Connecting with Associates in Brazil
Dear Christine Milner and USA associates!
We are on the eve of a new year, and I want to wish you, all your family, associates and sisters in the USA a new year filled with health, peace and much wisdom. United with the whole Church in the Jubilee Year which has as its theme: Pilgrims of Hope, one of the pillars of our charism. It will also be a year of preparation for the 2025 Chapter. Let us continue to be united in the struggle for non-violence and in the search for a world of peace, love and hope. I was very pleased to receive the email from member Janet Nadeau.
Many blessings and Happy 2025.
Photos from recent fall retreat in Brazil follow.
Brazil Associates' Retreat in November 2024
From Givaldo:
" I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the very rich moment we experienced this month, from November 15 to 17, when we associates and sisters participated in a strong moment of spirituality. It was our retreat. We did it in two states at the same time. In Maranhão, with the associates of that region, the theme was Pope Francis Fratelly Tutii's letter on Social Friendship, and in Maceió, bringing together the other states with the theme: Marian Spirituality - Pilgrims of Hope, already in tune with the jubilee year of 2025. The monk João Batista advised our retreat. It was a rich moment of prayer, reflection, strengthening of faith and commitment to our brothers".
Brazil ASASV Gathering on September 9, 2023
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Hello Chistine Milner!
It is always a great joy to hear from you and to share with the sisters and associates here in Brazil. In the month of April we had a very good experience with the visit of the Councillor Sister Monique. She visited all the sisters and associates in Brazil. It was in all four states. It was a very rich moment full of joy and renewal of hope. I am sending some photos of these moments.
I wish you, sisters and other associates, a lot of Faith in Providence, joy and hope.
Fraternally
Givaldo Pinheiro
Dear Christine,
How are you? How is Easter? Our dear Sr. Janice Belanger arrived last April 20th here in Brazil. She participated the next day in our associates' meeting here in Maceió/Alagoas. It was very nice to meet her and to hear from you. We were very happy. Carmen Lúcia's birthday, together with our associate Ademia. It was a wonderful evening.
We are receiving from today, the President of UNANIMA for a visit, we will have at least three very important moments:
> The visit through the neighborhoods that were destroyed by the Brasken Mining Company, including some associates and Sr. Carmen Lúcia had to leave these neighborhoods because of the sinking of the soil. There will be a time for a conversation with a community neighboring these neighborhoods where many associates still reside.
> There will also be a visit to the Thalita Project - an NGO that we coordinate and work with children, young people and women in very vulnerable situations.
> And he will present the Woman of Courage Award to Maria José, a fighter for land and work in the settlement called Flor do Bosque.
All this will be accompanied by our Sister Janice who will do the translation.
May God bless us all and illuminate our journey.
Fraternal Greetings!
Givaldo
UNANIMA International’s
Woman of Courage 2021
Maria-José Cavalcante
Flor do Bosque – Alagoas, Brazil
Givaldo contributed a reflection this year in our annual Advent book:
PROGRESS in our efforts to connect with our Brazilian Associates include a Zoom session at our October 30, 2021 retreat. Pictured above are (clockwise) Givaldo Pinheiro, Director of Associates in Brazil, Sr. Janice Belanger, translator, and Sr. Carmen Lucia dos Santos, newly elected to Congregational Leadership team.
Connecting with Associates in Brazil!
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« Just a dream » right now...but this email is a first step toward what we hope can be regular communication and sharing between USA and Brazil associates via our website and Deepl Translate!
