Shalom participates in ACN’s Conference

The Shalom Catholic Community has recently participated in a conference hosted by the pontifical foundation Aid the Church in Need (ACN). The event was held from March 12-15^th in Wurzburg, Germany, and it occurs every four years. This event has a target public audience of many German benefactors of the ACN institution. The theme of this year was: “You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to earth’s remotest end.” (Act 1:8).

Fifteen young participants from Shalom’s prayer groups in Europe, along with missionary members of the Community presented the play “Parables of Mercy” which was transmitted live on German national television. The Community introduced its mission to those who were participating in the conference and also had a workshop for the youth with gathering and testimonials segments.

The play was based on the parables of the gospel of Luke, such as the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son. Afterwards, Cristiano Pinheiro, Shalom’s international assistant, had the opportunity to speak on stage about the life and worldwide mission of the Community. He stated that “In this huge kairos of Mercy lived by the Church during the pontificate of Pope Francis, the Community, through this play, wanted to show that it desires to be a happy instrument of God’s merciful love in this world and through its life and mission”.

It is the second time that the Community participates in this event. The first time was in March 2011 when the Shalom had the opportunity to present the show “Christus” and also sang the German version of the song “Oferta”, which means “Offer”, as an offering given to God.

Communion

The ACN, “Kirche in Not” in German, has the task of supporting the pastoral projects in countries where the Catholic Church is in need due to religious persecution, wars, revolution or misery.

Cristiano said, “We went there to meet this institution that helps people in difficult situations currently suffered by the Church around the world, such as: persecution, poverty, and war. We intended, as Shalom Catholic Community, to give our contribution and testimony, because the Lord has called us to make the announcement of His Peace and Mercy, through the experience of the Risen Christ”.

The partnership between the ACN and Shalom began when the Community received a visit from the General Secretary and the President of ACN institution, during its pontifical recognition. The Community’s missionary work and its expansion caused them a great admiration. There was a huge need for infrastructure to match the job, and so the ACN proposed to assist in the construction of the Diaconia building, Shalom General Government’s head office. Thereafter, other collaborations were signed in order to support the missionaries in other places where mobility and transportation facilities are precarious.