From February 10 to 14, the CANA International team met in Berlin. We spent 3 days working on the CANA year:
- A committee worked on the CANA year process (entry points, choice of couple, organization of the year, launch of the year, annual follow-up, end-of-year interview, etc.);
- Another one on the CANA commissioning (clarification of the missionary couple, questioning a mandatory step, possible options depending on CCN or non-CCN countries, conditions and prerequisites, procedures…)
- And the last one on training leaders and the changes to be integrated with this year’s new CANA.
The committee work was greatly appreciated as it gave everyone the opportunity to have their word. The contribution of each country and each culture was thus valued, and every voice, every minority, could be heard. Conversations in the Spirit and other collaborative working methods were important. We had 2 plenary sessions to allow others to respond to the progress of each committee’s work.
11 pilot countries have already transitioned to the CANA year since September 2025. We are ready to support the transition from the CANA Fraternity to the CANA year for all countries that wish to do so for the start of the next academic year.
We also had the opportunity to visit Martin Niemöller Haus, a peace center created by this Lutheran pastor, and to hear about his life of commitment: it was inspiring and enriching. During the Nazi persecution, meetings with Dietrich Bonhoeffer and other Protestant resistance fighters were held in the home and rectory of this Protestant pastor.
The next day, our prayer group was an opportunity to position ourselves to follow the Lord despite the shortcomings or poverty we had to face personally, as a community, or within the CANA mission.
We ended, of course, with a wonderful Asian-themed celebration, preceded by a time of reconciliation. The Asian theme allowed us to honor the new CANA country being founded this year: Vietnam.
This gathering was once again a time of grace for each of us…
To be continued !
