Brazil – Page 18 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

A Prayer for Brazil

5 October, 2017 by Alberto de la Portilla

The cry of the excluded is a movement tha takes to the streets on September 7, Brazil’s Independence Day.

This cry is a demonstration of the people denouncing how the government does not represent the will of the people, but rather, on the contrary, the interests of the elite.

Since we could not take part in this symbolic demonstration and not wanting to be indifferent to the cause, in the parish of St. Lucy we held a prayer vigil on the night of September 6. It was a good time and full of symbolism where we united our hearts to Christ and remembered the sufferings of the persecuted and of all those whose rights are being denied. We prayed for a more just country and for a more dignified life. At this time of gathering with the community and with God I felt praise in my heart, thanking God for this people:

… who gathers in prayer;

… who does not give up in face of adversity;

… who, not only points fingers, but also faces corrupt government officials;

… who does not lose hope;

… who daily teaches me that stopping is to die, to suffer is to live, and that love is always possible.

Flávio and Liliana, CLM in Brazil

Actions of the Churches and Mining Network

15 September, 2017 by Alberto de la Portilla

This 5-minute video (in Spanish) presents what it has been done in this last year by the “Churches and Mining” network, in which there is a great involvement of the Comboni Family (among them our CLM).

News from the CLM Liliana and Flávio – The Harvest Festival in Piquiá, Brazil

11 September, 201711 September, 2017 by Alberto de la Portilla

Last Sunday, June 9, the Harvest Festival was held in the community of San José of the settlement of João do Vale part of the parish of Santa Luzía de Piquiá, Brazil. It was attended by more than a thousand people from the various parishes of the city of Acailândia and by Bishop Vilson Basso of Emperatriz.

The goal of this celebration, already in its 10^th edition, is to celebrate the gift of the harvest and to reflect on the earth as the venue of work and means of subsistence for the family, to remember the struggles and demand justice in the right to own land and in respecting creation.

This year’s theme was “Family agriculture in defense of life” and the motto was “Cultivation and the care of creation” as per Genesis 2:15.

The celebration opened with a welcome in the local sports center and with a breakfast prepared with the local products of the earth (manioc, pumpkin and a variety of fruit) coming from the sharing of the various communities in attendance. The Eucharist followed, during wich Bishop Vilson Basso spoke of the importance of family agriculture and of the duty to fight for ownership of the land and to denounce the oppressors. He stressed the importance of not giving up, because it is a just struggle, and also of the need for unity. He also remembered the 10 farmers who were murdered in a ranch in the State of Pará (https://www.cptnacional.org.br/index.php/publicacoes-2/destaque/3794-chacina-em-redenca-pa-deixa-pelo-menos -10-posseiros muertos) and all those who are persecuted or coerced to leave their land.

At the offertory, the various communities presented at the Lord’s altar some of their agricultural products as a sign of gratitude and of hope in a more respectful relationship between humankind and creation.

After lunch, there were many cultural shows in the form of theatre, dances and games, ending with the handing over to each community of a sapling of Ipê and with the announcement of the community that will hold the festival next year.
Liliana Ferreira and Flávio Schmidt, CLM in Brazil

Visit of the Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries at Piquiá, Brazil

8 September, 2017 by Alberto de la Portilla

On July 31 here in the mission of Piquiá, in Maranhão, we received the visit of the superior general of the Comboni Missionaries, Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse, accompanied by the provincial superior of Brazil, Fr. Dario Bossi. For the occasion we were joined by the community of Balsas, also located in Maranhão.

I feel that for the general it was an important moment to see first hand the reality of this mission, especially of the people of Piquiá de Baixo, who are asking for the resettlement of the neighborhood.

It was also an important moment of togetherness and sharing as a Comboni family! We had the opportunity to share our activities and perspectives.

The visit ended the evening of August 2 with a solemn Mass, well attended by the communities, not only from the parish of Santa Lucía, but also from St. John the Baptist, an old Comboni parish. The Mass was followed by a reception.

It was beautiful to see the affection of the people for the presence and the history of the Comboni Missionaries in this mission.

Let us pray always for vocations, both for the Comboni family and for the entire Church!

Flávio Schmidt, CLM Brazil

New Experience in Brazil

18 July, 2017 by Alberto de la Portilla

We arrived! On June 3 we set foot in Piquiá!

At the airport of Imperatriz we were received by CLM Xoán Carlos who took us by car to Açailândia.

After about a one hour journey we reached the house where we will stay, which had already been prepared for us with the help of the local community.

At 7:00 p.m. some community leaders, the Comboni Missionaries, Xoán Carlos and his wife Dida came over bringing something for a lovely supper we all shared together. We were given time to introduce ourselves individually, to chat and share in relaxed and vivacious atmosphere.

The next day we had lunch with the Comboni Missionaries and the team that gives social and legal support to the people of the community of Piquiá de Baixo, who are in the process of resettling.

So, a little at a time, we are getting closer to and getting to know the situation and the people, in order to integrate ourselves in this common journey in the establishing the Kingdom of God.

We count on the prayers of all of you!

Flávio and Liliana