Sri Lanka Catholics to take concrete actions during the last month of the Jubilee
by Melani Manel Perera
About a thousand Holy Family members discussed love and mercy, setting up various groups, each suggesting initiatives like not marginalising classmates, organising Masses for the sick, and making decisions in the family together.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – About a thousand members of the Holy Family association have decided to carry out concrete acts of mercy during the last month of the Jubilee of Mercy in order to spread the love and mercy of Jesus in Sri Lanka.
The group met in Wennappuwa, diocese of Chilaw on the country’s west-central coast, to celebrate the Feast of the family. The theme of the gathering was ‘let us make alive the face of Mercy in our family'’. Many branches of the Holy Family - apostolic, contemplative nuns, lay people, priests and consecrated secular group – attended the event.
Superior General Sister Anna Maria said that Holy Family members "have a responsibility to apply each day God’s mercy in our lives. Mercy is closely connected to our association, so we must always put it into practice."
These present were divided into various groups, and each selecting distinct initiatives.
Children decided to love the environment, not ignore classmates in difficulty, use good words to each other, and utilise their skills to serve others.
Young people chose to provide textbooks, backpacks, material and uniforms to rural schools that have problems. They also decided to organise special Masses for the sick who cannot go to church, hand out meals to beggars, plant trees to follow the pope’s instructions on the environment, and, finally, donate the proceeds of the youth talent show to the National Cancer Hospital.
The group of priests plans to encourage the faithful to go to confession and establish a closer relationship with God. They also said that they will listen with greater sensitivity to people’s sufferings, push the faithful to seek salvation in God rather than seek revenge, and listen to the needs of others, respecting and accepting them.
In order to set a good example for their children, parents decided to promote love in the family, with mothers and fathers making decisions together, developing trust among family members and meditating constantly on the Word of God.