On May 15, Mother’s Day in Paraguay, Alberto Toutin and Fernando Cordero arrived at the SSCC community of the parish of Saint Catherine of Siena in Fernando de la Mora, where our brothers Hugo Armín Pérez and Samuel Silvero live. The parish consists of 18 chapels, three oratories, a grotto, and the San Damián de Molokai retreat house. A street next to the parish bears the name of Pa'i Alberto Pereda.
They began with lunch, prepared by Samuel, joined by the Sisters of Saint Juana Antida Thouret, who run a couple of schools in the neighborhood and actively collaborate in pastoral work. In the afternoon, together with the SSCC community, the visitors attended the International Folklore Festival at the municipal theater on the occasion of the national celebrations.
On the morning of May 16, meetings took place with each of the brothers of the community. Afterwards, lunch was held at the San Damián de Molokai retreat house with the confirmation catechists of the parish, who were on retreat with the young people preparing for confirmation. The afternoon began with a community meeting in which the visitors thanked the community for their welcome and encouraged them to continue caring for fraternal life, health, and the house. They also emphasized the importance of mutual help, transparency, and trust in Jesus. In addition, they invited the community to strengthen the SSCC identity and mission, especially in youth ministry, teamwork, and ongoing formation within the process of unification in Paraguay.
Afterwards, we met with youth leaders, with whom we discussed the challenges facing the country, the Church, and the world: how can we help build a more just and fraternal world? We also discussed the culture of immediacy, the need to involve young people, and to care for their motivations. Food emerged as an important meeting point, as well as spaces where people can talk and share.
Monsignor Vicenzo Turturro, Apostolic Nuncio in Paraguay, presided over the Eucharist celebrating the 60 years of the presence of the SSCC brothers in the country. It was a joyful celebration and a pastoral closeness from the bishop that deeply moved the assembly filling the church of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Fernando de la Mora. He invited everyone to give thanks for the past and to look ahead, connecting with the heartbeat of the Heart of God. Using the image of a bicycle, on the feast of the Ascension, he encouraged the faithful to “pedal forward while looking toward heaven.” He referred to the founders of the Congregation, Henriette Aymer and Pierre Coudrin, whom he described as passionate evangelizers after the French Revolution. At the end of the Eucharist, the Superior General expressed gratitude for the affection shown toward the SSCC brothers throughout all these years and encouraged everyone, following the example of Catherine of Siena, to offer correction when necessary, recalling that the saint herself corrected the Pope while he was in Avignon, urging him to return to Rome. A great family celebration.
Video of the Eucharist:
https://www.facebook.com/parroquiasantacatalinadesienaoficial/videos/995336763041010
On Sunday morning, the visitors and the brothers from Fernando de la Mora concelebrated at the 7 a.m. Eucharist in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupé, patroness of Paraguay. The diocesan bishop, Monsignor Ricardo Valenzuela, presided over the celebration on World Communications Day. Afterwards, we had breakfast at the bishop’s residence, where Bishop Ricardo shared some anecdotes from his student days with his former formator and professor, Father Juan Antonio Lucas. He also shared some key points of the upcoming diocesan plan in a synodal spirit. Afterwards, there was a personal interview with our brother Juan Carlos Torres.
We are grateful for this week lived in Paraguay. We now return to Brazil to join the community of Pindamonhangaba and the final assembly.
05/18/2026