POST-NOVITIATE, COLOMBIA
At this time, we are well, thank God. We are all inside due to a departmental, and now a national quarantine until April 13. The student Brothers continue their classes online.
So far there are no reports of family members with the virus. We are limiting access to the house. For this reason, the employees are in their homes, and we have assumed responsibilities for the upkeep of the house and food preparation.
Rafaela who is an employee with a fixed contract and the others who contract their services (psychologist, music, Augusto) will continue to be paid according to their contracts in order to help them during this crisis.
Only the Custodian can leave the house to do shopping when it is necessary. As a matter of fact, only one person per family can go out shopping depending on the last number of their ID. We are very grateful to our benefactors who allow us to be so generous with our personnel who help us in the house. We express our gratitude and affection to all our benefactors for their attention. In this crisis, we value their great generosity.
GUAMAL
We in the cenacle at the Guamal mission are well. We pray together each day and celebrate Mass with the community. On Sundays, the Mass is transmitted by internet and radio. In addition, we have begun radio programs on a community station at 6:00 a.m. “Walking with Jesus,” with lay participation, we reflect on the day’s Gospel reading. At 5:30 p.m., “Preserving the Faith.” Each day, an ST shares a topic on formation in the faith, spiritual and human growth. “Tips for Mental and Spiritual Health”: During the day, different brief reflections for living in these times of isolation in an optimistic way are transmitted. They are a maximum of 2 minutes long, done by professionals in the fields of health, spirituality, psychology, sociology, and pedagogy who have previously shared their reflections with us. And, of course, we invite STs also.
This is a time of great creativity for all of us with new challenges in evangelization. In social terms, with the obligatory measures of social isolation, there is a lot of uncertainty on the horizon for many of our people who participate in the informal economy, struggling to maintain themselves. We are looking for and sharing vital provisions. Prices have increased a great deal.
Many people come to the door to ask for help, and in the coming days, many more will come. We are attentive to the national and local governments’ initiatives to assist the needy with food. There is still nothing definite yet. Many people are searching for help in different places: city hall, the church, businesses.
We are trying to work with public employees as much as we can because the mayor of Guamal is a little aloof, perhaps because he is not Catholic. The aide that we provide is for the most vulnerable people (the aging, handicapped and mothers who are the head of the household), but we need to continue to find more help for people who will be hungry because they cannot work. Our notion is not to aid just to help. We help with a strategy and a sense of responsibility with the restrictions that the confinement orders impose on all of us. We give aid at the proper time and according to our possibilities.
Bill Coen says
Really informative and uplifting. An excellent way for me (an older Anglo) to keep up with the inspiring dedication of my younger Hispanic Brothers. Please keep this feature active. Include pictures with names if possible. Many thanks. Bill Coen