DONATION OF BOOKS FOR THE "MINI-LIBRARIES" IN THE AREA OF AZUA (Dominican Republic)

The project to have "mini-libraries" in La Sagrada Familia Parish in Sabana Yegua keeps growing. There are currently two small libraries, one with 500 members and the other with 75.  In 2013, five more mini-libraries will be established in different rural communities in the region in order to promote reading among the children through the lending of books.  We thank FUNDEBIDO, Editorial Santillana and Editorial SM for their recent donations of books to promote reading in this part of the Dominican Republic. 

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IN AZUA: "FOR A LAITY WITH ADULT FAITH"

On Saturday, August 10, theology classes for laity began in the Buen Pastor School in Azua.  Members of the Community of Saint Paul embarked in the initiative, which is new in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, in collaboration with the Dominican Episcopal Conference.  They were able to coordinate the beginning of studies towards a Diploma in Theology for laity in the area of Azua (an ecclesiastic district made up of 14 parishes).  The diploma consists of 22 modules in total. The day began with two modules, and the response from various parishes was very good: there are 59 students with a desire to deepen in their faith through study.  Instructors and students have begun together a learning process that will fortify their faith and at the same time will give fruit to a group of formed and dedicated laymen and laywomen that will be able to accompany their parishes and ecclesial base communities.

COURSE END IN THE SAN JOSÉ CENTER IN JARDINES DE SAN JUAN, EL AJUSCO (MEXICO D.F.)

The San José Center closed the year’s course with a graduation ceremony for the children.  Each year, when a group’s time in the center has come to an end in order to be able to continue onto primary school, we realize that those children have overcome a challenge, they’ve reached a new step. And in the San José Center, the teachers are left with the sensation of “mission completed.”  They see generations of these little ones pass by, but that won’t be forgotten.  Generations of boys and girls full of joy, innocence and much imagination.  Some day they will think back on their childhood and on the San José Center, which we hope they will remember as a time full of joy and care on the part of their teachers.  As the Spanish psychiatrist and author Enrique Rojas says, “Almost all of that which is human is in the childhood.  When this stage has been happy, healthy, full of affection and well focused, one comes out strong for everything.” 

WALK AGAINST CHILD ABUSE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Recently, the teachers and students of the San Agustín Nutritional Center in the San Francisco neighborhood of Sabana Yegua, took to the streets to protest against child abuse. It was a touching effort to call attention to this grave problem.  The children made the placards with which they walked thoughout the entire neighborhood, inviting especially their mothers and fathers to teaching them without violence.