Lisieux 2015 (France)

How can Christians in Europe today open themselves to their poorest, loneliest, most needy, and most suffering brothers and sisters?

From 5 to 9 July 2015 in LISIEUX (France)
Hermitage Sainte Thérèse

The parish is a group of “chosen ones” who look inward… or is it a place of mission, turned toward others, and more particularly toward the poorest, the most alone, the most needy, those who suffer the most, those on the “periphery.” How can the Church in Europe, through every Christian, “announce the good news to the poor” by welcoming, listening, and engaging in dialogue? How can we open ourselves to those who do not know Jesus or who have distanced themselves? How can we draw near, how can we recognize them as brothers and sisters who can contribute things to us, who can evangelize us? Through this option for the poor of whatever nature, “we are called to discover Christ in them, to listen to them, to understand them, and to welcome the mysterious wisdom that God wishesto communicate to us through them.” (Pope Francis) In a fraternal atmosphere, harmoniously blending the joy of encounter and the faith that animates us, in this colloquium, you come to:

• exchange opinions on life testimonies and actions, in small groups where everyone can express themselves
• Learn during the visit to the parishes how they try to live and transmit the gospel to today’s world
• Discover the spirituality of St. Teresa through an original Teresian journey, visiting the places she left her mark on.
• to gather and pray in Eucharistic celebrations and lively and joyful evenings;
• Enrich yourselves: in lectures on the place of the poor in the Bible, and on the social teaching of the Church
• celebrate together on a night of lively farewells filled with music and singing…

With the participation of: 

• Mgr JC. Boulanger, Bishop of Bayeux-LisieuxMme Catherine Vialle, 
• Theologian, Prof. at the Catholic University of LilleMr. Bernard Quintard, 
• Vicar General of Rodez, Prof. at the Catholic University of ToulouseProf. Thibor Popp, 
• Hungarian Theologian,
• Mr. Alphonse Borras, Vicar General of Liège
• And, through numerous testimonies, people serving the most needy

Animation by Saraï and the musicians of the group “Ondes de shock” and other surprise animations.

• Simultaneous translation guaranteed
• 5 days from €490 all inclusive
• Special conditions for young people, families, and people with disabilities…

The answers to these three questions can help us reflect. Please summarize them and send them to Maria Gibert before Easter 2015 for Bernard Quintard’s presentation on the first day of the colloquium. Note: this is not about feelings, but about commitments.

Lisieux Questions 2015

• What resonance do we find between our commitment and the gospel?
• How does service to our brothers and sisters commit us as active citizens in society?
• How do the poor invite the Church to be a servant of humanity? What conversion do we need to live personally and communally?

Lisieux 2015 Program

Sunday, July 5:

• Reception of participants.
• Mass.
• Welcome from the co-chairs.

Monday, July 6

• General introduction to the colloquium based on contributions from the delegations.
• Conference: “A Church for the world” by Mgr Boulanger, Bishop of Bayeux-Lisieux.
• Eucharistic Celebration by Mgr Boulanger.
• Biblical conference by Catherine Vialle (Catholic Institute of Lille).
• Group work: Presentations and work on the biblical contribution.
• Pastoral experiences: 3 sectors: migration, loneliness/isolation, and homelessness.

Tuesday, July 7:

• Pastoral experiences: 3 sectors: migration, loneliness/isolation, and homelessness.
• Round table with four speakers.
• Departure: Visit of Honfleur and visit to the parishes.

Wednesday, July 8:

• Lecture: “Serving Society” by Tibor Papp (Hungary), Instructions from the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.
• Group work: The social teaching of the Church and the social commitment of the Christian.
• Visit to Lisieux. Corrido Thérèse.
• Evening of prayer and singing in the cathedral with singer Saraï.

Thursday, July 9:

• Group work: Pastoral experiences and the round table.
• Conclusions of the young people.
• Conclusions of the Colloquium.
• Proposals for the future: 2017 Colloquium and evaluations.
• Farewell Mass..
• Feast of Nations – festive evening! – Deo gratias!

Friday, July 10:

• Optional day: Visit to Mont Sant Michel

Lisieux Youth Colloquium Program 2015

Sunday, July 5:

• Reception of participants.
• Mass.
• Welcome from the co-chairs.

Monday, July 6:

• Presentation meeting of each person and their country.
• Eucharistic celebration by Mgr Boulanger.
• Visit to Lisieux and Thérèse circuit.

Tuesday, July 7:

• Pastoral experiences: 3 sectors, migration, loneliness/isolation and homelessness.
• Round table of young people among themselves.
• Visit to Honfleur or Caen, then visit the parishes.

Wednesday, July 8:

• Visit to the D-Day Badia, visit to the Caen Peace Museum, and visit to the ND de la Luz parish and its youth music group.
• Evening of prayer at the cathedral with singer Saraï and participation by young people from the CEP.

Thursday, July 9:

• Group work on pastoral experiences and the round table.
• Conclusions of the young people.
• Farewell Mass.
• Feast of Nations – a festive evening! Deo gratias!

Friday, July 10:

• Optional day: visit to Mont Sant Michel.

Direction of the colloquium

Hermitage of Saint Therese
spiritual center

23 rue du Carmel
14100 Lisieux,
France

Phones
France:
02 31 48 55 10

International:
00 33 2 31 48 55 10

Longitude: 0.2287602
Latitude: 49.1427236