WELCOME TO THE VICARIATE APOSTOLIC OF KUWAIT
1st Unity Congress in Kuwait
10 OCT 2008: RELEASE OF POST U.C. PASTORAL LETTER
4, 5, 6 Sept 2008, Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City
4th Septmeber 2008 Please Continue ....
Eternal Father, we praise You for sending Your Son
to be one of us and to save us.
Look upon Your people with mercy,
for we are divided in so many ways,
and give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love.
We ask this gift, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
7th August 2008 I would like to write to you again since the date of the Unity Congress (4 afternoon, 5 whole day, 6 morning - September 2008) is soon approaching.
I quote what I wrote to you on 28th April, 2008 (please see below) about the purpose of the Unity Congress: It is an assembly of representatives of the Laity of the Vicariate that will come together with the Bishop and Clergy, for a period of time (three days), during which we shall reflect on the reality of our Catholic Church in Kuwait. We shall give-receive some teachings which could help us to understand our reality as "People of God" in a deeper way. Hopefully, we shall reach some conclusions for our mission in Kuwait.
Once again, I thank the Committee for their time and patience to prepare for our Congress in all its details.
I also thank all those who have already registered themselves to participate in the Congress.
The program of the Congress has already been prepared and it includes: Liturgical celebrations, prayers, talks, discussions in groups, cultural activities and breakfast-lunch-dinner.
I ask all of you to pray for the success of the Congress. What we are looking for is not an external and human success but the renewal of our spirit so that we may form a better Catholic community in Kuwait.
God bless you and your families.
Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj
28th April 2008 Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Peace be with you! I am very happy to announce that on Sept. 4th (afternoon), 5th (all day) and 6th (morning), we shall celebrate our first Unity Congress in Kuwait.
What is a Unity Congress? It is an assembly of represen- tatives of the Laity of the Vicariate that will come together with the Bishop and Clergy, for a period of time (three days), during which we shall reflect on the reality of our Catholic Church in Kuwait. We shall give-receive some teachings which could help us to understand our reality as "People of God" in a deeper way. Hopefully, we shall reach some conclusions for our mission in Kuwait.
This short experience will be the first step which should lead us to a longer and more exhaustive research, normally called “Synod”. Therefore, the importance of this first step is like a test for us, to examine ourselves and see if we are ready to look within and discern: Is there a spirit of genuine belonging to the Catholic Church or a mere link to our individual nationality, culture, language and rite?
The theme is taken from the Gospel of St. John (17,22): That, they may be one. This verse shows us that, now, we are not one. Special particularities are still dominating the different communities of our Church. But this Word of Jesus also shows our hope that we will be one. Our hope is not in us, nor in our initiatives but only in Him. He is able to unite us. The Church is not ours, it is His! Unity doesn’t mean uniformity - one language and one rite for all. Unity must start first of all from our hearts. If it doesn’t we shall never realize any unity.
The preparation for the Congress has been made by a committee of 15 members from the different nationalities and rites of the Vicariate. I thank them for their generous collaboration for the good of our Church.
I ask you all to keep the Congress in your prayers from now onwards. In fact, it will be successful if we put prayer at its foundation: Unless the Lord built the house, they labor in vain who build it. (Ps 127,1)
Besides your prayers, I am asking also for your concrete participation through your advice and suggestions. Those interested in being part of this event may get their names registered in their Parish offices as soon as possible.
God bless you and your families.
Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj
4, 5, 6 Sept 2008, Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City
Post Unity Congress: Pastoral Letter of
His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCJ
The purpose of H.L. Bishop Camillo's Pastoral Letter is "to highlight the main points which drew attention during the Unity Congress (4-6 Sept 2008) and to give them the necessary follow-up." The letter comes to us on the feast of St. Daniel Comboni (Bishop and Founder of the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries). Incidentally, the new mission field in Abbasiya has been entrusted to the protection and intercession of this great Saint .... "Saint Daniel Comboni, pray for us!"
Pastoral Letter: POST UNITY CONGRESS REFLECTIONS
H.L. Bishop Camillo Ballin's Welcome Address
Dear Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and my dear People,
As the Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait and as your Bishop, it is my duty and privilege to welcome you all to this august assembly for the Unity Congress which we begin today. You represent a pluralistic and migrant community and have come over here with much sacrifices. I appreciate your positive response to my invitation for the Congress. It shows your openness to the Holy Spirit and your readiness to listen to each other in communion with your Bishop. You have spared much of your precious time for being present at this fellowship.
A real unity and sense of community among the believers in the Church is possible only when there is real communion and communication. Hence, a fruitful dialogue and interaction are necessary for the success of this Congress. Moreover, this is an assembly of believers united in prayer. Therefore a lot of blessing will be showered from above and thus it becomes another experience of the Pentecost. My beloved Clergy, Religious and my dear People, on behalf of the Vicariate may I extend a hearty welcome to all of you. I thank God who has called you to attend this three day session of the Congress.
....
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait
Notification from the Bishop's Office to the Faithful of Kuwait
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