RSCM GENERALATE

February 2010
SHM Novitiate

IRANETE's Apostolic Experience in Serra - ES

I, Iranete Lucas,

did my Apostolic Experience in the RSHM Community of Laranjeiras, Serra, near Vitória in the State of Espírito Santo. The community, made up of Sisters Cláudia Falçoni, Duza Marques, Audília da Cunha and Lucilene de Oliveira, welcomed me with great joy and enthusiasm. It was very important for me to have the experience of community prayer and retreats (which were prepared in a way to help prayer and interiorisation), meetings and informal sharings, times of leisure...

Clearly, in the beginning, it was a moment of adaptation in the community and in the Projeto Vida Pe. Gailhac, where I was inserted, which is situated in another locale - Jardim Carapina.

The Project offers many opportunities to the children and adolescents and they enjoy everything which is provided for them there - through various workshops such as capoeira, dance, theatre, music, care of self and the earth, art, and teaching (school support). I worked with one of the monitors in this last area. I collaborated much in helping a new boy who had joined the Project. He was very intelligent but needed to develop a will to study. It was a great sadness that after two months the family of Estêvão opted to take him out of the Project.

I learned much with the children and adolescents as well as with all the workers and volunteers who give their lives for the good of all the children.

Even though in the beginning my insertion in the project had been a little difficult, at the end I was almost not able to leave it, havinqg cretaed many bonds and friendships. I liked it very much!!!

I was able also to participate in the local RSHM Extended Family Group in which I perceived a great love for our founders.

I liked to participate in the local parish community of Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora where I joined the singing group. I was touched especially by the active participation of the women in the celebrations of the Word in this community.

I also participated in the Círculos Bíblicos which were held in the houses of the participants, where I learned to welcome people and allow myself to be welcomed by them.

I participated in the youth JPIC of the RSHM College of Maria de Vitoria and I was impressed by the lovely work of the sisters and the commitment of the pupils, workers and teachers in relation to the necessity of caring for creation, as well as the awakening in the area of trafficking of women and children.

I spent a few days with the sisters of the RSHM community situated beside the College. The community is very joyful and welcoming and is dedicated to caring for the sick and elderly sisters who have given much to the Institute throughout their lives. I got to know also the Centro Missionário, where a group of women, sisters and laywomen, make artistic things to sell to support ‘Menor Carnete’. The Centro Missionário was founded by one of the sisters of this community, Ir Regina, and I had the privilege to meet and chat with her. She is now 102 years old and cannot do the works but she has a ‘divine’ memory!!!

There were good moments living in a Brazilian community and having more contact with the reality of this people.

I fell that I grew as a Christian and as an RSHM novice experiencing the mission to give abundant life to all.