PARAGUAY, Antonia Delvalle C./ABCcolor. A total of forty-five residents from Itauguá Educational Center for minor offenders received baptismal waters yesterday, within the framework of a Eucharistic celebration by priests of the Schoenstatt Movement.
Many relatives of the baptized minors came to the institution, located at Km 27, 5 of Route II.
Father Pedro
During the ceremony, Father Kuehlcke from the Schoenstatt Penitential Pastoral said that if they are deprived from their freedom because of bad conduct, they have the opportunity to move forward with the trades they learn to live a dignified life after they leave this correctional school.
The first ceremony was held in the morning, with the presence of the Minister of Work and Justice, Sheila Abed, as well as other national authorities. On this occasion, twenty-two youngsters were baptized. Another religious ceremony was held at 1:30 p.m.
Father Pedro, from Germany, who was in charge of the afternoon baptism, told the youngsters that not everything was lost. On the contrary, upon accepting Jesus they took a positive step, so that upon making a commitment, they can change forever.
As an example of the good things that they can do, he showed two wooden chairs made in the carpentry shop at correctional institution. They also replaced the roof of the center; and they were paid for their work.
Fuente: ABCcolor, Paraguay. Por cortesía de la redacción de ABCcolor.
Father Antonio Cosp, Director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Paraguay, added:
“It is a pastoral program lead by Tuparenda with a creative social result. This week, Father Pedro Kuehlcke was named chaplain of this correctional institution with many serious problems.”
Original in Spanish. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
