Final Days in Brazil

On Friday, we traveled by bus from Uberlandia to Goiania arriving around 6:30 pm.

Sister Mary Ann Mayer boarding the bus

On Saturday we visited the cemetery where Sisters Katherine Popowich and Suzanne Wills are buried and said a prayer.

Later that day we went to a housing project, Pastoral de Moradia (Housing Pastoral), in Sister Maria Jose's community. The pictures show the laying of the foundation of a small house that they are building for a man who is now renting. 

                                              
                                                   Sister Maria Jose with some of the workmen

On Sunday we celebrated with Sister Maria Jose's community in the morning and with Sister Maureen's community at night. 

    

                                             Sister Maria Jose's community church celebration

                                            Sister Maureen's community church celebration

Following the celebrations, we all went out for pizza to celebrate our last night in Brazil.

Later that evening, we took part in a tradition the Sisters in Brazil have by remembering and sharing memories of the Sisters who have died during the year. 

Trip to the Countryside

On Thursday, May 3 we took a morning trip to the countryside to visit one of the assentamentos (settlements) near Uberlandia. It is called Assentamento Patiencia. It has been here about 10 years since their struggle to gain the land. Alan, a seminarian, drove us. We visited the house of Gleide.

Arriving at the farmhouse

Small farmhouse

Alan, Gleide, and Sisters Marlena and Marilyn on the porch

Group looking at the pigs 

Sister Mary Ann looking at the pigs

Celebrating St. Joseph the Worker

On Tuesday, May 1, the community of St. Joseph the Worker celebrated 50 years of its founding. The Oblate Fathers and Sisters of St. Joseph joined with the people in Cidade Industrial to begin this church community in 1968. Principal among them were then Father John Joe O'Connell and sister of St. Joseph, Deana Sarkis. (John Joe and Deana are now married and live and work in Brazil.) Others of our Sisters worked there including Sister Virginia Schmitz. All were recognized for their work among the people. 

Sisters Marlena and Ireny before Mass 

Men preparing to carry St. Joseph in procession after the Mass

Processing back into the church after procession as people throw rose petals

Deana and John Joe O' Connell holding the original statue of St. Joseph with 

Sisters Mary Ann and Marilyn and members of the community 

SSJ Associates Commitment Ceremony

On Sunday the meeting resumed at 8:30 am, broke for lunch and then continued until about 4 pm. That night we went to Jesus of Nazareth church for Mass and the commitment ceremony of 15 new SSJ Associates. This was the community where Sister Katherine Popowich participated and so a picture of her was on display for the ceremony and the 50 year anniversary banner. This church also has the stations of the cross from Nazareth Convent.

Outside of church

                       Sister Jean Bellini giving homily    Banner and Sister Katherine Display

New Associates with some of the Sisters

On Monday we met from 9:00 to about 5 or 5:30. At night some watched the movie Mama Mia on Netflix. Today, Tuesday, we started at 8:00 and finished at 10:30. We're finishing lunch now and then Marilyn and I will accompany Marlena and Ireny to Uberlandia.

Preparing for the Regional Meeting

Marlena and Ireny arrive in Goiania for our regional meeting. Time to prepare the meal.

Chris is hard at work making a refreshing orange drink. Maureen is assisting and enjoying the results!

Visiting a Catholic Church in Baliza

We returned to Baliza after visiting the rural settlement. St. Sebastian Church located on the town square, up two steep blocks from the sisters' house. We attended evening mass. We were warmly welcomed and Mary Ann gave a short response to the community gathered.

Trip to Baliza Goiás

On Wednesday, April 26, we began our journey to visit Sisters Ellen Kuhl and Anne Marvin in Baliza Goiás. We left Goiania at 7:30 am by bus to a little town called Doverlandia. We arrived there at 3 pm and happily found Ellen and Anne waiting for us. Then we went by car to the assessamento (settlement) where they work. The countryside and sky were beautiful as we drove almost an hour on red clay roads.

Sister Anne Marvin in the kitchen

Sister Ellen Kuhl welcoming Sister Marilyn Pray

We met another member of their community, Irma Caterina, and stayed at the new support house that was built this past year for the times they stay here. Later today we'll go to Baliza which is another 1.5 hours away.

Sister Marilyn and Irma Caterina harvesting sweet potatoes

The plant that loofas come from