Members, volunteers and workers of the Catholic Action were invited to attend the General Assembly on 16 November.
This year over 150 people participated in this activity, held at the Oratory in Mġarr.
The activity began with a mass, concelebrated by Mons Frans Abdilla, Fr Reuben Gauci, Fr Martin Micallef, Fr Sean Abela and Fr Paul Chetcuti. After the mass a discussion was held between Dr Nadia Delicata and Fr Reuben Gauci, led by Andreas Muscat, a member of the ŻAK Mġarr.
The discussion dealt with the theme for the upcoming year “The seventy-two men came back in great joy” and how the members can be pilgrims of hope in their everyday lives. During the discussions, the importance of their role and attitudes as members and volunteers towards everyone they meet was emphasised because as stated in Evangelii Gaudium, the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of those who encounter Jesus.
Dr Delicata and Fr Reuben mentioned how they feel joy because they know that they can turn to the Lord and He will welcome them with love.
Emphasis was given to the fact that we do not have to think of extraordinary things. Both Dr Delicata and Fr Reuben stressed how hope, and therefore also joy, come from our relationship and personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
Members were given the opportunity to reflect on what the presence of God in their lives means in their daily lives, as well as how they can be signs of hope with small actions they carry out in their normal routines.
Several participants recounted their experiences of being beacons of hope in their various environments. Among them were leaders of ŻAK who visit and support other leaders and ŻAK centres, and a young couple from the AK who are preparing for marriage, a mother and son.
The General Assembly concluded with a speech by the President of the Maltese Catholic Action, Marija Cachia.