With a schedule of activities sometimes open and others restricted to the participants, representatives of the National Council of Laity of the nine Dioceses of the Brazilian State of Ceará (Fortaleza, Crato, Crateús, Iguatu, Itapipoca, Limoeiro do Norte, Quixadá, Sobral and Tianguá) have met in Guaraciaba do Norte during the weekend of May 5, 6 and 7.

The entire Parish of Our Lady of Joy contributed to receive, as hosts, the delegates from the entire State of Ceará, which constitutes the Northeast Region 1 of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference (CNBB).

On the first day, the assembly was attended by José de Anchieta Aguiar Vasconcelos, rector of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, who addressed the theme “Lay Christians committed to a synodal Church in the periphery.”

It also featured a conference by Francisco Edimilson Neves Ferreira, Bishop of Tianguá, on the theme “Burning hearts, feet on the way (Lk 24, 32-33)”, which was intended to illuminate the path of the laity based on the text of the disciples. of Emmaus.

On Saturday night the Assembly visited the monastery of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de las Agustinas Recoletas. In addition to getting to know the monastic community of contemplative life, the local community of Sussuanha took the opportunity to celebrate the First Eucharist of five children. Subsequently, the Augustinian Recollect Mario Alberto Corrales led a moment of prayer for the lives of the saints in the monastery's reliquary, which contains more than 150 relics.

On Sunday, the Eucharist was celebrated in the Igreja Matriz Our Lady of dos Gozos and then elections were held for the new management team of the Council of Laity, with a new presidency (Érica Maria de Araújo Carvalho), vice-presidency, Secretariat, assistants to the Secretariat , Treasury, regular Fiscal Council and alternate Fiscal Council.

After the inauguration of the new management team, a thanksgiving and delivery ceremony was held, and the Bishop of Tianguá thanked the work of the previous team and gave his blessing and words of support, advice and recommendations for the new 2023-2026 team. .

The National Council of the Laity is a body for articulation, organization and representation of the lay faithful committed to their parishes, communities, movements, pastoral work and volunteer work, without ceasing to be included in the normal work of society and their own families.

The lay men and women of Ceará have emerged from the Assembly renewed, with the mission of animating and articulating activities in their dioceses, aware of their role and the importance of assuming their commitment to evangelization.