Projects Category

PARAGUAY, Dequeni Jubilee Magazine • Dequení is 30 years old, and throughout its history, four presidents have led its board of directors: Alberto Sallustro, Alberto Gross Brown, Fernando Talavera, and Beltrán Macchi. This is a special time; Dequení invited them to a meeting with the children at the Casa de Acogida [The House of Welcome], and they shared their feelings and experiences. They are businessmen, but at Dequení, they are first and foremost volunteers. Alberto Sallustro is the president of Sallustro y Cia. “I have five children, ten grandchildren, andRead More
PARAGUAY, 100 solidarity houses, by Ani Souberlich and Maria Fischer • “To see your faces, your children, your elderly, and to hear about your experiences and everything you went through to be here, to have a dignified life and a roof over your heads, to endure the bad weather and the flooding of these last few weeks… All this makes me think of the little family of Bethlehem. Your struggles have not taken away your laughter, your joy and your hope. Struggles which have not lessened your sense of solidarityRead More
PARAGUAY, Roberto D. González Brizuela, member of the “Mary’s Visitation” Prison Ministry • It is impossible to describe everything I’ve experienced over the last two months at the Itauguá Educational Centre (CEI) with Fr. Pedro, the detainees, and all those who go every Saturday (and other days if possible). For me, from the first day that I set foot at the centre, I was deeply affected, deeply in the sense that in the most unexpected place, and I would never have imagined it, I would find happiness, I would goRead More
PARAGUAY, Ismelda Vázquez, “Splendour of Tabor” Circle 36 of the Family Work in San Lorenzo, and member of the “Mary’s Visitation” prison ministry • One Sunday. Mass at Tupãrenda celebrated by Fr. Pedro Kühlcke. At the end of Mass, Fr. Pedro told us a bit about the Prison Ministry at C.E.I (Itauguá Educational Centre, a penitentiary for minors) and invited the community to participate, in the way that only he knows how. I felt that the message was for me and that it was an opportunity to help with whatRead More
GERMANY, Gertrud and Norbert Jehle • After two years, the couples of the ninth course of Family Facilitators from Bavaria finished their studies. They received their diploma in a memorable sending-forth ceremony. One of the couples, receiving a diploma, began their activity in a home delivery dialogue with their favorite subject, “To Create Something Together.” The Synod of Bishops, which will be held in September, will be a real challenge for the Church. Couples and families interested in this field are needed to give witness. Contact your diocese if youRead More
BRAZIL, Francisco Jales Junior • On Sunday 26 July, the first diocesan meeting of the Men’s Rosary in Jandius, in Rio Grande do Norte was held. The morning-long programme brought together hundreds of men and their families from various neighbouring municipalities. This is a regular event in the Men’s Rosary annual programme in Santa Luiza de Mossoró Diocese, which holds a diocesan meeting every two months in the towns that falling within the diocese. The diocesan coordinating team fulfilled their aim, bringing together more than 600 men at the MunicipalRead More
PARAGUAY, by María Fischer, with Fr. Pedro Kühlcke • “After having read the Gospel, Orlando drew closer to greet me and told me: ‘I ask you to pray for the freedom of each one of us, of everyone.’ This is the blessing that Orlando asked for each of us. This is the blessing that we now ask together: freedom.” This is how Pope Francis began the most spontaneous speech of his trip through South America on Sunday 12 July. “Orlando, the youth that made the Pope change his speech,” wereRead More
PARAGUAY, Diocese of Encarnación, Rodolfo and Julia Widmann • Since we learned about the “Pastoral de la Esperanza”, Ministry of Hope, in October, 2008, our desire for this directive to reach the Diocese of Encarnación has never diminished. It was officially established in April, 2009. The support of Fr. Gilberto Penayo, the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, at that time, and that of the couples, who gave their unconditional “Yes” to the great mission that Saint John Paul II indicated in section Nº 84 of his Encyclical (1981) Familiaris Consortio,Read More
PARAGUAY, by Ricardo Franco • 1985, Father Joseph Kentenich’s 100th birthday was a significant date for the Boys and Girls Youth Groups of the Schoenstatt Movement. Restlessness was born when we recalled the many gifts that we had received during this time. What could we give our Father and Founder for his 100th birthday? It was time to act and to share that life that we received from Father Kentenich. We found the response to our restlessness in a phrase written by Father Kentenich: “In the e centennial year, (thereRead More
AUSTRIA, Ingrid and Alois Neuhauser • The opening of the first Austrian Marriage Camino took place at Obritzberg, St Poelten Diocese, on 28 June. About four hundred people, among them families from the neighbouring dioceses of Vienna, Linz, Graz and even Hungary and the Czech Republic, came to share in a joyful celebration of marriage and the family. After the family Mass, prepared by the Schoenstatt families, nourishment for body and soul was served in the parish courtyard. The children enjoyed themselves with games in the parish garden. Special highlightsRead More