Latin American Newsletter

 

Christian Brothers monthly Newsletter
Latin American Region

 
 
Nº. 45 – Year 5 – June/July 2008

 
Dear Brothers and Friends in the Edmund Rice Network,
 four young Latin Americans are representing us at the World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia while the rest of us at home are preparing for the second part of our Regional Chapter in Asunción. We trust in your prayerful support.
John, Hugo and Eddie.
 

URUGUAY
 

Stella Maris College,
Montevideo:
 

June is holiday time for young and old and this year a group of 21 persons travelled during their holidays for an immersion experience in Cochabamba, Bolivia. They wanted to see how the brothers live, to get to know the work they do and in general to savour the spirit of Edmund in the region.   They  met a new culture, God, their companions and also themselves. We pray for the group that the 10 days will be rewarding for them.
 
Mercedes Pittamiglio, (photo) a past pupil,  travels to Australia at this time along with three others from the region, 2 Peruvian Brothers and a young Argentine from Newman College for World Youth Day in Sydney and also for World Edmund Youth Day which is organized by the congregation. They represent us among so many associated with the Brothers and the spirit of Edmund in so many countries.
 

72 pupils from 5th Class made their First Holy Communion on June 21st after many years of preparation. They were joined by a large number of family, friends and staff. 4th class pupils received a copy of the Bible in which they promised to be faithful to it, respect it and make it known. Br. Eamon O Donnell is presently enjoying some time here in our country.
 
Grandparents Day was celebrated on the 19th June which coincides with the the feast of José Gervasio Artigas, the national heroe.  Grannies of the younger pupils joined the young people as they played, sang, acted, watched a film and had a snack.  Pupils also took part in a European Community event in which they sang an old Irish song and a blessing.  (Gonzalo Irigoyen)

 

ARGENTINA

 

Cardinal Newman Community– Buenos Aires:
 
Tony Toomey  called on the 3rd June from Ireland as he organizes some immersion programmes; he moved on to Montevideo and Bolivia with John Casey returning on the 18th to spend some time with us prior to departing for Ireland once more.
Stan Hayes set off early on the 10th June to start a sabbatical. Having finished the paper work we waited in the departure lounge to be told the flight was cancelled. British Airways proceeded to make alternative arrangements for the passengers. Stan decided to wait for a few days and then had to queue up and pass through migration control once more to enter the country he had not left! He got away safely on the 13th. Eamon O'Donnell who has been with us since February has crossed over to Montevideo
Saturday 14th was just another Saturday with nothing strange to relate but in the early hours of Sunday morning Nicky O Briain knocked on Jim’s door looking for help and a doctor was called for. Nicky actually managed to present his health card. Twenty minutes later an ambulance and doctor arrived. Nicky had no chest pains but it is more than likely that he died of a heart attack.
Jim and Hubert let a few hours pass and then things started to move, Marcelo the college accountant took charge of the funeral arrangements; our chaplain Mariano arrived and said some prayers and a Mass. Paddy Keohane arrived. Jim undertook to phone Nicky`s brothers and family while Hubert notified the Brothers of the region by email.
Some friends arrived to offer their sympathy and some of them were quite hurt. Just after midday John Casey arrived from Bolivia. Maureen the college secretary put a notice ion the La Nation newspaper and in the three following days over 30 friends of Nicky had a notice in the paper. Alberto Olivero, the college Headmaster, attended to many details as did Tom O’Connell.  The wake was held from 5pm to 10pm. Two rosaries were said. Fr. Fernando Cavalier a former chaplain   prayed. It is impossible to know just how many friends came but some were really upset. Eamon O Donnell came from Montevideo along with Juan Pedro Toni, Director General of Stella Maris College.
On Monday 16th Mass was presided by Fathers Morea, Ibañez, Di Ció and Alvarez, all past pupils, Fr. Mariano and another Salesian in the main hall. Paddy Keohane organized the liturgy and the music. Some 600 people were present. Hubert said a few words after Mass as did Ferrer Reyes, a past pupil. Schubert`s Ave Marìa was sung by a past pupil as the coffin was taken out. The burial was in the Brothers `plot in Jardín de Paz.  Fr. Alvarez said the prayers and gave the final blessing and one of Nicky`s very good friends, Juan Del Azar, bid a final farewell.
It has not been possible to name everybody who helped but the community felt  supported and are very grateful for that. Likewise one cannot express the sincerity and deep sorrow of so many people, be they parents of pupils, pupils, past pupils, or members of staff who felt they had lost a true friend.
A fortnight later the Brothers were invited to Club Newman for lunch and afterwards a plaque was unveiled to honour Nicky, worded in Irish and in Spanish:- “A true Irishman who left his heart in Argentina”. The central rugby field has been named after him also. (Hubert)
 
 Cardinal Newman College – Buenos Aires:
 
Retreats
Retreats for the senior pupils are almost complete. Final year students had two events which provided them with an opportunity to work on their friendships and their relationship with God. The final part of the Cenacle experience was held on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July bringing to a close the work of Brother Paul and the team of past pupils who freely give their time and testimony.
 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The 27th June was marked in a special way; besides the picture which has a place of honour in each class room and office, a picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was put on display with an explication of each element composing the picture.
 
Choir Festival
A festival of choirs was held on the 20th June with choirs from 5 different colleges taking part. It provided a chance to enjoy good music and each group could show the result of the  work they had done. Another concert is planned for 27th July.
 
Teachers take time out
Over a 100 members of staff were helped by Gerardo Carchio, to appreciate and put into practise the Carta Magna on the morning of the 28th June.
Brother Paul explained the main theme of the congregation Chapter in Munnar, India, which was held in March. The purpose of the session was to harmonise methods and small projects in one common ideal. Everybody enjoyed lunch later. At this time Javier Rincón took his leave of his colleagues after 12 years of service. He takes on the role of Headmaster in St. Hilda’s. We thank him for his commitment and dedication to education, for his excellent traits as a teacher and as a person. He will certainly be missed among us.
 
Parents Meeting
Continuing in the task of spreading the message from the Congregation Chapter, Br. Paul worked with the parents on 12th June. A large number of parents attended and the comments were very favourable afterwards.
 
S.E.R. (Solidarity Edmund Rice) Teachers.
Teachers continue to meet and organize their own solidarity groups. Over 40 volunteers are involved and within a week they hope to share their gifts as an educational community attending to the needy as did Edmund long ago.
 
S.E.R. Youth.
Pupils from the final three years in college give of their time freely providing recreation, listening to, or simply being a presence to the marginalized. 35 persons with special needs spent an afternoon “reaping joy”- “Cosechando Alegría”. The smiles, the laughs and the expressions of joy and fun were reward enough. Barney the Dinosaur and Winnie the Pooh scored high. A festive and celebratory spirit dominated.
 
 Maths Olympics
25 pupils are representing the college competing in the OMA (Maths Olympics Argentina). The competition was held at a Zone level on the 3rd July. It remains to be seen who will move forward to the national level. However it is a healthy exercise and allows pupils to get to know their capabilities and those of pupils from other schools.
 
 
Course in Communication
A course in communication is under way. Pupils, players from the Senior Team and parents of pupils learn different techniques of communicating at different levels. It is intended to improve one’s expression. Attendance is good and the expectations are high.
 
Camping
5th class pupils went camping in Tandil in the Province of Buenos Aires. The camp to be held in Cordoba was suspended due to road blocks and protests. It is hoped to strengthen the bonds of friendship among the pupils, provide healthy recreation in a different environment and learn something about the locality visited.
 
Humanity Studies (GEHU).
6 teachers have undertaken a project to promote and cultivate an integral development among the group. A series of conferences is proposed during July and August covering a wide area of topics. On 24th June Dr. Joaquín Migliore spoke on “Values and civil Society”.
 
9th July
National Independence was celebrated by the pupils of both Primary and Secondary; each group with its own activity in an attempt to record an important event in the conscience of the nation. As always pupils, teacher’s staff and parents collaborated in what was a pleasant event.  (Nicolás del Sel)

  

BOLIVIA
 

Cochabamba – Centre:
 
Time is flying and almost without noticing it we are at the end of the first term. Each one of us students has done his best at the studies. The time spent with the young people in the street provides a huge challenge to know how to really help them and to recognize the Risen Christ among them.
The visit of a group from Stella Maris College, Montevideo was interesting because they had always known Irish Christian Brothers and now they had the opportunity to know Latin American Brothers, Peruvian. It was a learning experience for everybody, a time to reflect and share the joy of life. This has been the second group to come to Cochabamba, quite different from the first but very enriching for both communities here in Bolivia. Our very best wishes to all our in Uruguayan friends.
Once our Uruguayan friends left, we lost two members of our community, Saúl has gone to represent us at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia; and John Casey joined the delegates to the Chapter in the Canada. We hope they will inform everybody about the reality of our communities and even more so the reality of our Latin American peoples.
Elser and Bruno travelled to the city of Potosí to share their experience of religious life with other groups of young religious from the four corners of the country. This was a life giving event for the participants; the diverse opinions produced the effect of a more radical following of Christ in the charism of each community. We pray that this may be the seed of change and compromise for the religious life in Bolivia. Along with the talks, discussions, prayers and reflections there was time for a little tourism. The group visited the hot springs and while some took the waters others sang. Then the group divided into three, some visited the mines in the hill of Potosí, others the convent of St. Teresa and the third group the mint (Casa de la Moneda). Each centre visited was charged with history, hope and sorrow. (See photo)

This is what our community is living at this time. It is hoped that in the near future Christ can be met present in the national reality and especially among the poor and marginalized. (Bruno)

 
Cochabamba  -  Villa Pagador

 

Dermot celebrates his birthday.
 
 
 PARAGUAY
 

Novitiate - Asunción:
Greetings to all our readers. Hugo has come to give us a course on “Following Christ” which fits in with a month´s holiday from our normal study in the Institute for the Religious Life. We return there for class after the Chapter.
 

Isacio and Carlos went to Caaguazú to commemorate the death of two country folk who lost their lives during an invasion of their land.  Some teachers from Stella Maris College, Montevideo paid us a visit to check out the work places for their pupils who will have an immersion experience in Bañado Tacumbú later this year.
 
One of the big events has been the 49th Conference of Religious in Paraguay, The brothers who attended had the opportunity to meet old friends and reminisce. Renato and his young friends in catechetics embellish the Bañado with religious images. (See photo)
The community is getting ready for the chapter and looking forward to meeting all our dear brothers. So, till we meet. (Alberto Cumbreras)

  
 PERU
 

Las Flores – Lima:
 
According to the official census San Juan de Lurigancho has over 800,000 inhabitants and half of them live in poverty. (The city of Lima has 7,500,000). This reflects the reality of the country and beckons us as brothers to be closer to these people who seek justice, dignity and respect. It is a joy for us to live and work in this neighborhood. Our community has three members scattered around the globe; Hugo is in Paraguay; Richard is in Canada at the Chapter and Ever is in Australia for World Youth Day with the Brothers (and is valiantly struggling with the English!) We shall all meet in Asunción next week.
That leaves Noel and Alberto to continue with the studies and look after the house. Each night we join the neighbours for the Rosary in preparation for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, on July 16th, the patroness of our neighbourhood. It is a chance to evangelize and allow ourselves to be touched by the living faith of the people. Best wishes and till we meet at the chapter. (Alberto Llanos)

 

Moyobamba:
Both aspirants, José Antonio and Amaximandro joined the catechists from Moyobamba for a week-end retreat in Jepelacio, 20 kilometres south from here. They enjoyed the sharing, and the periods of prayer, relaxation and fun.
Moyobamba, with its clubs and local groups celebrated the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Brothers celebrated it in LLuyllucucha. Very much out of season, it rained on the 23 and 24th June for the feast of St. John, but it did not stop the people´s fervour in celebrating. We took part in the procession.
José Antonio and Amaximandro play football with the seminarians on Sundays.
A triduum was held here to honour Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Jack has not being feeling well recently and after some tests it appears he has stones. He took his medicine and litres and litres of water and things seemed to improve. Once the medicine was finished  the pain returned. Needless to say it is a worry and he may need surgery so please keep him in your prayers.
Young people continue to visit us. Recent visitors include Elías, José Luz, Lenindes, Jamer and relations of the aspirants. On the 4th July we had a visit from Aurelia and her daughter Mary who is a member of the congregation of Parish Missionaries of the Child of Prague, a Peruvian congregation. Mary is studying with Noel in CONFER.  (Patrick)

 
 
 

Birthdays and Celebrations:
Michael O´Loingsigh 11 - July
Hugo Cáceres 15 – July
Noel Coronel 23 - July (Postulant)
Renato Llerena 27 -  July (Novice)
Rafael Inga 31 – July  (Novice)
St Ignatius of Loyola 31 - July
 
Important Events:
Retreat and Region Chapter  –    25 July to 3 August (Asunción).
 
200 years  -  Edmund Rice and his first companions made First Vows – 15 August