Montreal, continued

mid-January 2001.  The formation sessions are reaching out to a larger group of people interested in learning about the Scalabrinian mission.  All agree that this process of formation, exchange and reflection will ultimately lead to more effective and directed action.

            Our introductory session was very inspiring due to the presence of Father Walter Tonelotto our regional spiritual director, Father Giulio Poggi, a Scalabrinian priest known to many in our group, and Francesco Valentini a Scalabrinian seminarian from Our Lady of Pompei (Montreal) who is presently studying at the seminary in Bogota under the surely wonderful and directed

care of Father Peter Ciallella.  Their presence meant a lot to us and their practical and theological perspective was very enlightening.

            Thus far, the Montreal group has completed the first unit over three sessions.  Many thanks to Anna Maria Vertullo, who was responsible for organizing and teaching the material of this very important first unit.  She added a dynamic and personal dimension by inviting people who have lived the migratory experience.  These guests came from various Congo, Cameroun, Eastern Europe and Uganda.  They had various pre- and postmigration experiences, and could comment on both cultural and socioeconomic change.  The group hopes to maintain this enthusiasm and evolve towards our mission of "an association of assistance" to migrants from all cultures and religions.

            Our Lady of Pompei is fortunate in that it has a new priest sharing the migrant experience, Father Alfredo Mosquera, formerly of Colombia.  Welcome, Father Mosquera!

News From Rhode Island

Christmas greetings from Rosanna Grillo brought a copy of Scalabrini Today, a quarterly newsletter prepared for the Scalabrini Lay Movement at Holy Rosary parish, Providence, Rhode Island.  This is a very sophisticated four-color production on quality paper.  The issue sent has suggestions for celebrating the season, plus information on Blessed Scalabrini and his legacy, and other bits to tempt readers.

            For many years and for many reasons, the Scalabrinians themselves have not discussed Blessed Scalabrini much with their parishioners.  It would be good to end this tradition and to encourage the parishioners to know more about the Scalabrinians and their worldwide mission. A feeling of unity with the Scalabrinian mission is the first step in developing a sense of being a lay Scalabrinian.

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News From Cúcuta, Colombia

Gustavo and Yasmin Jimeniz were among the lay Scalabrinians from the parish of San Pedro Apostol in  Baruisieto, Venezuela, to go on mission at Natividad de Nuestra Senora parish in Cúcuta, Colombia during August 2000.  Starting with a group of eleven young people, mostly university students with part-time jobs and a great deal of dedication, Gustavo, Yasmin, and other volunteers helped to organize the lay movement at Cúcuta.  After thirteen days of intensive formation, the new lay group had identified their community’s most urgent needs and outlined ways to meet them, dividing the responsibilities among themselves.  One volunteer, Carmen Cecilia, has returned to Cúcuta to offer her services for six months.  The full story, with testimony from members of the lay movement from Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia is in the summer 2000 issue of Scalabrinians,