Teaching Parents and Children in Rio dos Bois
Sr. Valdeci (top) and Sr. Paz (left) teach parenting skills and catechism to parents and children. Mission Society monthly funding and a 2018 grant supports our Sisters’ children’s pastoral care program.

Building Community in Brazil

“I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what you are to do.” – St. Francis of Assisi

By Laura Whitford, President, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Summer 2019

If you spend time with Franciscans, at some point you will probably hear them say, “I did what was mine to do.” This common phrase is taken from St. Francis’ deathbed quote. Our Sisters begin and end ministries in different areas based on the needs of the people. As part of this process, they work with local people to develop community leaders and programs that will continue after they leave.

Last year, our Sisters closed a small convent they had in Goianorte in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. Our Sisters were the first ones to offer health care in the town. For almost 20 years, they worked with the local people to develop a health care clinic, which the Mission Society had supported over the years. The government decided that it could better manage health care in the state and built a new clinic in town.

When I visited in late 2017, the Sisters’ clinic had recently closed. This saddened me, but Sr. Valdete said, “I did what was mine to do. I took care of my part. I embraced the people of Goianorte.” She felt it was the government’s responsibility to administer health care. She continued to visit new mothers and their babies (right) and give advice until she moved.

Last year our Sisters started a new ministry in Rio dos Bois, Tocantins at the local bishop’s request because much help was needed in this area. Sr. Maria da Paz “Paz” de Jesus and Sr. Valdeci Ribeiro da Silva have been working closely with about 250 adults, young people and children in seven rural and urban communities in the Miracema diocese. They help develop leadership—in the community, in the church and in their own homes—and focus on living the Gospel in human and fraternal relations.

Mission Society ongoing support of $100/month supports assistance to local families in need (see photo below) in the form of food and fuel to reach settlements in remote areas, as well as training materials and snacks for Bible study, the Children’s Pastoral program (see photo below), youth groups and other leadership programs. A 2018 grant for $5,000 also assisted with the start up of these leadership programs.

For this year’s Raffle appeal, please consider giving in support of our Sisters’ foreign missionary work. Every month we send $800 to Bolivia, $1,800 to Brazil and $1,800 to Jamaica to help with food, medicine and education.

May Christ reveal what is “yours to do,”
Laura

Please consider supporting our Sisters’ Foreign Missions:

• Print the appeal HERE, with raffle tickets, and return before September 6, 2019 for a chance to win $500/first prize; $200/second prize; or $100/third prize.
• Donate HERE