The parish assembly is an important activity in the calendar of events in our parishes. Everyone, not only members of the various parish groups, movements and the pastoral parish council, but also all parishioners who wish to actively participate, make suggestions and involve themselves in the life of their parish community — everyone is invited to participate in the parish assembly.

This year’s parish assembly, which was held at Balzan on October 24, was well attended and participation in the various workshops was very encouraging.

The parish pastoral plan, covering the years 2012-2014, came to a close. A glance at the report, included in the booklet distributed to those present indicates the amount of work done thanks to the active participation of many.

Another important moment during the parish assembly was the discussion on the parish pastoral plan for the next three years.

This plan is focused on Pope Francis’s vision for the parish, as stated in the encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, namely, pastoral work in favour of those who, for some reason or other, live on the periphery of society, the celebration of Sunday Mass and pastoral work in favour of the family.

In due course, there will be a move from the planning stage to actual implementation and evaluation of what was planned.

No one in a parish community, whether a parish priest, a priest or a member of the laity, can perform on his or her own.

The parish is a family beyond the walls of our home and when we take a genuine interest in the parish where we live, we can all, with God’s help, come together and experience a strong sense of belonging to our parish community of families and a stronger urge to be of service to others.

Participation and co-responsibility are two values that help parishioners to involve themselves and take a sincere interest in the life of their parish.