Latin American
News
Pasted Graphic
Christian Brothers Monthly Newsletter
Latin American Region
Nº. 43 – Year
5 – April /May 2008
Dear Brothers and Friends in the
Edmund Rice network,
The rising cost of food is a world reality which
affects everybody especially those who have no other
option but to tighten their belt. While we celebrate
the political and social changes which will take place
in Paraguay with the election of Fernando Lugo, we pray
that our sense of solidarity will increase with those
who go hungry, as a result of the economic policies
which do not consider the welfare of the impoverished
majority of our planet..
John, Hugo and
Eddie.
Moyobamba:
On Vocations Sunday Patrick was
surprised when he was invited to speak on the vocation
of the Brothers at Mass. He welcomed the opportunity to
speak spontaneously on the topic having many young
people present. The following Sunday the community went
to Pasa Mayo for the anniversary Mass during which
there were First communions, 3 weddings and Baptisms.
Patrick was godfather to Elías Castro Ingoín who later
invited us to lunch in his home in La
Uniòn.
Jack, José Antonio and Amaximandro made sure that
Patrick celebrated his birthday with a first class meal
and a cake, and this was repeated the following day in
the orphanage where he works
Jack teaches computer, English and Bible to the
aspirants. He continues his ministry in the local jail
visits the sick with Lolita and teaches English and
computer classes for children in Capilla de la
Resurrección. On May the 4th his Para liturgy in San
Ignacio was replaced during the local anniversary with
a Mass, Baptism Marriages and First Communions. That
evening the tricycle in which Jack was a passenger
collided with another vehicle and he was thrown to the
ground but suffered only a few scratches.
A novena preceded the feast of Blessed Edmund. José
Antonio and Amaximandro prepared the prayers and an
exposition depicting Edmund as “Brother of the
Poor” and “Friend of the condemned”.
(See photo) José Antonio gave the homily during the
public Mass on the 5th and we had 30 guests to supper that
night, including the Bishop, 7 sisters and 6 priests
and Elias Arnao – an unforgettable and happy
event. (Patrick).
Cardinal
Newman Community– Buenos Aires:
The Newman
community is a quiet haven amidst confrontations
between the government and the farmers.
We had Hector and his wife to visit with us; Hector has
worked for over 40 years in Stella Maris College and
has been diagnosed to have advanced cancer. The chance
to visit Buenos Aires for the first time was a real
treat for him. Please remember him in your prayers.
The smoke from a fire some 125 kms. away has covered
the city for some days till the rain finally put out
the flames. No sooner had that smoke cleared than the
smoke and ash from the Chilean volcano Chaitèn hit us
and closed the local airport. (Hubert).
Cardinal Newman College – Buenos Aires:
Carta Magna.
2008 is the year of the
Carta Magna. Br. John Casey presented it to the staff
in February and recently in April it was presented to
the parents. On 26th April the staff had a workshop on
improving our sense of community – it is a
challenge but we are advancing in hope and joy.
Mothers -
Volunteers. A
group of 30 mothers have stared to work in the parish
of Juampi Contempomi (Past pupil) giving tuition to the
children in the poor area of San
Isidro.
Visit to
Zambia. The
college gave us the opportunity to visit Zambia from
the 12th to the 28th March for an immersion experience
with the Christian Brothers in Lusaka conducted by
Brothers Mike Burke and Joe Mosley. We were joined by
nine colleagues from Brothers Schools in England and
Ireland. All our expectations were reached – we
were immersed in the lives of the Zambians; visited
their homes, schools, orphanages and homes and centres
where HIV patients receive medical attention and
support.
It
was a privilege to meet so many noble people who are
attended by religious both male and female in an effort
to make a difference in a country which appears to be
on the move. Their faith in God and the joy they share
will remain in our hearts for ever. (Carmen Branca and
Silvia Laurencena)
Mary Rice
Event: This year
10 institutes took part in the Mary Rice Event on the
18th April. Over 300 competitors were divided into
categories and took part in the shot, jumps, and races
while music filled the air. The last item was an
obstacle race and then finally an exhibition of pottery
made by the children with our teacher Vicky Bonadeo.
The event came to a close at 3pm. Once more Newman true
to Edmund’s values opened its doors and heart to
that in need.
3rd and 4th Years camp in San Pedro:
The pupils from
3rd
and 4th years had a wonderful time visiting
the battle site, the fruit plantations, recreational
activities, time to relax, games and a sing song while
all the time enjoying nature and god team work with the
result - happy teachers and happy pupils.
Senior –
Junior: The pupils
from sixth year took charge of the small ones taking
them on a picnic, some art and craft, some reading. The
little ones happy to have all the attention and the
bigger ones were so proud!”
Growth in
Community: On
Thursday 24th the pupils from 5th and 6th year had
Eucharist with Fr. Mariano and Fr. Luis in the
patio under the shade of the trees taking Acts 2, 42-47
as the text for community. Family Catechetics got under
way with a talk from Fr.Christian, parish priest in
Santa Rita for the parents of third year pupils who
will relieve their First Communion next
year.
Conferences 2008:
Christian Living; It is our wish to continue developing
the essential qualities for being human in the college.
A team has been formed of six teachers from both
primary and secondary to activate this initiative. A
series of talks is planned for this year the first on
2nd
April.
Mons. Fernando Bargalló,
Bishop of Merlo Moreno and president of Caritas
Argentina gave the first conference on
“Argentines and Solidarity”. Other speakers
will include Pedro Alurralde, OSB, Benedictine monk;
Dr. Juan Llach, ex-Minister of Education; Dr. Joaquín
Migliore, director of the Catholic University and
professor of Law in Universidad Austral. (Alberto
Olivero)
Novitiate
- Asunción:
The past
month has been filled with many good experiences, the
novena to Blessed Edmund, a visit from our Regional
Leader, the team work, the apostolic work and the joy
of taking part in an Inter congregational football
championship. John’s presence gave the young men
a chance to get to know him and due to his flight being
cancelled he was able to join us on May
5th.
Celebrating the Feast of Blessed. Edmund has been a fascinating experience for us. The people in the Bañado could identify Edmund with our work there and in the parish of Virgen del Rosario the Brothers Had an opportunity to monitor the readings on Edmund and the parishioners got an insight into the life of the brothers. We won our first match 4-1 in the inter-congregational football championship after a very formal opening ceremony. Alberto Cumbreras celebrated his birthday in the community with a few friends who study with him in CONFERPAR. Along with all these activities the work goes on, Luís Enrique (see photo) and Williams Cunyas continue with tuition in the Bañado;
Luìs Enrique gives tuition.
Kevin, Rafael and Alberto Cumbreras give classes to
former offenders; Chuck and Renato give tuition to
children and adults in the local school Sotelo Colman;
Adelfo and Isacio continue to visit the families of the
young inmates accompanied by Michael Ó Loingsigh..
(Adelfo)
Stella Maris College :
Formerly we
have celebrated Edmund Rice’s life in August but
this year we have adjusted to the international
calendar and the past week has been quite a
celebration; On May 5th we had a Mass for the whole
educational community. Br. Thomas O Connell was
present. On Tuesday we collected wool that will be used
to make clothes for poor children; on Wednesday the
pupils prepared bread which was served with chocolate
– an echo of the bakery in Mount Sion; the
coordinators met to work on the Carta Magna and on
Thursday night John Casey and Ferdinand Foley joined
the many groups who share in the work of Edmund; Friday
was a time for recreation and the teachers shared lunch
together. We hope that the celebrations and the Feast
of Pentecost will help us respond as a community to the
voice of Christ and the congregation these days.
(Gonzalo Irigoyen)
Cochabamba – Centre:
University studies take up much of the time here but
recently with a twist; we now have two mice in the
house as pets as Elser and Saul observe the conduct and
habits of their pets as part of the Psychology Course.
They have constructed a maze each and they reward the
poor animals with a piece of carrot if it follows the
correct route.
Bruno invited some university friends to join both
communities as he celebrated his birthday. He has a
chance to put his studies into practise with a Radio
programme on Radio Marìa.John Casey also had a birthday
(see photo)
John Casey and friends
Saúl accompanies two youth groups (Quillacollo and
Punata) providing him with a contact with young people
as part of the vocation promotion programme.
Elser will join a group of catechists who attend to
children (Tawis) who recycle garbage. The community is
also accompanying street children who sniff glue.
We have taken some breaks from the study - the
Leadership Team invited us to eat out during their last
meeting here in Cochabamba; we had a hike into the
hills reaching 3,300 metres (Cochabamba is at 2,750);
we also visited the International Show and the Festival
of Peruvian foods. (see photo)
Eddie, Bruno and Saúl.
We also celebrated Edmund’s feast joining with
the community in Villa Pagador. (Eddie)
Las Flores – Lima:
On April 22 we had our retreat directed by Richard and
in the evening we joined the community in Canto Grande
where Vincent Peragine had prepared lasagne for
supper.Two or three young people who live in the street
call for food and Ever is the most faithful in
attending to them.
The photo shows Ever while two of them enjoy a bowl of
food. Hugo travelled to Bolivia for the Team meeting
and also he spent a week in Puerto Alegre, Brasil,
where he is part of a team preparing a Latin American
Conference for Religious Brothers which will take place
in Lima, Peru next year. The founder’s feast day
was an opportunity to use the new barbeque equipment
given us by Vincent McNally and Brian Walsh (North
American Province). For the last week both Alberto and
Ever have had exams. (Ever)
Birthdays and Celebrations:
Isacio
Gonzalez 15 -- May
Nando
Llatas 29 – May
Dermot Cregan 10 – June
Blessed Edmund’s Birthday (1st - June 1762)
The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help starts
18th
June.
Approaching Events:
Region
Retreat and Chapter – 25th July to 3rd August (in
Asunción).