More than a hundred people have participated in the course update Pastoral Course held on September 14 and 15 at the University of Navarra. School of Theology University of Navarra. The central topic of the same was "The pastoral conversion of the parish. Challenges, experiences and proposals" and was inaugurated by the Bishop of Ourense, Bishop Leonardo Lemos.

In his exhibition, Monsignor Leonardo Lemos offered the "Keys for a hopeful and effective evangelization". He emphasized that "charity is the task of the Church" and recalled that parish priests must "go out to meet the needs of people". He also encouraged the participants to take up the motto of Pope Francis: "Where there is God, there is a future. Let us make people discover that God exists.

The course aimed to offer the participants useful ideas and suggestions for the current challenges of evangelization in parishes. To achieve this goal three round tables were organized focusing on three fundamental pillars: social action, youth and families.

There were also two conferences and several colloquiums on pastoral topics with the participation of experienced pastors from different dioceses such as Madrid, Zaragoza, Cuenca, Barcelona and Pamplona.     

Three pillars: social action, young people and families

The roundtable "To reach everyone", focused on social action, brought together Mr. José Manuel Horcajo, from the parish of San Ramón Nonato, Puente de Vallecas, Madrid; Sofía Collantes, coordinator of Tantaka-University of Navarra; and Mr. Fermín Labarga, from the School of Theology of the University of Navarra.

"The Great challenge: the youth", the second roundtable of the course, brought together Mr. Javier Pérez Másepiscopal vicar of Zaragoza; to D. Miguel GarisoainPastoral Vocational delegate of Pamplona; to D. Fulgencio Espathe parish priest of St. Mary of Nazareth in Madrid; and to Mr. José Félix Briciodirector Spiritual seminar Diocesan of Cuenca.

The last roundtable, focused on "The Family" offered the keys to success in marriage and family life, and stressed that the parish is a field hospital for the family. Joan Costa, pastor of Mare de Déu de Betlem, Barcelona; and Jesús Higueras, pastor of St. Maria de Caná, Pozuelo de Alarcón.

In addition to these round tables and the colloquiums on them, two conferences were given: one on "Missionary Conversion: from self-preservation to co-responsibility", given by Diego Zalbidea, from the University of Navarra; and the other on "What can we learn from Pope Francis in communicating the faith", which was given by Juan Manuel Mora, from the University of Navarra. School from Canon Law The other, on "What can we learn from Pope Francis in the communication of the faith", was given by Juan Manuel Mora, position , Vice President of Communication at the University of Navarra.