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Latest news from Latin-American Vida Ascendente

Susana, elected in Saint Domingue as coordinator for Latin America, informs us of the activities of the member countries

In Uruguay, a new national office was elected headed by President Raquel Pérez. Groups from Vida Ascendente attended several celebrations including the Corpus Christi presided over by Cardinal Daniel Sturla and the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel followed by a procession, celebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Montevideo, Bishop Pablo Jordon.

At the beginning of August, a retreat was organized at the convent "Esclavas del Sagrado Corazon"(Servants of the Sacred Heart)  in Pocitos / Montevideo.

Despite the harsh climate in the country, Raquel tells us that the teams are still so active, although with less participation.

In Guatemala, President Berenice Bahamon gives us the contact information of their counselor, a priest dedicated to the movement who says he is ready to share and exchange.

A beautiful outing was organized on the day of Saints Anne and Joachim during which 23 members made an excursion to Tecpan to visit a beautiful chapel, a large park and a museum.

In Colombia, Vida Ascendente members continue to participate in the Mariana radio station's environmental program. The theme of the broadcast was the carbon tax, a problem to be taken into account in the general context of the global environmental crisis.

In Peru, President Orlando Caceres recalls the decision taken in Santo Domingo to celebrate the "International Day of Ascending Life" on October 1st, an initiative to be passed on to the Holy Father through Dr. Vittorio Mr. Scelzo. Orlando wants this day to be celebrated with joy and love.

The President, the Vice-President and Goyita San Martin, Emeritus President, presented last August on Radio Maria the various aspects of the movement: who is it, its evolution, its distribution of groups at the local, national, regional and world level. What are the pillars on which the movement and its operation depends?

The aim was to invite listeners to come and discover the groups and the headquarters of the movement

The next broadcast will take place on September 30; it will be an opportunity to talk about the International Day of Life Ascending. On this day, a mass will be celebrated and followed by a joint lunch.

At the end of August,  a new ecclesiastical adviser, Monsignor Guillermo Elias, was appointed.

In Argentina, the groups from Buenos Aires and the Diocese of Zarate-Campana met.

The parish of Santa Florentina celebrated its 125th anniversary. Grandparents and grandchildren participated in religious celebrations.

Grandparents' Day was celebrated in all communities in Argentina in memory of St. Joachim and St. Anne.

1st  International Congress of the Elderly "The Wealth of the Years"

Susana informs of Dr. Scelzo's invitation to the congress to be held in Rome from 29 to 31 January 2020 on the Pastoral of the Elderly, with the title "The Wealth of the years".

Dr. Scelzo was present at the LAI meeting in Santo Domingo in November 2018 where he expressed his satisfaction at discovering such an active community of elderly people; this meeting made him want to go further... It can be considered that this was in a way the starting point of this congress.

Father Osvaldo Montferrand was invited to collaborate in the organization of this event.

Susana also stresses the importance of everyone's contribution either through financial participation in the attendance of Members of Vida Ascendente at this congress or by providing testimony on the following issues:

  • How do our elders live?
  • do they receive state aid for health, retirement?
  • do they benefit from any other help?

These testimonials that will have to come from all the teams will be presented during the congress.

Susana concludes her presentation with a prayer that we may unite to ask the Lord to send us the strength of His Spirit to bring this new project to fruition.

Never forget, as the psalmist says: "In old age, they will continue to bear fruit."

In addition to the above, LAI President Monique Bodhuin also called for the groups to promote initiatives on the following themes that form the focus of the conference:

  • How can the expectations of marginalized older people be met?
  • The role of the elderly in the Church
  • Intergenerational dimension
  • The role of grandparents in religious education
  • Meetings with other communities or associations serving the elderly

Page prepared by Monika Ptak