyond the Church’s immediate circles to those on the periphery.

A significant portion of the live-in centred on the pastoral work with young people. Speakers Benjamin Flores Martin from MCYN and Clive Bonnici from PRISMS addressed the challenges tied to language, culture, and mentality, encouraging parish priests not to be discouraged when accompanying young individuals.

Fr Jimmy Bonnici and Fr Frankie Cini MSSP guided priests in reflecting on their vocations and priestly missions within an ever-changing society. They underscored the importance of service, the Parish Priest’s presence among God’s people, and the role of acting as the “salt” that enhances the parish’s essence.

This year’s guest speakers included Rev. Prof. Mark Sultana, Albert Debono from the Diaconia Parishes Section, YMCA Chief Executive Anthony Camilleri, Tracy Vella from Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, Maria Borg Pellicano from Dar Hosea, and Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing Prof. Andrew Azzopardi.

Organised by the Council of the College of Parish Priests, the live-in took place from January 9 to 11, 2024, at the Archbishop’s Seminary in Tal-Virtù.

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Source: Newsbook.com.mt