NEWS OF MARCH

 
General Curia  Our Lady of Assumption Province (Spain, Ecuador, India, Colombia) Sant Anne Province
(Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Benin)
Our Lady of Loreto Province
(France
)
 Our Lady of Loreto Province
 (Italy - Mexico)
 Viceprovincia "Nuestra Señora Aparecida"  
(Brasil
)
 
 Our Lady of Esperanza
(Uruguay-Argentina)
  Our Lady of Esperanza
Uruguay-Argentina)
  Philippines
 

*  In oratione, labore et caritate: PAX

 

 

 

 General  Curia (Rome 

* March 1: With the arrival of spring some disasters appeared caused by the freezing February. In particular lemons have been those which have suffered the most.
* On 11, at the "Teresianum" the community has made its retreat in preparation for Easter. Animated by Father Eduardo Sanz De Miguel who has dealt with the theme "The Spiritual Journey of St. John of the Cross."

* Bro. Lino has been animating the preparation of the General Chapter of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Penne. In return, he has been our guest for a couple of days.

* In the IOR (Vatican) on 27 it was held the second information meeting on the economic situation globally and locally. Important clarifications on some biased news from newspapers.

* The first meeting of the new Parish Pastoral Council took place on 29. Members of this are: as a representative of the male Religious, Brother Carlo, while the representative of the female Religious has been Sister Luigina Coccia, our neighbour.

* A number of the faithful many more than previous years, on 30 participated in the "Via Crucis" through the streets of the neighbourhood.
 

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Our Lady of Loreto Province (France - Italy - Mexico)


France

 

* Saturday March 24: At Belley, training day for the Brothers of France, animated by Brother Theodore with the theme: The Lineamenta for "new evangelization" of the prologue to the Synod of Bishops.

* Monday March 26, meeting of the provincial council: our Italian Brothers returned the same day.

* March 9-31: The SAFA education establishments, such is the theme in a session attended by Spanish, Italian, French (a total of 20 teachers). The last day, participants made the "Route of the Founder"

* The session, mourning for the death of Brother Theodore's mother, back from Spain on Thursday.

* At Metz-Tessy, diocese of Annecy, the Church moves: a report of Brother Michel Bois. The diocese of Annecy is committed since October 2011 in a synod approach launched by our bishop, Bishop Boivineau through a letter entitled: Times are new: three challenges: Proclaiming the Gospel, how? Proximity, Animation of our Christian communities. This Synod approach will end with a diocesan meeting on October 14, 2012 in which our bishop will provide further guidance pastoral.


Italy & Mexico

 

* A large number of people have gathered in Villa Brea to hear the testimonies of the seer Marija of Medjugorje. Three hundred of those present also expressed their willingness to financially assist the construction of shelter for the pilgrims who would come near the house of Marija in Medjugorje.

* The "course in Christianity" of Imperia-Albenga Diocese, Wednesday 7, started its lessons in St Domenic Convent (Taggia). Given the large number of participants the Brothers have had to make available the entire convent.

At 17.00 Brother Mariano has returned to the Shrine to Our Lady of Guard Hill, site of the former residence of the Brothers, to animate the hour of worship, because the devotees have requested to recover his accompaniment and the priest has recovered to the keys of the sanctuary to the Brothers.

* In the College of Turin on 9 has been inaugurated the exhibition: "The book in the centuries."

The exhibition, assisted by the boys of "AnimaSaFa" and in particular Fogliato Andrea, is an exhibition route divided by centuries of news from 1500 with some precious volumes of Manuzio to the latest technological innovation, the e-book. This was held in some premises of the School, from the parlour to the library, where were these particular books with bindings and restoration processes.

The exhibition has been open until March 23.

* Sunday 11, at "Family School" of Tijuana, representing various religious communities have joined to thank and greet the diocesan vicar of religious life, among Juan Maria Huerta, a Franciscan, elected bishop of the prelature of El Salto, in the state of Durango. It was a nice afternoon of brotherhood, which may signal a reference point for subsequent encounters between male religious communities of the city.

* On 15, at the end of the demonstrations by the 150 years of Italian unity, in the theatre hall of the Parish Sant'Anna, the SF School of Turin has offered a show title: Revival of comics. The show enters the world of comics, where the actors interact with the drawings and become part of history.

* From 24, the movement of pilgrims and tourists to the Convent of St Domenic of Taggia has intensified. Many also come from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna and some from France and other European countries...

* Thursday 29, five teachers from various schools of the School SF of Turin, accompanied by Brother Mauro, have gathered in Belley, where with other teachers from our schools in France and Spain, participated in a short Taborinian course. 

 

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 Our Lady of Esperanza (Uruguay-Argentina)

* On 19 and 20 March, coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph and a new anniversary of the arrival of the Brothers to the Rio de la Plata, the provincial council held its regular meeting in Santa Maria de Catamarca. On the journey the Council came in St. Lucia, as the road to St. Mary passes in front. On the first occasion, Sunday being simply observed the progress of the construction of the facilities of the work and in return was able to greet members of the Animating Community and new students.
* The Brothers Scholastics began courses in the Cefyt, which introduces new curriculum. They do not do all subjects since some have already been passed. This is positive for the objectives of this first year of scholasticate. Other trainees regularly participate in classes of Emmaus Institute which brings together some 50 trainees from various congregations and has comfortable seat of the so-called "crystal palace".
* The Provincial Council has appointed Brother Jose Sanchez Mamerto as responsible for the Scholastics, in accordance with art. 211 b of the Constitutions.
* Brother Miguel Vargas is already participating in the International Trainers Course in Chile, sponsored by the CONFERRE and in this year, brings together trainers from nine different countries. The accommodation is in the house of the Lasalle Brothers which provides a valued community setting close to our lifestyle. The length of the course is until 14 December.
* From 1 to 4 March 2012 held at the annual meeting Campanero "Home & Workshop" aimed at leaders and members of youth groups SAFA Uruguay. The aim of the camp is to experience two specific aspects of our spirituality: prayer (home) and manual work (workshop). This year was focused on the family since the year 2012 has been declared by the Archdiocese of Montevideo Year of the Family under the theme: "Family, Heritage of Humanity". 47 kids gathered from the schools in San Jose, Canelones, Pocitos Aguada and Mines.
* The annual meeting of Fraternity and Brothers was held in San Jose on Saturday 17. In the morning the Deacon Fernando Rossi, of the Fraternity of Salto, presented in a clear and compelling features of the Gospel of Mark. It culminated with a Mass in the courtyard of the College, presided by the diocesan Bishop Arturo Fajardo.
* In Santa Rosa on Sunday 25, with an elegant celebration of the Eucharist, in a beautiful parish church full of worshipers, was inaugurated the centenary of the College of Santa Rosa Salvador entrusted to the Brothers in 1912 where they remained until 1939. Brother Adelsio Delfabro, coming especially from Tandil, at the invitation of the priest, in front of a large group of people estimated at some 200, offered for nearly one hour a few strokes of the history of the College as from a monitor images of the time were shown. The College of Salvador was the first presence of the Congregation in Cordoba. A total of 56 Brothers went through that community.
 

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Our Lady of Assumption Province (Spain, Ecuador, India, Colombia)

 

Spain

 

* On 10 and 11 March was held the National Assembly of Associations of Parents of our schools in Gava. The study topic this time was the Institute's Education Project recently approved. Safa Spain Awards also were given on this occasion centred in the Year of the Brother. The atmosphere that prevailed among the 50 participants was once again the spirit of family.

* The last week of March, 10 lay teachers and Bro. Gabriel Sanz travelled to Belley to participate in a meeting with teachers in our schools in France and Italy. The theme also focused on the Educational Project but the important thing was the ambience in the sources: Brother Gabriel, his pedagogy, Taborinian places... All helped in the experience.

* Visit of the Superior General and Provincial to the Communities of the Province. In this March has been carried out visits to the communities of Barcelona, ​​Barcelona Torre, Gava, Palma de Mallorca, Navaluenga and La Horra. On 25 they travelled to India to visit the two communities of this nation.

* We have continued during the month of March in preparation for the Provincial Chapter and it has been published a brochure in which content is presented to reflect on "Being Safa Family humanizing and evangelizing." It has been sent to Brothers, teachers, catechists, members of Nazarene Fraternities and members of the Parent Associations. All are invited to answer two questions to prepare the study material to be present in the Chapter.

 

Colombia

 

* H. Carlos moved on Sunday March 8 at the Diocese of Ocaña to perform the work of vocation promotion for one week. This time he was accompanied by a Mercedarian Brother and a Guanellian Father: teamwork.

* Day 12, Monday We received the visit in our parish of St. Joseph the pastoral vicar in our area: Fr. Mauricio Rincon. In the afternoon we had the whole community a meeting with him and the priest, where we review the life of the parish and the work of the Brothers in it.

* The community spent on 20 afternoon to the review of the life of the community and the Community Lenten plan. At night we closed with a communal celebration of penance.

* The weekend of 24 and 25, four young people in vocational discernment, following the vocation promotion plan of the community, including "in-depth meetings", did a little experience for reflection and community.

* Some members of the community participated on 28 in the Chrism Mass at the cathedral where each parish also has presented to the Bishop the pastoral plan. And on Friday, 30, the community involved in the Way of the Cross that the "Ministry of crowds" of the archdiocese organized by the city streets.

* Brothers Carlos and Ivan are animating the parish youth group of the parish. They have already carried out various activities of prayer, walks, feeding the beggars... and every week: selling pies at the end of the Mass of Sunday nitht to raise funds for group activities. They use the local facilities of our house for activities.

 

Ecuador
 

India

 

* Days 12 to 17. The novices and postulants make their spiritual exercises in preparation for the religious profession and for entry into the novitiate. It is directed by Capuchin Fr. Georgy dean of the faculty of theology close to our community of Eluru. The place is the "Foyer de la Charité" in Nirmalagiri, next to the main centre of pilgrimage in the diocese.

* 24. The Provincial Council admits to the novitiate 11 postulants: Andrews, Tigga Anil, Ashok Kerketta, Menson Raj Dias, Mariya Johnson, Praphul Guria, Melkis Theeban Prathap, Arockia Raj Kumar, Ravikant Ekka, Soosai, Lankas Valan Arther.

* 24 to 26. We received the visit of the Calasanz Sisters: Carmen (from Spain) and Sandra (from Argentina). They arrived a few years ago and opened two communities in Jharkhand.
* On 27. Our Superior General and our Provincial begin their visit to the community of Madurai. They spend most of the time to share the life of the community and direct: meditations, talks, meetings and above all personal interviews with each of the 19 Brothers of the Community, all in a fraternal atmosphere that the Brothers appreciate gratefully.

 

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Saint Anne Province (Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Benin)

 

8
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Vice Province of Our Lady Aparecida (Brazil)
 

* On 24 and 25 March it was held in the community Itapiranga-SC a meeting of on-going Formation of the Brothers. There were 10 out of the 12 Brothers of the Vice Province participating in the study and reflection of the document: "The links that bind us in Jesus, Mary and Joseph: SAFA Family Spirituality," as main theme. Apart from training, the meeting was an opportunity to live together as Brothers, fundamental to the unity.
* On March 31 it was held at the home of the Brothers of Ibema / PR a retreat for a group of 19 students about 14-16 years of the College of the Holy Family with the topic: "In Paths to Nazareth," coordinated by the group of Brothers and the Ibema Nazarene Fraternity. The closing of the retreat occurred on the afternoon of Sunday on 01 April.

 

 


Indonesia

 

* Completed the process of registration of the newly acquired land and once obtained the appropriate permits we have been able to begin construction of the future formation house. Work is already on the fence that will protect the property and the foundations of buildings that will lodge the community and different groups of trainees. The work should be completed in August 2013, the month in which the lease expires the current formation house.

* On March 28 Brother Jimmy Amman came to Maumere, from India, where he has been collaborating with the Brothers who work in that country. He will spend two months helping the community in educational tasks and vocation promotion. At the end of this month he will travel to Timor-Leste for a new visa and to live another month in Indonesia. Completion thereof will return to India to continue the mission there has been entrusted to him.

 

 
Philippines
 

* Two events have characterized the month of March: the one concerning the search and vocational training and the second the closing of the school year in GTCD.
* Bro. Edgardo has worked in the vocational promotion during these months and twenty children should participate in the meeting held during the Holy Week with the aim of assessing the candidates for future aspirants for the upcoming school year.
- On the formation of candidates for Consecrated Life there is 'a novelty': formators have come together to write a program which insists on that in Postulancy must prevail over the human and psychological, while the Novitiate is more suited to a strictly religious training.
* The GTCD school has finished its courses and on March 25 there were delivered diplomas (graduation) to 120 students. Then, for teachers there has been a day of reflection and a two-day sightseeing tour