While the controversial COP28, the international climate conference, is underway in Dubai, the pastor of the Sacred Heart parish in Pakistan planted some trees with his faithful and prayed with them for peace to mark the beginning of Advent; for him, “it is necessary for each of us to be an informed and active citizen in our community.”
Sahiwal (AsiaNews) – Last Sunday the Advent season began and in Pakistan too, churches organised various events to give meaning and food for thought to the faithful for the coming Christmas.
While the international climate conference (COP28) is underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, controversial because it is held in one of the world's largest crude oil exporters, the Sacred Heart parish in Sahiwal district decided to put into practice the teachings and guidelines laid out in Laudate Deum, Pope Francis’s latest "environmental" apostolic exhortation, by planting some trees for Advent stressing environmental sustainability without forgetting the theme of peace.
In fact, parishioners also prayed for the resolution of conflicts in the world, in particular for an end to the war in Gaza.
On Tuesday, addressing the participants during the first event, the parish priest, Fr Nadeem Joseph, said: "First of all, it is good to start the Advent season all together, but it is necessary for each of us to be an informed and active citizen in our community.
"When I say that it is important to be informed, I mean that we, the faithful, must be up to date so that with our faith and good deeds we become children of light where darkness reigns.”
For the clergyman, “Being active in the community also means that we stay alert to what is happening and always lead our lives according to God's Holy Word.”
Therefore, “Let us commit ourselves to remain present in the faith with prayers and continue to follow the example of Jesus Christ, becoming in turn a reference for others with our good deeds.”
"We look forward to this holy month all year round because it is a time of joy and happiness in our lives,” said Munawar Masih, 72, a vegetable vendor from Warispur parish, in Faisalabad, speaking to AsiaNews.
“In this month, I always lower the prices of vegetables for the poorest families, so I can enjoy the happiness on their faces, contribute to a nutritious meal for those in need, and spread the message of Jesus through my actions.
"I am a humble and illiterate person," he went on to say, "but I know that our Lord is happy when we support the poor, orphans, widows and the environment. Helping others and the planet is the best way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.”