CONGREGATION OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS • LATIN AMERICAN … · 2019. 5. 6. · different. Two secondary students and two former students from the Caminantes group became part of the

LATAMJ A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

MISSION IN SANTA ELENA

SERVING ONE'S NEIGHBOUR21 years of Edmund Rice

Educational Mission

CONGREGATION OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS • LATIN AMERICAN REGION

Missionaries from the Region gathered in Argentina

2 LATAM January/February 2017

YOU'VE BEEN WALKING IN CIRCLES. SEARCHING. DON'T DRINK BY THE WATER'S EDGE. THROW YOURSELF IN. BECOME THE

WATER. ONLY THEN WILL YOUR THIRST END.

Janette Brenson

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January/February 2017 LATAM 3

The LATAM MAGAZINE is the magazine of the Latin American Region – Christian Brothers and is published 11 times per year—January/February combined, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Publication office, Edmund Rice Development Office for the Latin American Region, is at Urbanización Arriba Perú, Canto Grande, Lima. Tlf. 388–5852. The LATAM MAGAZINE publishes text, photos and illustrations sent by our correspondents from Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Uruguay. Requests to reproduce text material should be addressed to the Edmund Rice Development Office, [email protected]. The views expressed in the LATAM MAGAZINE are those of the authors and may not reflect the official policies of the Congregation. No endorsement of those views should be referred unless specifically identified as the official view of the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

GOT A STORY/IDEA/PASTORAL MISSION? We want to hear from you, send us your ideas to: [email protected]

NEED TO CONTACT THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS? Answers to many of your vocational questions might be found at our website or you could contact us at: [email protected]

LEADERSHIP TEAMHugo Cáceres – Leader

Kevin BernardPaul Keohane

HENDRICKEN HOUSE, LIMA – PERUHugo CáceresPablo KeohaneStephen Casey

CANTO GRANDE COMMUNITY, LIMA – PERUJames Glos

Richard GlatzJohn Sullivan

Michael O'Donnell

CHIMBOTE COMMUNITY, PERUKevin Bernard

Ever CiezaVincent Peragine

NUEVO HORIZONTE COMMUNITY, CHIMBOTE – PERUSean DiFiglia

Charles Fitzsimmons

COCHABAMBA COMMUNITY, BOLIVIAEddie McArdleDermot CreganAlberto Llanos Jorge TaveraAníbal Torres

BUENOS AIRES COMMUNITY, ARGENTINAMichael Lynch

Jack CaseyStanis Hayes

Eamon O'DonnellThomas O'Connell

STELLA MARIS COLLEGEMontevideo, Uruguay

BROTHER MANOLO CENTRECochabamba, Bolivia

FE Y ALEGRIA COLLEGELima, Peru

CARDINAL NEWMAN COLLEGEBuenos Aires, Argentina

MUNDO MEJOR COLLEGEChimbote, Peru

Please recycle this magazine


FEATURES

ERI IN BOGOTÁ

10Guillermo Bullrich represented ERI

Bogotá was the centre of the 16th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laure-ates, organised by representatives of civil rights associations, the summit is a space of dialogue about peace in the world.

SERVINGTHENEIGHBOUR

1421 years of Edmund Rice Educational Mission

Monsefú has been home for hundreds of missionaries over the last 21 years. The Edmund Rice Educational Mis-sion was opened in 1996, Br Vincent Peragine has been behind this inicia-tive.

EDMUND RICE MISSION

21Missionaries gathered in Santa Elena, Argentina

Pupils and past pupils from four schools of the Latin American Region, gathered in Santa Elena, a small town in Argentina, to participate in the mission organised by a group of past pupils of Cardinal Newman.


CONTENT JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

From the Leadership Team

21

EDMUND RICE MISSION IN SANTA ELENA, ARGENTINA

06

70 years of the Brothers in Latin America.

Brother Manolo Centre08

The 'holidays' of the work-ing children.

Iona In Mission09

From New York to Lima, service beyond borders.

CAMINANTES12

New members of Cam-inantes are former stu-dents of Fe y Alegria.

BY THE NUMBERS19

Numbers about activi-ties during the summer time in the Latin Ameri-can Region.COLEGIO MUNDO MEJOR13

Campaign, recycling school supplies for chil-dren.

SUMMER HOLIDAYS18

Children from the Home for abandoned children in Puente Piedra, Lima.

RECYCLING NOTEBOOKS20

Students from Colegio Mundo Mejor, Chimbo-te, recycle notebooks for children.

CANTO GRANDE COMMUNITY27

A variety of activities took place around the community of Canto Grande in Lima.

Have courage; the good seed will grow up in the childrens' hearts later on.Edmund Rice


FROM THE LEADERSHIP TEAMSEVENTY YEARS AGO..."After an ample correspondence by letters and telegrams, the visas were finally issued. The two Brothers left London for Buenos Aires on the British South American Airways plane, the Star Dew, on November 14th, 1947..."

That is the way Education Records, 1949 (p. 131), describes the departure of the first two Christian Brothers who settled on Latin American lands. José Ignacio Doorley and Cornelio Próspero O'Reilly were the ones chosen by the Superior General for the inaugural mission. Before his departure, Brother O'Reilly suffered from some minor aches and pains due to the vaccination against smallpox and yellow fever, which were rigorous measures at the time. Also, during the stopover in Lisbon, they had to stay there for 26 hours because of some problems with the plane brakes. Finally, the pioneers landed on Buenos Aires soil on November 17th. There are no great beginnings without small hurdles.

Dear readers, I invite you to celebrate this year the life that those two Christian Brothers devoted to a grand task 70 years ago, while also remembering the abundant life they found in South America. In addition to the immense and rich Argentinian territory, where several European nations can fit in, they were the first Christian Brothers of more than fifty Brothers from Ireland and the United States. All of those Brothers decided to make this continent their home and shared with South Americans their own values while embracing new ones from the warmer lands. The result was an enrichment of their lives. Looking at the old poster from the British South American Airways from the forties, we can see a number of stereotypes that the Europeans had about us. It suggests that dancing is our main attribute, that everyone dances flamenco (Olé!), and that we all wear Mexican hats. Brothers Doorley and O'Reilly probably smiled when they looked at the picturesque poster while they were purchasing their plane tickets at the BSAA office.

When they set foot on South American land, they started out a lengthy process which we now call "immersion," and which Jesus modeled when he became our brother in Mary's womb (Incarnation). Doorly and O'Reilly widened and deepened their lives when they accepted Latin Americans in their hearts; first, Irish descendents and then, little by little, the broad multicultural spectrum which characterizes Argentina. Indeed, something quite different from what they saw on the airline poster. They had a chance to meet and love real Latin Americans. This meeting of open hearts if the reason for our happiness in 2017... seven decades of openness and encounter in the light of the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ. To all those many more years to come, cheers!

Hugo Cáceres, Leader of the Latin American Region


CONTRIBUTORS

Guillermo Bullrich, is the coordinator of Edmund Rice International for the Latin American Region. Edmund Rice International with its headquarters in Geneva, fo-cuses on promoting Human Rights and Advocacy, pro-viding training for different members of the Edmund Rice Movement around the world. Edmund Rice Inter-national also has an office in New York, where Br Kev-in Cawley is the person in charge.

Eddie McArdle, is an Irish Christian Brother who lives in the Community in Coch-abamba, Bolivia. Since 2008 all his energy is spent in the Brother Manolo Centre, a centre for working children and teenagers from the southern part of Cocha-bamba. They all study and work in the local market 'La Cancha'. At the centre, the children learn values, re-ceive reinforcement classes and parents participate in workshops in parenting skills. Children are accom-panyied closely so they don't drop out of school.

Charles Fitzsimmons, is a North American brother, he has spent more than a decade living in the Latin American Region, he has participated in different projects in Paraguay and Peru.Two years ago he accepted to live in a community in the style of Our Way Into The Future, the worldwide project for the Congrega-tion. Br Charles lives in Nuevo Horizonte, Chimbo-te. He is actively involved in activities in the local parish.

Mayra Muro, is a past pupil from Colegio Fe y Alegría – in Lima, is a cur-rent member of the group Caminantes. She studies Psychology at Catholic University; she is the com-munications person for the group, Caminantes. Mayra has been involved in the organising team of the last two missions in Lima. She has participated in many missions and meetings in the Latin American Region and has attended the mis-sion in Argentina twice.

Rusbeld Chero, is a char-ismatic teacher in Colegio Mundo Mejor in Chimbote, he is the coordinator of the outreach programme called 'Pastoral Externa' where senior students from the school participate actively, attending different centres once a week. One of the centres where students do their service is a home for abandoned children, man-aged by a group of religious sisters. Rusbeld has partici-pated in different meetings and missions in the Region.


THE 'HOLIDAYS' OF THE CHILDREN FROM CEHMWorking children and teenagers who attend the Brother Manolo Centre in Cochabamba are back to school.

BY EDDIE McARDLE

The ‘Holidays’ of children who attend the Brother Manolo Centre in Cochabamba, Bolivia

In this time of vacations the door of the day centre Centro Hermano Manolo is closed. Work in the street continues because it is the most demanding time for working children and adolescents (NNATs).

There are a lot more young workers taking advantage of not having classes, resulting in competition for space on the sidewalk, until some adults “rent” a place in the threshold of a business to 50% of their profits! Longer periods on the street means more risks!

Today is the first day of the new school year in Bolivia and it is admirable to hear them proudly tell how they saved to buy the uniform, a girl who has worked in a tailor’s

shop behind her house bought her school books, another has worked in a bakery and another has washed cars at Kilometre Eight. It’s the showery season here but still the work goes on.

Some have travelled to other cities, for example to work the wheat harvest outside of Potosí; another has gone to the barracks in Tarija to start military service. One of the seniors took advantage of the donation from CBS Middleton and Blarney St to participate in a course and is now a hairdresser and charges half price to small working children who want to cut their hair before school. Thanks to our friends the Centre offers “scholarships” these days, that is, the child pays a third of the cost of their copybooks for classes.

In the first days of the holidays a group of the bigger ones spent a weekend in a camp in Arani where they enjoyed the pure Andean nature

at its best. The photo shows some tired people visiting the town of Arani on the way back.

The Brother Manolo Centre is a project of the Christian Brothers that assists children and adolescents who work and study; This project aims to prevent them from dropping out of school. This project also provides of scholarships to some kind of training to enter in the labor market and thus help their families when they finish school.

Brother Manolo Centre opens its doors thanks to the financial support of Misean Cara and Edmund Rice Development, as well as many generous people who continue to support us.

Group of brothers, workers, volunteers and teenagers from the centre at the Arani mountain in Cochabamba.


"My Immersion experience to Peru is something I will never forget. During my adventures in Peru I learned so much about

the country and the people. Seeing and experiencing the life in Canto Grande was very eye opening. And I have so much more respect to the people who live in Canto Grande because being able to live and build a home in the hills was a tough but rewarding experience. Also, being able to live and experience life in Jicamarca was something that I will cherish forever. I was able to experience this with the help of Brother Steve Casey and an amazing friend he brought a long on our journey name Kevin. Kevin welcomed us to his home and living with his family and learning about their life in Jicamarca was something I appreciated. Peru will always have a spot in my heart as I wish to return and learn more." Gus Ramirez, Class of 2017 - Mass Communication Major

"I was blessed to have opportunity to be able to spend two nights and three days in Jicamarca living with a family in the hill right next door to where our service sight was. The service we did on that hill was to finish taking down the home that was there previously and begin to

chip away at the mountain for them to construct their new house. There was dirt everywhere! Living with the people who we were serving was a new experience that I found for myself to better understand the living conditions of the marginalized. Living with those we serve in solidarity is the true meaning of being in immersion. Jicamarca will always have a place in my heart, be a home to go back to, and a loving community to all who live there. Ve con Dios Lima, Peru." Justin D. Pellegrino, Iona College Class of 2019. School of Arts and Science - Social Work

"Our team, 14 women and men from Iona College, embarked on a service journey throughout Lima, Peru. We visited communities up on the mountains of Canto Grande and Hijamarca, and always found ourselves welcomed with endless kindness. We carried tools and supplies up the steps of the mountains in solidarity with the locals, so that we can accomplish a task. Along the way we shared stories, meals and laughs with each other, and soon enough we had built a home- in many ways. The hearts of women like Carmen and Nisarata and men like Jorge are eternally welcoming, insisting that if we ever return one day, we will always have a place to stay. Later on in the week, our team gathered toys, sports

equipment, and art supplies for a summer camp at Fe E Alegria. In just three short days, the children stole our hearts. Mothers and Grandmothers joined us in the fun, make bracelets, throwing water balloons, and embracing one others’ company. If you want to experience love in its purest form, you’ll only find it in Peru. " Alexa Filipe, Iona College.

IONA COLLEGE MISSIONARIES

Every year in January, a group consisting of alumni and students from IONA College from New York, travel to Lima to live a two week immersion experience. Each group builds a prefab house on the hills of Canto Grande, for a family living in extreme poverty. This experience nurtures the service spirit of the participants. IONA College, you're always welcome to our house.

IONA IN MISSION:Service beyond borders


In January, The 16th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates took place in Bogotá, ERI representative attended the event.

Since its first edition in 1999, the World Summit for Nobel Peace Laureates has been held annually, a gathering that brings together Nobel Peace Prize winners, whether

organizations or representatives of civil societies. The summit usually takes place during 4 days of work in which plenary sessions are combined, where a panel of experts on human rights and peace processes, among whom there are always several laureates, discusses a series of predetermined topics, and workshops on specific issues take place but always related to the search for peace and sustainable development. I was invited to this meeting by Jessica Dewhurst, director of Edmund Rice International for central and southern Africa, who has been involved and has been working on the summit since 2014.

Mijaíl Gorbachev, the last president of the Soviet Union, who was honored in 1990 for his work to end the cold war, originally thought of this space for dialogue, and thought of it as an opportunity to bring together organizations and referents for world peace to deal with the problematic at the global level and at the same time support and help those who are struggling to live in a world that is fair, equitable and far from conflict.

The XVI edition of this summit was the first to be held in Latin American territory and this had much to do with the road to peace that is

ERI LATIN-AMERICA IN BOGOTÁ

BY GUILLERMO BULLRICH

passing through Colombia. After more than fifty years of conflict between the state and guerrilla groups, Colombia is experiencing a process of dialogue and encounter that advances day by day towards a peaceful resolution of the struggles. However, beyond the important advance that we see in Colombia, I see in the approach of the world leaders in the struggle for peace to our region a message of inclusion for a territory that many times was and is left aside.

During the four days of work at the Summit there were 9 plenary sessions and more than 30 workshops for the youth delegation. Always with the axis in peace, the sessions addressed sustainable development, education, inclusion, diversity, youth, national dialogue and peace in the private sector. It was during the seventh session that the transcendental actors presented themselves in the peace process in Colombia. The heads of the negotiations of the state and the F.A.R.C. shared their experiences at the negotiating tables that have lasted more than two years and had the most important development in 2016 in Cuba. The


It was also very encouraging to have been selected to join the group that drafted and read the final statement of the youth delegation.

When the event ended, a group of students and young professionals, collaboratively shaped, for two afternoons, a final document of our goals and objectives for the future. It was our intention to indicate clearly and concretely that we demanded from the leaders of our countries, that we completely reject discrimination in all its forms and authoritarianism.

In March of 2018, the World Summit for Nobel Peace Prizes will be held again in North America, as it will be held in Costa Rica, a country that is an emblem for peace.

Undoubtedly these meetings will bring to our region, a greater awareness and a community spirit.

achievements made by the two commissions are very important steps for the Colombian nation, but all that was emphasized is what they call "post-conflict". The road to peace is just the beginning, and it was Ivan Márquez, the head of the guerrilla negotiators' group, who said during the summit that the Colombian government must fulfill the promises made in the negotiations so that members of the guerrillas can re-enter the society.

Personally and professionally it was a very enriching experience for me as I had the honor of listening to people like Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity Movement in Poland, Rigoberta Menchú, a reference in our continent for her struggle for the rights of the original peoples, Jody Williams, activist for humanitarian law, among others. The enthusiasm of these people who dedicated their lives to seek justice and peace had a very strong impact on me and filled me with energy to deepen my work for human rights in the Latin American Region.


The most beautiful place on earth...The very center of your heart is where life begins.

~Rumi


NEW MEMEBERS FOR THE GROUP 'CAMINANTES'Denisse, Allison and Miguel joined the group Caminantes. New members add much energy to the group.

BY MAYRA MURO

On January 15 the Group Caminantes gathered to officially welcome new members, all

of them former Fe y Alegria students: Denisse, Allison and Miguel; very welcome to the team!

We are very happy to continue to have more members on the team who can carry out our project and who are also very serious about responding the Lord’s call to service.

We know that they will bring new ideas and freshness to the team, which will nourish this project. For us it is very important that the team grows and renews itself as this will allow us to start new projects.

“For me, being part of Caminantes makes me feel good because it is a team in which we all give our opinion and it is also amazing to be part of all the projects we carry out. Every year we have more members joining the team.

Thanks to that we can do better things such as: learn, have more experiences, grow as persons and in general, serve others. I am very happy to be part of this team because I feel comfortable and because I feel good helping others.” Denisse Rojas.

“I am very happy to finally be part of the group Caminantes, it was my desire to join the group even before finishing high school; it is my desire to serve others. I want to sincerely thank all the members for giving me this opportunity to be a member of the group, I want you to know that I will do my best to reach our goals.” Miguel Vargas.

“A fundamental and important decision by which I decided to join Caminantes was because my desire to

do service. When I joined the Pastoral team at school, I felt that God was closer to me, I think that God gives us the vocation of service to others, I am very happy with it and I will continue

on that road because that is where I find happiness.” Allison Díaz.


Serving one's neighborEdmund Rice Educational MissionBY MIGUEL CANCHIS, JAIR CONQUI, IVAN FERNANDEZ AND JOSÉ CORDOVA

This year we celebrated the 21st Edmund Rice Educational Mis-sion in Monsefú. Every summer since 1996, missionaries from Christian Brothers Schools, brothers and young men inter-

ested in the Brother's life, spend a month pro-viding reinforcement in Maths and Literacy to local children from villages near to Monsefú. Hundreds of missionaries have served for a month in Monsefú, living in community with the Brothers.



Serving one's neighbor in Monsefú

ABOUT MONSEFÚ AND THE MISSIONMonsefú is a small district located on the

north coast of Peru, ironically known as "The City of Flowers", although it is surrounded by an arid desert, and where flowers are not very common to see.

In 1996 the Edmund Rice Educational Mission was initiated by Brother Vincent Peragine. At that time, teachers, parents and students of Colegio Fe y Alegría, but above all a large number of missionaries from Monsefú, gave life to the Brothers' house, where, years before, a joyful community of brothers lived there and worked in San Carlos School.

This year the Edmund Rice Educational Mission turned 21. Each year, the students and alumni are invited to participate. This time the participants of Colegio Mundo Mejor and Fe y Alegría were present, each participant was carefully selected. All those elected have shown a commitment to the community, good availability and spirit of solidarity.

THE MOST COMMITEDThe selection of missionaries began in late

October of last year. Students who were chosen to participate in the mission, considered it an opportunity to serve.

At Fe y Alegría school, the process was different. Two secondary students and two former students from the Caminantes group became part of the mission.

From January 19th to February 17th, 12 young students, 3 alumni from both schools, one postulant to the Congregation of Christian Brothers and three brothers participated in the mission.

The Edmund Rice Mission in Monsefú has an educational approach. It provides academic activities for primary school children, due to the fact that education in smaller towns is not that effective. The purpose of the mission is to fight against poverty by creating better educational conditions for children.

For a month, the missionaries teach math and communication to primary school children in different villages in the district of Monsefú. This year, the missionaries were in Valle Hermoso and Jesus Nazareno, two villages with high index of inhabitants living in extreme poverty.

The day everyone had to travel to the city of Monsefú, all the missionaries gathered in the bus terminal and as they boarded the bus. They said goodbye to their families and they were soon on the way to Chiclayo in the company of

Brother Ever Cieza.

THE ARRIVALThe strong breeze from the sea lifted the dust

from the streets of Monsefú. The trip lasted almost 7 hours. Mrs. Maritza, an associate to Blessed Edmund Rice Family, was already at the door of the Brothers' house, waiting for the newcomers. After settling in the rooms, the missionaries gathered to plan their stay. That same day, they were divided into groups of five to perform the different tasks in the house, as in a family: those who would wash dishes, those who would clean the rooms and places in common, and those who would prepare the prayers in the morning and at night.

The next day began with a prayer. After breakfast, an anxious group of missionaries was ready to go to the places where they would teach for a month.

SMALL VILLAGES FROM MONSEFÚ It is a 45-minute walk from Monsefú to Valle

Hermoso, a small village where over a hundred families live. Along the way one crosses with some small houses, but more often one sees fields. The green scene extended along the way, unusual for a desert area, which was a sign of a little stream. In Valle Hermoso there is only one elementary and secondary school, a small chapel, abundant sand, many curious children and several dozen of dogs. As the missionaries get closer, the locals know that the missionaries have arrived in town.

Jesús Nazareno is also a small village of few houses and several families. That day, the missionaries visited both places. When they returned home, the missionaries from Lima had arrived and settled in their respective places.

At night, working groups were formed for both communities (Valle Hermoso and Jesús Nazareno), as well as the coordinators of each group.

MISSIONARIES IN ACTIONMonday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm. classes

would be held. The service schedule was ready. Every day they left the house at 8 am., so that they would arrive on time at the work center. Before starting, each group in their respective community had a short prayer together with the children, as well as some dinamics to start the day with enthusiasm. After a couple of hours of classes, there was a half-hour break for the children to play and take their refreshments, brought by the missionaries.

In the mornings the Brothers' house remained


reigned. There were many opportunities for sharing: lunches, visits to different beaches, tours of museums and the city of Chiclayo, films projected in the house and unforgettable karaoke sessions. They experienced union and brotherhood accompanied by many funny anecdotes that were the beginning of friendships that will surely remain for many years.

THE MOST IMPORTANTThe essential aspect of the mission, however,

was the moments of prayer that took place in the morning, at the beginning of the day, and at night, to close the day. The prayers were times of reflection where each other nurtured each other’s faith. Listening attentively was a very important aspect in the group, although the average age of the missionaries did not reach 19, they were all listened respectfully.

Today's world pushes everyone to be connected, each morning the missionaries left their cell phones, and instead of using social media to share "what they are thinking", they received a piece of paper in which they found a question that helped them to reflect throughout the day. Once night came, each one shared their points of view, their feelings and their story. Every missionary shared from the heart.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR

The mission was an opportunity for service, to learn to live in harmony with others and to be more attentive to the invitation of God to love our neighbor. All the missionaries left Monsefú loaded with pleasant experiences, and many learnings. It was also an opportunity to realize the noble task of teachers and the importance of education. Living in community was a great experience where everyone learned to appreciate the value of each person. The Edmund Rice Educational Mission was an extraordinary experience.

uninhabited, however in the afternoon it changed dramatically. The missionaries, loaded with boxes and materials, gathered in the courtyard of the house to prepare the classes and select the materials they would use for the next day. Many others carefully scrutinized the homework children had done, and still others, carefully corrected the exams they had prepared.

A LEARNING EXPERIENCEBesides the service each missionary gave to

the children, a very important aspect was the community living. Spending a month living with strangers in the same house is not an easy task, but in the missionary group harmony

The invitation of the current society pushes everyone to be connected, each morning the missionaries left their cell phones, and instead of using social media to share "what they are thinking", they received a piece of paper in which they found a question that helped them to reflect throughout the day. Once the night came, each one shared their points of view, their feelings and history. Every missionary shared from the heart.


MISSIONS IN THE REGIONIn the summer time (January/Febrary), missions took place in the Latin American Region, it was also the longest break from school for students. This year many stu-dents travelled miles to participate in different missions. 125

NUMBER OF MISSIONARIES IN SANTA ELENA

Santa Elena is a small town from the district Feliciano in the department of La Paz in the province of Entre Ríos in Argentina. The population is about 17, 883 according to

the latest census in 2010.A group of alumni from Cardenal Newman College

organized a mission in Santa Elena where students from Mundo Mejor, Fe y Alegría, Stella Maris and Newman

attended.

15Is the number of mission-aries who collaborated in the Educational Mission in Monsefú. Participants

came from Colegio Mundo Mejor and Colegio Fe y

Alegría.

45 min

Is the time that took missionaries in the Educational Mission in Monsefú to walk every morning to get to Valle Hermoso where they taught Maths and Communications to little children from Primary school. The families in Valle Hermoso live in extreme poverty, the missionaries spend a month among them.

24 Groups from United States, Canada, Ireland, Aus-tralia, Uruguay and Argentina will live an immerison experience in the Latin American Region in 2017. 22 groups will have their experience in Lima and 2 groups will travel to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Hendricken House welcomes every year over 17 im-mersion groups from different parts of the world.

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RECLYING A NOTEBOOK HELPS THE ENVIRONMENTStudents from Colegio Mundo Mejor participate in recycling campaign of used school materials.

BY RUSBELD CHERO

As we prepare for the beginning of another school year, the consequences for our environment hardly anyone realizes the impact on our environment.

Notebooks, paper and endless products are purchased each year during this time, however the cost for our planet is very high, consider the following:

Only one ton of paper requires the consumption of 17 trees, 100 cubic meters of water and 7,600 Kw/h of energy.

This year, in Mundo Mejor, we intend to teach a culture of recycling to our new students. To do so, we asked students to donate what they will no longer use. All the collected material was given to many children who didn't have the financial means to start their school year.

"Why not give what I no longer need to someone who will benefit from it?" Was one of the testimonies of the seniors of San José Patriarca Class, who is part of this project. Recycling paper, notebooks, pencils, colors and backpacks that were left the previous year and that will be used by other children who do not have those materials.

"I had them in my house and my mother told me that she was going to throw them in the trash. There were cartridges, colors, pens and I told her that I would take them to the school where they need them. My dad helped me bring them." said Andrea Regalado Méndez. "This notebook I did

not use, I took some used sheets out and the label of my name and it was like new" Fabiola Salazar Mendoza. Recycling allows us to assemble school kits, selecting the tools used from the previous year and that are no longer of use, to give them new life.

This year we collected more than the previous years. Children usually bring new supplies, besides that, what interests us the most was the power to recycle. We know that the pens, colors and their own backpacks of the previous years, will make other children happy, and with that we contribute to the care of the environment.

Mundo Mejor students partici-pate in recycling

campaign.



Edmund Rice MissionSanta Elena, ArgentinaBY SERGIO BORAGNO

The Edmund Rice Mission in Ar-gentina is an iniciative started by Br Paul Keohane and con-tinued by alumni from Cadinal Newman College. This year, Santa Elena was the town cho-

sen, where 125 missionaries served the local community. The organizing team planned carefully the dates, activities and coordinated with the local parish in the town where the mission took place.


Alumni from four school of the Latin American Region father in Santa Elena

More than 60 alumni from Colegio Stella Maris, 4 from Fe y Alegría and 4 others from Mundo Mejor were invited to particpate in the Edmund Rice Mission in Santa Elena, Province of Entre Ríos – Argentina from January 27 to February 10, the Edmundo Rice Mission was organized by alumni from Colegio Cardenal Newman, were more than 50 missionaries of Newman participated.

The mission divided in two groups, the first from 27 January to 3 February and the second from the 3rd to the 10th of February. In Santa Elena there was a large group of 125 missionaries from different schools of the Latin American Region who stayed in the parish school of Santa Rosa de Lima.

The missionaries had three different pastoral centers (San Agustín, Santa Rosa and the Equestrian Center). They also visited frequently the local parish where they carried out other activities.

During the Mission, the missionaries had the following schedule: After breakfast and prayer, during the morning, visits were made to the families of Santa Elena, listening to their concerns, learning from their experiences and sharing a moment of reflection in the light of faith.

In the afternoon there are games with children, workshops with young people and the celebration of the Eucharist in each one of the mission centers. After returning from school, the missionaries had dinner, prayer and reflection about the day, which was a fundamental moment that nourished and strengthened the rest of the activities.

The climate generated by the group of alumni from the schools was exceptional and greatly facilitated the evangelizing dynamics, the main objective of this mission.

Some participants tell their experiences:

"The week in Santa Elena was a unique time. What we did there is very nice and very subtle at the same time. What we do there is we try to plant a seed, delivering a message of faith, love and hope, on how to choose life. The incredible thing was that we ended up getting more than we gave, it was like a “boomerang effect.” I lived those days with joy and happiness, pure and simple, without ulterior motives. And that is the same for every adult. During the reflections at the end of the day I felt joy and admiration that touched my soul. I have learnt a lot from all the life testimonies that I have heard. I lived very special moments that I will keep near to my heart." Paulina Nicolich, Stella Maris.

"It was a week, one of those weeks that do not go unnoticed in one’s life, that’s how I experienced what I lived in Santa Elena. Full of joy, faith and energy; we had the opportunity to understand and to experience how important is the encounter with others, sharing, listening and smiling. I learnt a lot that week where I lived in such a simple way but at the same time so fully, feeling the presence and company of Jesus at all times. The experiences in Santa Elena gave me the strength to face the year in a different way, always remembering that we have to thankful for our lives and for being children of God." María Belén Delafond, Stella Maris.

“During this mission I spent a good time reflecting and in silence. Before coming to the mission I asked God to make me more sensible in the way that I look to others, so that I could identify God's love in every detail of the mission.

I realized of all the love I received and how I felt my soul being filled with joy when, among the missionaries, we shared our faith. Because I guess that's all about the mission, sharing our faith in different ways, through our words, and our energy or simply listening to someone who needs to be listened.

I have several examples and experiences from the mission on how I found God and Jesus' spirit, but I'm only going to tell two of them.

The first one was the laughter and joy of Renzo, a three-year-old little boy from Santa Elena. He was always crazy about the activities, we used to gather at 5 pm in the playground of the school and he was always there. One of the missionaries played with him, flying kites and making drawings and he never stopped laughing.

It was contagious, I laughed with him without knowing the reason. That laughter was symbol of God's presence in that little child, in the simple, in the humble, in the innocence and in the tenderness.

The other example was the last prayer we had as a group. We all embraced one another as a sign of gratefulness for all that we lived. Once more I felt at that moment God's presence. The fact was for the same reason we had a unique purpose and it was a very special occasion. There I realized that in that embrace we were united by a great force of love, bigger than anything, and the friendship we made was beyond borders.

In that moment I remembered about the pilars of the Edmund Rice Charism: Presence, Compassion and Liberation. Br Paul Keohane once told me; "Presence is the most important, that's why it goes first" it made me realize of something very simple to understand, that our


time, strong ones with people I did not know, from different schools and different countries, was an unique experience. I felt privileged and pleased to be able to share my values, my thoughts and my feelings with people I had just met but deep down we were there for a reason: God. I realized that something bigger united us, something immense. In spite of coming from different places, we shared the values of Edmund Rice, those values that the spirit of the school instilled in us. At all times I felt very integrated and valued by all, whether the boys of Newman, the boys from Peru and my own colleagues from Uruguay. Also, it struck me as we were received in Santa Elena. I remember that on Sunday we went to mass in the parish and people thanked us for coming, they said "Welcome!". It made me feel at home.

Personally, I really enjoyed the experience I had - along with other missionaries - with the parish youth group there. I liked it because, in addition to having my moments with children and with my missionary mates, I was able to share activities with young people between 13 and 25 years old. I felt privileged to be part of and mobilized because I learned to value things that normally I don't appreciate. The truth is, that my experience with these young people was incredible; I was surprised how they related with us without any problem and I think that they were a great support to us as we were for them. It was really something special!

I think the experience I had in Santa Elena was the fuel to start the year. We went to carry a message of faith, of joy, of love but I consider that I returned home with many more things than I could have possibly given. It was a week where I felt full, spontaneous and loved. I could be myself, I took the time to think about things that I don't normally think about... I managed to understand the importance of the encounter and listening to others, to be supportive. I have memories of the time I shared with each child, each missionary, each young person, each friend and each adult. I have many memories of this special week and in which, no doubt, I felt God's presence in every moment, every smile, every prayer, every hug. I was super happy!” Olivia Pereyra, Stella Maris (Second group)

"It was a very nice experience, where I learned many things like sharing, interacting with people I did not know, appreciating customs and emotions of people I had never seen. It was one of the best experiences I could have had, I will never forget the reflections we had every day, which helped me to notice many things and correct many mistakes. I really enjoyed visiting families and knowing their needs, concerns, joys and the best of all is that they felt happy with our presence, I hope it will be repeated at some point."

presence in Santa Elena was a seed planted, and that's what Father Leo (Parish priest of Santa Elena) said, that the seed planted is now in God's hands for it to grow with love.” María, Stella Maris (First group)

"Being the first time I went to the mission, I did not know what to expect, I just had the 'it's amazings' and 'worth goings' from some alumni with whom I had spoken. My expectations grew. Each encounter, both with the people of Santa Elena and with the missionaries themselves, filled my heart with different feelings; joy, empathy, understanding, gratitude and even frustration and sadness. From simply listening to a family life story or playing to make a child smile we were able to experience how faith works when it is shared. The famous expression 'give to receive' didn't work for me because in my opinion, I received much more than I gave. Every moment helped so that little by little this experience became a day-to-day living and turned into a collection of memories with feelings that helped me to appreciate how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to participate in the mission. It was a moment of connection with people who needed to be heard; it was a moment of connection with the values that the congregation gave us and through each daily reflection, it was a moment of connection with oneself.” Federica Ponte, Stella Maris (Second group)

"The week in Santa Elena was an unforgettable week; full of joys, surprises, encounters, shared memories and friendships... It was the first time I went on a mission and, in truth, I went without many expectations and without knowing why I was going. Now that I look back, I greatly appreciate the fact that I had the opportunity to go. I enjoyed it very much. I was impressed by the atmosphere that was created. To live and share those very beautiful moments and, at the same

After breakfast and prayer, during the morning, visits were made to the families of Santa Elena, listening to their concerns, learning from their experiences and sharing a moment of reflection in the light of faith.


Germán Leyva, Mundo Mejor

"Love, solidarity and commitment is what were reflected in the mission in Santa Elena. I'm very grateful to God for the opportunity. It was an experience that I will always keep close to my heart, because we did not only share happiness, but we also shared smiles with children and the people we visited. It was very gratifying to know that we touched the hearts of many. I met and interacted with many missionaries, all incredible people with big hearts. The mission was an experience that marked and helped me as a person, I hope to continue serving. " Shantall Guzmán, Mundo Mejor.

"This mission was all about giving what we are, with the help of God we were able to reach many people and spend precious time together with the other missionaries, who are great people. I learned a lot. I gave all of myself and I received much more than I expected. Each day, the reflections and masses were incredible because I felt that I was closer to God. I liked everything we did and the fellowship we shared” Jhonatan Ipanalqué, Mundo Mejor

"The long journey of the new and mysterious experience that awaited us in Santa Elena increased my desire to start the mission and made me wish to give everything of myself, but upon arriving it was even more pleasing. It was surprising to me, how much I learned, received and discovered from that place. The coexistence with all the missionaries (wonderful people) was incredible, I received much more than I gave and it made me feel more than satisfied. I also discovered how wonderful it is to listen to elderly people in the Home, from whom I learned a lot from each of the stories I heard." Edgar Lunarejo, Mundo Mejor.

"It was something new for me, I was able to meet many students with the same ideas and purpose. It was nice to see so many young people who were a little rowdy, jumping, acting their own age, but nevertheless when it was time to go to mission they did it with responsibility, as when it was time to be at mass or prayer. It was nice to see them so devoted, ready to open their hearts to God, which was a great emotion, dedicating time to God and good works. Meeting the people, playing with the children was very nice and spiritually comforting, I'm very grateful to God for the opportunity.” Frida Guillén, profesora de Mundo Mejor.

"When I was told that I was going to participate in the Mission I was very happy, I had already been told about the mission, but I wanted to experience it. It was a week with many mixed feelings and I enjoyed every moment that I spent there. It is always good to get out of one's environment and to meet another reality. The mission was a very enriching experience, I did not just go to serve but also to learn and reflect; it was, without a doubt, an unparalleled experience". Allison Diaz, Fe y Alegría

"I could summarize the mission week in Santa Elena with the word LOVE because that is what all the missionaries went to give and what we also received from every person we met. During the week we had beautiful experiences with the most beautiful feelings that were reflected in our work with children, young people, the elderly and with all the locals. Now I understand that the meaning of this mission is not limited to just a geographical location, but is everywhere. I wish that every experience and every person we met will be present in our memories and prayers." Claudia Ponte, Fe y Alegría

"The mission in Santa Elena was a wonderful experience, sharing afternoons with children, playing, doing dynamics. It filled me with happiness. Spending a few hours with the children could really make their evenings much more joyful. In addition, each morning, families shared a little of their culture, their sorrows and joys with us. The experience that captivated me most was when I went to the children's home. I liked the fraternal atmosphere, how everyone treated us as brothers and sisters. I appreciate the beautiful experience and I will carry it in my heart ". Rocío Rojas, Fe y Alegría

"The mission in Santa Elena was one of the most important experiences in my life. Being able to share and meet wonderful people, missionaries, families and children has taught me many things that will help me with my personal growth. Singing, playing, laughing and having moments of such happiness motivated me to put it into practice in my daily life. I didn't need to bring home souvenirs, because Argentina gave me something more important, spiritual growth and memories of Santa Elena that I would treasure in my mind and in my heart". Brayan Castillo, Fe y Alegría

"I was happy to go back as a missionary in Argentina and to be able to meet old friends. Each mission experience is always enriching and Santa Elena was no exception as we were able to share great moments with the community. It filled me with hope as I shared with young people of Santa Elena and helped them shape the different ideas and projects they have in mind for their community. Finally, I am grateful for acompanying the group of missionaries from Fe y Alegria and see their growth in the mission.” Mayra Muro, Fe y Alegría


SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN TORTUGAS52 children and 13 adults, all memebers of the Home for abandoned Children in Puente Piedra, Lima, travelled to Chimbote.

BY CHARLES FITZSIMMONS

Brother Charles Fitzsimmons arrived on February 10th in Nuevo Horizonte after his family visit in the United States. He returned to Chimbote on time to

participate in the last sessions of a summer camp offered in the parish of Jesus of Nazareth. Four volunteer ladies from the parish gave six weeks of reinforcement classes to about sixty children in a program organized by Father Fernando.

On February 16th, fifty-two orphans from the Home for children in Puente Piedra, Lima arrived to enjoy ten days on the beach, in the town called Tortugas. The children arrived with thirteen companions.

This activity has been carried out for 12 years, and the sponsor is Father Fernando. The children were between 4 and 18 years old. During their stay they had a lot of fun. The children and their thirteen companions went to the sea twice a day, slept on mattresses on the floor of the village chapel. Some of the children are orphans, and some have families who can not care for them now. Three of the orphans have already started their studies at the university.

On February 17th, the workers hired by Father Fernando arrived at the chapel of the Brothers, Virgen de las Mercedes, to build a new chapel twice as big as the current one. The same group of builders had just built a new room in the parish of Jesus of Nazareth.

A group of children

and their companions

spent long hours trying to build a

sand castle.


IMMERSION GROUPS IN 2017 IN HENDRICKEN HOUSE AND COCHABAMBA COMMUNITY

03 – 14

18 –22

27 – 03

15 – 21

21 – 28

11 – 18

24 – 02

05 – 11

16 – 23

17 – 24

28 – 06

12 – 20

26 – 03

10 – 14

10 – 16

17 – 24

30 – 09

12 – 18

24 – 31

11 – 19

24 – 31

10 – 16

24 – 30

01 – 09

IONA COLLEGE, NEW YORK

NEWMAN, PAST PUPILS 2015

BERGEN CATHOLIC, NEW JERSEY

HENDRICKEN, RHODE ISLAND

CATHOLIC MEMORIAL, BOSTON

VANCOUVER COLLEGE

C.B.C FREEMANTLE, AUSTRALIA

IONA PREP, NEW YORK

TEACHERS FROM IRLAND (BOLIVIA)

NEWMAN, PUPILS

NEWMAN, PUPILS

NEWMAN, PARENTS AND SONS

NEWMAN, MOTHERS

ERI LATIN AMERICA, MEETING (BOLIVIA)

BROTHER RICE, MICHIGAN

PALMAS HIGH SCHOOL, SALINAS

SAINT THOMAS MORE, VACOUVER

IONA PREP, NEW YORK, PARENTS AND SONS

PILGRIMS IN PERU, TEACHERS

NEWMAN, TEACHERS

STELLA MARIS, PUPILS

STELLA MARIS, MOTHERS

BERGEN CATHOLIC, NEW JERSEY

LEWISHAM H.S, SYDNEY

JANUARY

JANUARY

JAN/FEB

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

MAR/APR

APRIL

APRIL

APRIL

APR/MAY

MAY

MAY/JUN

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

JUN/JUL

JULY

JULY

AUGUST

AUGUST

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER


During the summer months (January and February) the brothers of the community of Canto Grande

have dedicated themselves to various activities in preparation for the new school year, which began on March 8th.

Richard, the Administrative Advisor of "Fe y Alegría – Christian Brothers", was anxious to have the improvements done before the beginning of the school year. A very important job was to put the finishing touches on the new kitchen that will be used for the preparation of school lunches of the "Buen Gusto" program. In addition, the kitchen could be used as an environment for a new education option, if approval from the Ministry of Education is obtained for this activity.

In February, Richard did a bit of tourism for four days in Colombia along with his brother, Bob. He also coordinated with Elser Llanos, the Director of Development of the Latin American Region, the drafting of the Fe y Alegría project, as well as some activities that require foreign financing.

Michael spent many days in the Carpentry Workshop making crosses, using the wood left over from the carpentry classes. For seven years,

Michael has dedicated himself to this apostolate by giving crosses as gifts to friends, teachers and students who come to visit Peru. On the other hand, he took on the task of repairing a large number of tables and chairs left in poor condition at the end of the 2016 school year.

During Christmas and the month of January, Javier was on a family visit in the United States. After returning to Peru he resumed his apostolate as tutor in a program called Instituto Radiofónico Fe y Alegría (IRFA), in which adults study to finish their Primary and Secondary. For three years, apart from his varied activities at school, Javier meets with his adult students on Saturdays to help them understand the lessons heard on CDs. Becuase he's also responsible for the Band of the College, Javier devotes time to repair the musical instruments in order to have them in good condition for the new school year.

Early in January, Jim joined the Canto Grande Community after a six-year absence, of which he spent five years at Hendricken House and a year in St. Elizabeth. During January and February, Jim dedicated himself to several activities; he visited Arequipa to coordinate various issues of the NGO "Yachay Wasi"; he worked two days with teachers from Fe y Alegria School to prepare Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

workshops with students for the 2017 school year; and he met with his team (Obstetrician Karina and Miss Majo Sánchez) to coordinate workshops on SSR for parents and mothers. With his team, he gave a presentation about the SSR program to 30 elementary teachers from the Fe y Alegría Network. Br Jim was interviewed by the Ministry of Education on the subject of gender equality, he was also interviewed on RPP television network.

ACTIVITIES IN THE SCHOOL

As mentioned above, the Ministry of Education sent personnel to our school to interview some staff about GENDER EQUALITY. Interviewed were Br Jim, Mrs Vilma Guerra and the Principal, Gaby Bravo. The interviews were conducted on the basis of several questions on how this controversial theme is covered in the school in SSR courses and workshops. These interviews, with others carried out in several other educational institutions, were used to prepare a video about the importance of this topic in the curricular design of the Ministry of Education of Peru.

CANTO GRANDE COMMUNITY

Región Latinoamérica©2017 Congregación de Hermanos Cristianos. Región Latinoamérica – Revista LATAM.

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