Comboni Lay Missionaries

Annual Assembly of the CLM Brazil

LMC BrasilThe CLM in Brazil went back to the origins of their vocation, update the directory and assess progress made throughout 2014.

“In short, who is the missionary? Short, short, it is the one who transmit the love of God for others in order to become disciples”. On the first day of the annual meeting, which began on December 5, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) in Brazil were able to return to the origins of their vocation by reflecting with the Provincial Fr. Alcides. Which emphasized the importance of the church to encounter people and ask what the Spirit speaks to such a complex reality today. The provincial of the Comboni Missionaries in Brazil – which cited several times the II Vatican Council and the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis “The joy of the Gospel” – wanted to remember that “every place is a land of mission and who saves is Christ, not the church”.

The meeting included several Brazilian CLM – João, Lourdes, Guilherma, Valdeci, Adélia – three Italians – Emma, Valentina and Marco – and a Paraguayan, Alejo. In the afternoon came also Father Adriano, who was appointed as the MCCJ representative for the laity.

Another important theme of the meeting was to review the Directory of the CLM in Brazil, which is a document that was written almost 20 years ago and was in need of an update. Among other things, the board now anticipates the arrival of CLM from other countries and defines the modalities of cooperation with the other provinces in these cases.

The meeting, as always, was also an opportunity to learn more about the performance of the various CLM both in Brazil and in other countries: Mozambique, Peru, Rondônia, in Nova Comtagem (MG), in Itauna and other cities (APAC). Also announced the availability of the Mozambican CLM to receive Guilherma, Brazilian CLM, already next year. Among songs and dynamics in the afternoon was also made a report on the economy of the CLM.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the CLM to share the progress during 2014 in a more informal way, lunching and dining together at the Comboni House of Nova Comtagem. This Saturday, December 6, will be the second and final day of the meeting, with a very rich agenda: The schedule for the next biennium, the report on the meeting in Guatemala and the situation of the laity in Açailândia (MA) Adélia, the choice of the CLM coordinator in Brazil, reflections with the psychologist Richardson and other matters.

CLM Brazil

Happy Easter to all from Brasil

Dear friends, I wish you a Happy Easter, from here in Nova Contagem, Minas Gerais. Easter Sunday is a day of joy, of life, of Liberation. The photos attached describing a moment of our CLM group celebrating Maundy Thursday, washing each other’s feet.

We continue our journey with courage, commitment, service and passion, knowing that life triumphs over death and that love makes it born again, forever.

Happy Easter to all.

A hug.

With love Emma (Italian CLM in Brazil)

A new candidate arrives

THUS SAYS THE LORD: Behold my servant -I receive- in him my soul delights, I the Lord have called thee for justice and took you by the hand, have formed you and I did so as covenant of the people, starlight for nations, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, shows those who live in darkness.

Valdir

 

After meeting the group of CLM, have made an experience for two months training in our community and mission of Ipê Amarelo in 2013, Valdir Moreira returned to his hometown to reflect and hear more clearly the call of God on his life.

Our reality is a challenge in every way, I think every mission field has its challenges! So do not always expect the return of those who come here for the missionary journey.

But when you put your ear to the heart of the Father who is always calling laborers into the vineyard, urban violence, work, community life, in short, the challenges are small compared to the baptismal commitment.

Jesus crossing the Jordan River leaves father, mother and begins his mission, Jesus stands in the queue of men.

In the footsteps of Jesus, after reflecting Valdir sets out to serve, passes through the State of São Paulo and reaches the state of Minas Gerais.

The footprints of Jesus in Ipê Amarelo

After the party receiving comes time to put their hands to the plow!

Starts training hike, the first meeting started already in the early days of his arrival.

Father Jorge Padovan, our spiritual director is made available to encourage and guide once again a new vocation CLM. Let us pray the God of hope and life under the intercession of St. Daniel Comboni and Our Lady Aparecida to continue pouring blessings on all.

Valdir has also begun working for financial aid, as laymen we live of our sustenance, not to mention those who help us in this way, including offering paying jobs.

Valdir con P JorgeBy Maria Lourdes Vieira

Another year ends!

Many good things happened throughout 2013.

The sending of Scharliman to the international community of Rondos in Peru.

The arrival of the CLM Emma, who comes from Italy for a period of 3 years to Ipê Amarillo, Contagem-Minas Gerais.

The constant communication and support from the Central Committee and the Comboni Missionaries.

The annual meeting of the CLM, moments to check the path we are walking and find the CLM scattered throughout the mission territories of this immense Brazil.

The renewal of Flavio for 2 more years on African soil, and of course his presence with us on vacation and his availability, even while on vacation, he spared no efforts to address many invitations to talk about his missionary experience in these two years Mozambique.

Time to satisfy our nostalgias, to share joys and sorrows and recompose the strength to follow God’s plan in our missionary commitment for 2014. The pains, which are not lacking in anyone’s life, passed because its promise is real and true: I will be with you until the end.

So, friends and fellows CLM everywhere, we want to start 2014 with much strength and courage to all.

May Our Lady of Aparecida and all the saints in each country encourage us in this beautiful journey of our yes to God and Comboni.

By Maria Lourdes Vieira.

 

This is our mission field on the outskirts of Nova Contagem in the Parish of Santo Domingo

Visita pastoralThe parish of Santo Domingo and the thirteen communities received the pastoral visit of Bishop Luiz Gonzaga Fechio (Bishop of Belo Horizonte), 7 and 8 December in the district of Nova Comtagem. A special time of fellowship and sharing.

On Saturday, the Comboni missionaries presented the activities of the parish and visit the religious communities. During the evening Mass, Dom Luiz Fechio imparted the sacrament of Confirmation to the youth of the communities.

Dom Luiz visited on Sunday, the Comboni house that, through the Ministry of Prisons provides support for families of prisoners and people with addiction. He also met with leaders of the Parish Pastoral Council and the coordinators of the communities.

Don Luis Fechio in his pastoral visit also had the opportunity to see the house of the Comboni Lay Missionaries here in Ipê Amarelo and know how is the life of the CLM. For him and for us it was good to share the experiences, joys and sorrows, more joys as it is clear. Don Luis was happy to know that in a distant periphery, the CLM are communion with the people.

A Mass attended by representatives of the thirteen communities marked the end of the visit.

Visita pastoralBy Maria de Lourdes Vieira