Confreres welcomed in Beni, Bolivia
With little luggage but with great enthusiasm, new Vincentian missionaries arrived in Beni, Bolivia: Father Andreas Wijaya, CM (Indonesia) and Father Julio Cesar Villalobos, CM (Peru). They share with us the following news:
The warm temperature was mingled with the warm greeting that was extended by the Daughters of Charity, who minister in the city of Beni, as they welcome their brothers in Saint Vincent de Paul into their midst.
These confreres arrived in the Apostolic Vicariate of Beni and will become part of the Pastoral Team that is ministering there (members of the Vincentian Family, campesino leaders and volunteers from various places). On Sunday, November 20th, the members of the team began visiting the homes of the parishioners and experienced the joy of the people as they joined in welcoming these new priests.
The newly arrived priests stated that they had arrived in Bella Selva where they celebrated the Eucharist in the midst of the campesinos, simple and humble people. This celebration took place in the St. Vincent de Paul chapel. Once again the people manifested their joy at this presence of priests among them, their joy in knowing that they were being accompanied by these missionaries. These manifestations of joy touched the hearts of the newly arrived priests.
The missionaries were presented by Bishop Julio María Elias, OFM, during his inaugural address at the Pastoral Assembly of the Vicariate that took place from November 21-25, 2016. The Bishop welcomed our Vincentian confreres and introduced them to the participants in this Assembly.
The presence of these Vincentian missionaries provides a significant impulse to the Vincentian Family that is ministering in this area. Perhaps the highlight of these welcoming ceremonies was the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday, November 27th, the feast of the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. This celebration took place in Sacred Heart Manor (a residence for the elderly that is administered by the Daughters of Charity) and members of the AIC and the VMY as well as the Daughters participated in this event.
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM
