On Saturday, May 10, the day before Pentecost, the Third Movements and Organizations of the Zagreb Archdiocese Day was held at the Interdiocesan Seminary on Šalata in Zagreb. As in previous years, this event was organized by the Office of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Lay Organizations, Movements and Communities, with the motto: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12, 4). This year, there was particular emphasis on the topic “Movements and Associations in the Life of the Parish.” Roughly three hundred members of approximately 60 movements, associations and organizations active in the Zagreb Archdiocese were assembled.

In introductory remarks, the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, emphasized the importance of such a gathering on the eve of the Feast of Pentecost, and expressed gratification that the spirit of prayer is being promoted within our communities, associations and movements, which makes it possible for us to recognize what the Holy Spirit wants. The cardinal also spoke about two plenary sessions of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, at which how to renew the parish community was emphasized, because the parish has a common house and this is the church, the house among our houses. Actually every movement, association and community is affirmed in relation to the parish community in which it operates. If a community is active in the territory of a parish and has no connection with the concrete life of the parish, something is not in order from one side and the other or, perhaps, only from one side. The parish community encompasses everyone on its terrain. It is open to all. It is the place where all who are baptized are invited for the common celebration of the Eucharist. Whoever excludes himself from that community excludes himself from the community of the specific church where he lives, cautioned Cardinal Bozanić.
Cardinal Bozanić also participated in a roundtable discussion on the topic of the encounter itself. He noted that in our Church there are many good and varied initiatives and, therefore, he would like all of them to be open. He urged everyone to begin with himself or herself, from his/her organizations, movements and communities, to seek the good in others. “Let us try to be those who will know how to recognize it and speak of it. We in our public life are present with bad news, critiques. Let us try to be an alternative. You, members of movements, organizations and communities, who are a great blessing for the Church of our time, the city of Zagreb, let us try all together to be an alternative for our society. Let us try to be witnesses and to speak about how beautiful it is to be Christian, how beautiful it is to live as Christians,” concluded Cardinal Bozanić.
During the encounter, representatives of individual organizations, communities and movements presented their experiences regarding activities in the parishes.
Movements and Organizations of the Zagreb Archdiocese Day ended with a Mass celebrated in the seminary church by Auxiliary Bishop Vlado Košić of Zagreb, with a special intention for the repose of the soul Chiara Lubich.