SHINING STARS IN SALVADOR

An enthusiastic group of committed sisters are excelling in their English! Congratulations on a fruitful Intensive English Course III!

IMAGINATION & ART IN SALVADOR

The sisters in Salvador used their wild imaginations and the inspiration of Monica Stewart's art, to create stories of their own during the English Intensive Course, 2008 at Dom Amando Convent. Take a look at their creations.

L S H F

Written by Sr. Silvia -- Salvador Province

They lived on a mysterious mountain
In a land dwelt in by the gods of beauty
A garden where all colors came from.

Lightness, Sweetness, Harmony and Freedom
Dreamed about making the world their dwelling place.

All gods helped them dance together
And drops of lightness, sweetness, harmony and freedom
Spread from place to place.

The world became a sanctuary
Where love could flow from heart to heart.

THE LADIES

Written by Sr. Marta, Sr. Marcia, Sr. Edilene and Sr. Lúcia -- Salvador Province

The ladies lived in different countries. The blue-dress woamn was Japanese. The yellow-dress woman was Australian Aboriginal and the white-dress woman was African. These women represented Earth, Water, Fire and Sun. They were dancing in the mountains of the Philippines.

The women were celebrating their lives, diverse cultures and praising God. The women returned, each one to their own country, with cultural riches.

THE FOUR YOUNG FRIENDS

Written by Sr. Leonilda, Sr. Pureza, Sr. Rosivonete, Sr. Nelisia and Sr. Pacis

Once upon a time four lady students liked to dance at the University in Aracaju. They were from Brazil, Philippines, Angola and Mexico. Their names were Sheila, Thais, Dayane and Karen. They were friends and discovered their talents and danced very well. They danced together at the birthday and Christmas party, of their families. They were celebrating life. They praised God on this special day.

My Lord, My Refuge

Written by Maria Marta Milanez -- Salvador Province

And you in silence, wait Lord. Hear my voice.
Keep in perfect peace, my heart.
Lord, they come to you in distress and I, in search of you.
O Lord, I have taken refuge in you day and night.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.
For you have been my refuge.
On my bed, I remember you, because you are my help.
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge and you are always with me.
Amen

The Arrival of the Cross

Written by Sr. Maria Marta Milanez -- Salvador Province

The Cross of Sao Damiao arrived at the community in the Hospital of Sao Jose. On May 21, 2008, each sister at the hospital in Sao Jose in Aracaju, Sergipe had a cross of San Damiano in their hand, in commemoration of 800 years of Fransciscanism in Brazil.

The sisters of the congregation offered good advice to bring a cross and the Holy Bible to our community in the form of a procession. Aftr the procession, the sisters and employees of the hospital went for a walk around the chapel and hospital. With a lot of love, the sisters told the story of the San Damiano cross.

The celebration was beautiful. It reminded us of the way Saint Francis was surprised when he prayed infront of the crucifix and Christ said to him, "Build my church, brother." Sain Francis faced many difficulties. But like Saint Francis, I have Christ in my heart to overcome the turbulence of life. With a lot of faith and steadiness of the Spirit, the Lord relives in us, teh dream of Saint Francis and Clara of Assisi.

My Experience with Senior Sisters

Written by Sr. Maria Lúcia Dias Romualdo -- Salvador Province

On 16 March 2008, I arrived in Itabaiana to collaborate with Our Lady of Lourdes Community where there are 8 dependent Senior Sisters; I intended to stay there until 29 June 2008.

It was a good experience! I could feel strong compassion, watching out for their necessities and the senior Sisters showed me their fragility, due to their age.

One thing attracted my attention! We are not prepared to get old. "The Third Age" or aging requires acceptance of our own limitations and letting God bless us. The “Third Age” is a process of transcendence, thanks, prayer and acceptance says St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 9b-10.

Thank God for this opportunity to notice how I have to work on myself to be prepared for the “Third Age" -- becoming a better person, without resentment and sorrow; accepting my own limitations.

To the sisters of Betânia Community, my thanks for everything -- for welcoming me and for living together in sisterhood. I praise God for everything.

Grace and Blessings.