An atmosphere of fraternity, a space for coexistence, and a strong commitment from everyone to participate and share opinions and proposals: this was the Assembly held by the Parish of the Augustinian Recollects in the Avante neighborhood of Mexico City.
The attendees had time to share their experiences of pastoral work, listen to different opinions regarding solutions to the daily problems of the parish community, and moments of prayer to place in God’s hands the concerns, needs, and purposes of everyone, those present and those absent.
One of the highlights and conclusions was the confirmation for everyone of the importance of accompanying, valuing and lovingly caring for older people, strengthening families and providing support to those who need it most.
This is a commitment that the parish community must assume if it wishes to fulfill the objective of building a Church that is closer, more supportive, inclusive and committed both to its own members and to the social environment, giving a meaningful testimony to all, believers or not.
The theme coincided exactly with that proposed by the Archdiocese of Mexico, which indicated as the focus for parish communities: “The parish community meeting the elderly, families and vulnerable people.”
Thus, the parishes were invited to carry out a diagnosis of their local reality, discern priorities and prepare the pastoral program for the year 2027. The Avante community has been developing initiatives for some time precisely in the areas that appear as the theme of the assembly: older adults, families and people in situations of social vulnerability.
Thus, in addition to providing regular assistance to approximately 150 families per month with basic food supplies, the Parish organizes periodic campaigns to raise the necessary funds for this distribution of aid. It also collaborates with the Center for Accompaniment, Recovery, and Integral Development (CARDI), the Augustinian Recollects’ socio-health project in Mexico City, which works directly with families and individuals in vulnerable situations due to health reasons.
