AQUIRAZ, Brazil – Representatives of Shalom Catholic Community from 34 countries gathered at Diaconia (Shalom’s headquarters) for a training meeting organized by the Apostolic and Missionary Advisories in the Community.
Once a year, missionaries from different countries are able to come together to prayer, to listen to important updates and guidelines, and to receive formation on relevant topics to their missionary work. It is also a moment of sharing experiences and to give testimony. The event assembles those who are in charge of Shalom Community’s missions and apostolic work in many countries.
“To me, one of the most important talks of this training meeting was on the Way of Peace, a spiritual and formative itinerary within Shalom Community. We have a treasure hidden in jars of clay! When we start a prayer group, for example, as one of the first steps in this itinerary, we are offering to others an opportunity to experience the beauty of a community life, of not living just for oneself but to open up to others, to fellowship and fraternal love. A prayer group is not just about praying together but it is also an antidote to individualism”, said Emanuela Cardoso, missionary responsible for Shalom in London, United Kingdom.
During the meeting, there was a strong moment of intercession for all Shalom’s missions throughout the world before the Blessed Sacrament and a first degree relic of St Therese of Lisieux, one of the patron saints of missions and missionary life. The event happened from 24-28 August, 2016.