At the Salesian center of Darkhan, which animates the parish dedicated to Mary Help of Christians in the Mongolian city, last Sunday was a special day, lived in communion with the needy. The activities began with the Eucharist presided over by Fr Joseph Manh Dat Nguyen, and concelebrated by Salesian priests Fr Simon Lee, Fr Jaroslav Vracovsky, and Fr Anthony Werun, before some 120 faithful.
In the homily, the celebrant encouraged everyone to pray for all the world's poor, to listen to the voice of the poor, and to share one's love with them - in deeds, as in words. He then showed a brief video about the situation of so many poor, alone and abandoned people across the globe. He reminded those present that every day, globally, 25,000 people die due to poverty and hunger; thus his appeal that everyone help the poor, share time and resources with them, show them kindness and attention.
To transform noble intentions into concrete gestures, the Salesian community gave the example by inviting 70 people to lunch - the poor, marginalized and excluded from local society. Before lunch, furthermore, as testimony of the church's universal attention to all, the Salesians invited everyone to the church itself and showed them the video wherein the Pope announces the initiative of the World Day of the Poor and its reasons.
"First and foremost, the Church belongs to the poor and the poor are always welcome in the Church," the Salesian parish priest said.
After the festive lunch, which besides food, allowed the poor to share a moment of celebration and conviviality, there was time for another concrete gesture: the guests received a small gift of charcoal, of definite use against the stiff Mongolian winter.
Source: AustraLasia
