Advent is a time of waiting, the waiting today for the arrival of our Savior Jesus Christ in the life of each one of us, in our ecclesial communities, in our parishes, and in our diocese. Waiting in vigilance and prayer, as we constantly reflect on the biblical readings of this liturgical season. It is a time of hope and conversion. The advent of Jesus is not possible without our active and personal response.
On this occasion, I would like to keep you informed of what is being done in the pastoral field of our diocese. As you already know, a Pastoral Office has been created in the diocese, in Jerusalem and in Amman, to promote and organize our pastoral activity, in continuity and consistent with what has been done in the past. It is an important initiative. This office is composed of parish priests, religious men and women, and especially of lay people and couples from all parts of the diocese. We hope that this body contributes to the vitality of our pastoral life at this time in the journey of our diocese. Indeed, there are many transformations in our society and communities that calls for new perspectives and new pastoral approaches.
The Council has set out to work. In collaboration with the community of priests, the theme chosen for our pastoral ministry this year and in the next, as necessary, is the FAMILY. As we well know, the family is the heart of our parishes, as the parish is the nucleus of our diocese. Working for the spiritual and ecclesial renewal of the family means working for the renewal of the entire diocese.
For this, I appeal to all, the faithful, parish priests and families, asking everybody to respond with generosity and commitment to the initiatives that will be taken in the development of the ministry for the pastoral care of the family. The collaboration and involvement of every one are essential to such work.
That said, I greet all the Christian families of our diocese. You are the hope of the Church. You are the domestic Church, where the first seeds of faith are sown, through the word and through your faith lived every day, despite the difficulties of life, following in the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth and Bethlehem, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
I wish you an Advent of hope, joy, and interior conversion, in anticipation of Christmas, which is an Epiphany of God in our midst.
+Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Apostolic Administrator
