PARAGUAY, Última Hora.On July 27th, the Worldwide Crusade of Friendship distinguished Bishop Catalino Claudio Giménez Medina, bishop of Caacupé, at the end of the Mass in the National Shrine of Caácupé. “Bishop Claudio Giménez – a member of the Schoenstatt Fathers – promotes the value of friendship in Caacupé’s Sunday Masses,” they emphasized.
The Friend of the Year was born in Puerto Pinasco on November 25, 1940. Seventeen years and eight months later, in the same city of Chaco, Doctor Artemio Bracho created Friendship Day.
During the ceremony of distinction, the bishop who presides at the Paraguayan Episcopal Conference (CEP Spanish acronym) expressed gratitude that he was considered, and he emphasized the importance of friendship in personal interactions, like Jesus, “our very close friend.”
Artemio Bracho commented that the recognition made Bishop Claudio Giménez very happy, he even invited the members of the Worldwide Crusade of Friendship to his home for a “delicious breakfast.”
The Worldwide Crusade chose him as the Friend of the Year because of his path, his good behavior as a priest and bishop and “his exemplary life,” Bracho explained.
July 30th: International Friendship Day
History– On July 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations set July 30th as International Friendship Day.
This date is indelible for Bracho and for thousands of Paraguayans. “On this day, the day was established by 192 votes, it was unanimous. “Chemo py’a pirî upéa,” Bracho said, describing his emotion in Guaraní.
Yesterday, the promoter of Friendship Day again urged all the Paraguayans to learn to live in friendship. “We are tired of so much death, accidents, of so many atrocities that occur in our country, where in reality we cannot live.”
The recipe of the Friendship Crusade’s president for experiencing Wednesday, July 30th, is simple: “give love,” before so many disagreements that separate men/women. Several celebrations were scheduled for Friendship Day.
Source: Diario Ultima Hora-Paraguay.
Sent by Ramón Marini, Paraguay
Congratulations, Bishop Claudio, on behalf of the editorial team and the users of schoenstatt.org and a Happy (belated) Friendship Day to all of our friends.
And…who is your Friend of the Year?
Original Spanish: Translation Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
