With just six months to go before the next WYD in Panama more than 80 countries from 5 continents sent delegates from their dioceses and ecclesial movements to attend the Second Preparatory Meeting for World Youth Day Panama 2019 with the Local Organizing Committee to know more how Panama has been preparing the organization, accommodation, registration, communication, logistics, security, and also getting to know the host country to better guide pilgrims of their respective countries into the WYD.
From Vatican, members of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life such as Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, the Secretary of the Dicastery and Fr. João Chagas, Shalom Life missionary, who is head of the Youth Office attended the event as responsible for the organization of the World Youth Days in the world. Moreover, Msg José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, the Archbishop of Panama welcomed every participants and also the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela was present as a sign of collaboration between Church and government to provide the best ways to welcome all pilgrims.
During the meeting it was clear how Panamanian people young people, ecclesial and civil authorities are working together to offer the young people of the world an unforgettable experience with God in this first journey in Central America.
Members of Shalom Catholic Community has been in Panama working in the preparation for the WYD as volunteers in the Local Organizing Committee for more than one year such as Barbara Freitas, responsible for the translation department. However for this meeting the Community sent a special delegation such as fr. Cristiano Pinheiro, Shalom International Assistant, Vítor Aragão, Shalom Youth Advisor, Gabriela Viana, Head of Shalom Communication Advisory and other members from Brazil and Italy, in order to generously contribute to offering to Shalomnajmj pilgrims a remarkable experience with the person of Jesus Christ, with his Word and with the Church.
