Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Bishop John Hine (Chair of the Bishops' Committee for Marriage and Family Life) will be leading a contingent of families from England and Wales to Valencia for the World Meeting. The Cardinal, as a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family, will also host a session of the Theological and Pastoral Congress.

"'The transmission of faith in the family' fits in perfectly with our own Bishops' three year strategy for following up the concerns expressed during Listening 2004" commented Bishop John Hine. "The final phase of Celebrating Family in 2008 will be developing resources for parents and grandparents to support them in Passing on the Faith. The World Meeting of Families could not have come at a better time for us. I look forward very much to sharing this experience with, I hope, families from every diocese in England and Wales."

This year's theme is The Transmission of Faith in the Family. The programme includes: A theological-pastoral congress targeting families, youth and seniors in separate sessions (July 4th-7th) An international family fair, with exhibits, a forum for exchanging family experience, and recreational activities that encourage family leisure time. (July 1st-7th)

A festive meeting that will include family stories, musical and dramatic presentations from all over the world and a firework display (July 8th) Sunday Eucharist presided over by the Holy Father, during which couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary will renew their marriage vows.

"The deadline for registrations is April 30 so it's very important that if anyone is interested in going to Valencia they contact me or their local contact by March 31st," said Elizabeth Davies. "Not only do they need to register in order to participate in the Meeting but we can then pass on to them the information we have about travel and accommodation options in Valencia during the World Meeting. "At the moment we think it will cost around £400 per person for flights and accommodation over four nights. The registration fees we have to collect in addition are £27 for adults and £13 for children aged 7-14."

Elizabeth Davies, Marriage and Family Life Project Officer Tel: 01902 621594 email: Elizabeth.Davies@cbcew.org.uk.

From Bishop Patrick's Letter for Lent
"Imagine you have just met someone who attracts you very much. What would you do? Well, you would want to spend time with her, get to know what she thought about things, discover the things it felt good to do together, discover the things you do that really upset her and stop doing them. Discover your happiness in making her happy."
Click Bishop Patrick's Letter for Lent