Automatic translation from Italian, under review.
It is 4:00 p.m. We are almost ready to welcome everyone who will take part in the family afternoon. Some parish groups are already with us, busy with the last preparations. They feel the event is theirs: after all, having prepared it at length together through regular meetings, going over its details, has made them responsible and protagonists. Within a short time the courtyard fills up and we reach about 250 people. Many groups are present: the parish of S. Croce with the volunteers who care for the sick, the youth group, the Renewal in the Spirit, the catechists and the parish choir that will animate the Holy Mass; the parish of S. Giuseppe with UALSI together with some differently abled brothers and sisters and the catechists; the parish of the Annunziata with Catholic Action and the choir that will lead the songs during the gathering; the Parish of S. Nicola of Casal di Principe with the group of Majorettes and Catholic Action; the association ‘Omnia onlus’, the association ‘Nella rete’, some girls from a music academy of San Cipriano, the musical association ‘Controtempo’… Fr. Sebastiano, Fr. Antonio, Fr. Giovanni and Fr. Franco, Vicar General, join us, and of course our bishop, who will stay with us the whole time until the Holy Mass. The mayor of S. Cipriano also joins us. Some colleagues of Sr. Antonella are present.
Many from the parishes, many from San Cipriano and neighboring towns, others still from various towns of the diocese who know us or who regularly take part in our gatherings. Our next-door neighbors are not missing. It is truly a celebration!
We begin the afternoon with a warm welcome, a song, and two numbers by the majorettes, aged 8 to 21, of the parish of S. Nicola, who give the opening touch of festivity and joy. The various groups present themselves in the most varied ways: songs, choral pieces, dances (flash mob), mimes, all alternating with songs. It is also the occasion to present the “Mamma Lilla 2018 literary prize” to two high school students who had not yet received it. After this first part, a mime on the Annunciation by a young student of Sr. Antonella introduces the theme “Together with Mary,” presented by Sr. Giovanna, to tell everyone the beauty of letting Mary live in us and of sharing in her life.
This is followed by the address of the Bishop, Msgr. Angelo Spinillo, who takes up the words of the theme and thanks the Sisters for having given the opportunity to experience a Church in which each person does not remain closed in on himself, but places his own talents at the disposal of others.
The testimonies offered were deeply felt, beginning with the prior and vice prior of the Confraternity of the Annunziata, with their devotion to Mary; Raffaela, catechist of the Annunziata, with her gift to the Lord of a daughter who became a Sister; Adriana, with her experience of illness and of giving herself to her children in suffering; and finally Nevia, with her experience of adopting a thirteen-year-old son. We conclude with a song and give the floor to the mayor, who expresses his satisfaction with the event.
For the Holy Mass, because of the cold wind, we move to the chapel downstairs. Everyone busies themselves carrying the chairs. We are a bit “squeezed,” there are chairs even in the sacristy, but the atmosphere is very peaceful and the people remain very attentive in spite of everything. The choir of the Parish of S. Croce sings. Fr. Franco Picone, Vicar General, concludes the celebration by thanking the Sisters for having given everyone the opportunity to live this afternoon together. Among other things, he says that each of us is often tempted to withdraw into our own little garden, and that occasions like this help us to come out and to have a true experience of communion.
At the end of the Holy Mass we offer an ice cream: yet another occasion to keep enjoying being together.
From the Community of S. Cipriano