THE PARISH, A PLACE TO LISTEN TO AND ANNOUNCE THE WORD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 2002 (VIS) - In the Paul VI Hall at midday today, John Paul II received 3,000 pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Oria, who by today's gathering are preparing for the pastoral visit of their bishop, Marcello Semeraro.

"It is my heartfelt wish," said the Pope, "that (the pastoral visit) may give rise to an energetic missionary impulse, especially in parishes. ... May parish communities be privileged places for listening to and announcing the Word; houses of prayer centered on the Eucharist; true schools of communion where the fervor of charity overcomes the temptation to superficial and folkloric religious sentiment. May they be environments suitable for educating the faithful to that high degree of ordinary Christian life which is sanctity."

The Pope requested the faithful to give special attention to the family, "reacting firmly to those strong cultural pressures that seek to offend and relativize marriage. It is easier for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life to flower in Christian families."

"I pray to the Lord," he concluded, "that your bishop's pastoral visit may be a moment of singular grace, helping all believers to grow in fraternal communion, listening to God's Word."

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