VISIT TO THE ROMAN PARISH OF ST. ALPHONSUS MARIE LIGUORI

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II visited the Roman parish of St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori, where he celebrated Mass. The Pope's last visit to a Roman parish was December 12, 1999, a few days prior to the inauguration of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.

In his homily, the Holy Father referred to the words of today's Gospel, "Duc in altum" (Put out into the deep), with which he began and concluded his recent Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte."

"Looking, therefore, at the great good already accomplished among you, I say to you: 'put out into the deep'! Become, individually and as a community, missionaries of the love of the Lord. Take care of every man and woman who lives and works in this district, following the example of your heavenly patron, St. Alphonsus, who constantly felt the concern of evangelization."

John Paul II went on to affirm that "thanks to the new parish complex opened last October 1, your parish now provides a fitting place to welcome and form the residents of the area, with a special attention to children and young people."

"What does 'put out into the deep,' mean for our diocesan community?" the Holy Father asked. "Does it not perhaps mean setting out anew from Christ to bring the announcement of salvation to everyone? To this end, I know that the entire diocese is preparing with vigor for the conference taking place in the upcoming month of June. I consider it an important meeting which will be useful for delineating, based upon the experience of the city mission, the guidelines for a 'mobilization' steadfast in the service of the Gospel."

HML;...;...;ST. ALPHONSUS;VIS;20010205;Word: 290;