BrasilBloggin

This Christmas season brought two more Franciscan Brothers to the home where I am living in Uberlandia in addition to the two Franciscans (one priest and one brother) who live here permanently. Brother Rodrigo is who I am here to work with on land reform issues. Father Sergio (Frei Sergio) works in the area of vocations and formation. The two brothers who recently arrived are Ivair and Fabio. They are both here as interns with Rodrigo-to accompany the families involved in land reform. The house where we live is simple, but quite comfortable, not having to struggle with lack of electricity or running water, etc. as do many of the families who I am here to work with on land reform issues.

The end of this year has been full of parties. These last few months I have been helping out at a Youth Center, teaching some English, but mainly just chatting with and getting to know the kids as well as the other staff (who are all wonderful). To wrap things up, there have been many gatherings with lots of food, drinks, music and dancing- hence my weight has increased (I recently bought a pair of shoes to run this off!)!

The week before Christmas, I helped Frei (Brother) Fabio and Rodrigo set up a nativity scene in the nearby monastery’s chapel. After collecting lots of cloth, cardboard, shrubs and vegetation, rocks, etc. and several hours of shaping and placing the materials, the nativity scene was complete and quite beautiful. I’m thankful that I was able to be present to see all that goes in to creating this holy birth scene, whose tradition Saint Francis is credited as having begun. I hope to continue this zeal for creating the Nativity Scene as it can contribute to one’s welcoming the Lord more deeply.

Christmas Eve was full of preparations for the dinner we would host after the evening’s Christmas Mass. While at Mass, there was a man who entered barefoot and with tattered clothing, extending his hand to several people as well as stroking some people’s heads and backs. He even found his way up the steps, near the altar, before being escorted out of the Church by a man who showed gentleness and a compassionate expression. The man who was asking for money was the same man who, days before, wandered into a meeting Brother Rodrigo held at the monastery, behaving the same way before Frei Sergio walked him out. Whenever something like this occurs, especially in a place known to be Christian, I always feel a bit uneasy. I become more aware of our hypocrisy and our limitations to know how best to live out the Gospel. The image of this man’s presence at Christmas Mass is quite embedded in my memory. Although I probably would have given him money if he had extended his hand towards me, I would have most of all preferred to treat him with respect and dignity. It is often difficult for an exchange of such to take place, however, especially if the person has mental problems, which this man most certainly has. In any regards, the least (or most) I could and did do was to pray for him and to pray for me and those present to truly live out God’s love for one another.

After Mass, we returned home and prepared the table for Christmas supper (Turkeys, chicken, stuffing, rice with raisins, wine, soda, passion fruit dessert, chocolate cake and ice cream). While we waited for our guests: Claudiana (The woman who runs the Youth Center that I have been helping) and her son Alan, Marta (one of the Coordinators of a youth center that Claudiana runs), her husband, and their two sons, I called my family in Florida. It was perfect timing as I spoke with my Mom and my niece Cadyn (whose 2 year old voice and words brought me laughs and tears of joy), my sister Renae (whose voice I was very happy to hear), Cadyn´s dad (and my brother) Rob, her mom Tiff, and my brother Ryan. When our guests arrived I said good night and Merry Christmas to my family and joined my Brasilian friends for prayer, the commencement to our Christmas dinner and party. We read from the book of hymns, Frei Fabio played Silent Night on the violin, we sang, we prayed the Our Father together as well as a personal blessing of those present and those not and we placed the figures of baby Jesus in the 3 Nativity Scenes Frei Rodrigo had set up in the house. After prayer, we enjoyed the delicious banquet and after eating, we accompanied Fabio and Alan´s guitar playing with song and dance. We ended the evening in prayer, Fabio again playing Silent Night and Ode to Joy on the violin and all reciting the Our Father. It was a beautiful and joyful Christmas celebration! I have especially loved the way Brasilians gather together in song and dance. The following day, Christmas Day, would bring yet another experience of this at Claudiana´s house with her family and friends. And a few days prior to Christmas was a party that included people stroking the guitar and everyone singing along. Very uplifting and a good model of rejoicing!