Father Duane, Prior of the Benedictine Monks of Mineiros, attended the
National Encounter of Monastic and Contemplative Groups held at National Marian
Basilica in Aparecida-São Paulo, June 16-19. The unprecedented event brought
together two hundred men and women from twenty five different monastic and
contemplative Orders and Congregations throughout Brazil to reflect on their
mystic, identity and mission. Men and women hermits participated, as well as some
benedictine oblates. Sister Eliene, superior of the Benedictine Sisters of Mineiros
also participated. The event was jointly organized by the Conference of Bishops
of Brazil and the Conference of Religious of Brazil. Cardinal Raymond
Damascena, archbishop of Aparecida, São Paulo, welcomed the participants and
presided over the opening Mass as well as the Sunday Mass, at 08hs in Marian
Basilica full of pilgrims from all over Brazil and the 200 participants in the Encounter.
The Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life, Dom Joao Braz de Aviz, participated throughout the
meeting, with joy, support and encouragement. He said: "In my person feel
blessed by Pope Benedict XVI." Before assuming this position in the
Vatican, he was Archbishop of Brasilia. In the Marian Basilica, Sunday, he
delivered the homily. On sites of the CRB and CNBB there are photos, articles
and the final message (cf. www.crbnacional.org.br/Encontro National ...).
6/25/2012
6/24/2012
News from St. Joseph Priory, Mineiros, Goiás
InFormAção
Newsletter of the Benedictine Monks of Mineiros
Retrospectives – Year 2011
Dear Readers,
Last year we were not able to
issue any numbers of our newsletter. We now resume the task of keeping you
informed with this special issue of Retrospectives
- Year 2011, and with the promise to put out more issues regularly. We hope
you enjoy our retrospectives.
Studies: Our two junior monks, Brother Gabriel and Brother Carlos, pronounced their monastic vows,
December 17, 2010, and in 2011 resumed his academic studies: Brother Gabriel,
studies Philosophy at the 
Between November 7-23, 2011, Father
Vinicius - responsible for vocation promotion of the saint Joseph monastery
- participated the second stage of the course "School Service of the
Lord," promoted by CIMBRA (Inter-monastic Conference of Brazil) for
persons working in formation and leadership in Benedictine communities. He did
the first part of the course in November 2010. Present at this second course
were 26 participants from diverse masculine and feminine monasteries in 
Departures: Brother Jackson
André, who also pronounced vows in December 2010, transferred to St.
Benedict Monastery, in Brasília for a couple months before returning to his
family home in On-going formation: Father Joaquim Carlos traveled to
Brother Gabriel participated
in a course on the cosmology of the French Jesuit priest, Teilhard Chardin, October
28-30, in
the Jesuit Loyola Center here in Goiânia. Jesuit Father Carlos James conducted the
course for university students.
The Most Rev. Antonio Ribeiro de Oliveira, Retired Archbishop of Goiânia, gave a rich six-hour exposition
on Vatican Council II and its documents. He spoke of his involvement in the
preparation of the Council as auxiliary bishop of Goiânia, participating in
meetings of bishops promoted by Archbishop Helder Camara, who was President the
National Conference of Brazilian Bishop since its founding in 1958, and later,
during the Council itself. This day of studies and sharing was December 20th,
in the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, in 
Acquisitions: In July, the community acquired a new car, VW Gol G4 1.0, with the help of the Archdiocese Cologne in the amount of $13,000.00. Income from sale of used car and a contribution-in-kind from St. Joseph Priory paid the total price of the vehicle - $19,320.00, including documentation and insurance.
Travels: During the month of July, Brother Gabriel traveled to
France, guest at the Abbey of Notre Dame de Tournay by the Prior Irenaeu and
the Abbot Joel. He spent July 6-11 at the Abbey, participating in the feast of
St. Benedict with the monks of there. He went with Prior Irenaeu and novice BrotherJean-Baptiste,
to Saint Benoit d'En Calcat Abbey in Dourgne, enjoying the fraternal reception Abbot
David and Prior Jean-Luc. He spent a day at the Marian Shrine of
Dom Josias Dias da
Costa viajou
aos Estados Unidos com professora Luciene Aparecida ao 1º de setembro. Visitaram
a Abadia em Atchison. O Abade Barnabas pessoalmente os acolheu e mostrou a
exposição em andamento de fotografias dele na galeria de arte do mosteiro. Visitaram o Mosteiro Santa Escolastica e o
colégio mantido pelas duas comunidades monásticas – Maur Hill / Mount
Academy. No dia 04, viajaram para o lado
setorial do Estado de Kansas, indo para os Grades Rochedos de Colorado,
prenoitando em Denver. ....
Visits: During July 25-27, Abbot
Mathias Tolentino Braga, OSB, of St. Benedict's Monastery in
Activities: Brother Carlos Alberto agreed to assist Father Rodrigo, pastor of St. Benedict’s Parish, in
Mineiros, at the first parish Assembly, January 30. He authored the working
document for the Assembly and coordinated discussions.
During July 16-17 Bro. Carlos
attended the National Congress of Regional Conference of Religious on New
Generations at the Capuchin Retreat House in Hidrolândia-GO, near Goiânia.
During his third year of Theology, Brother Carlos began preparations for Master Degree in Literature
at the Pontifical University in Goiania 18, in
Goiânia, he attended a course on Theory of Poetic Texts, taught by Brazilian poet
and literary critic, Gilberto Teles Mendonça, during a National Meeting of Literary
Studies, July 17-19.
To supplement his course of Theology, also in July, Brother Carlos participated in a three-day
National Workshop on Canon Law in Goiânia. Bishop Fernando Guimarães José Monteiro, from in
Diocese of Garanhus, Permanabuco, was the principal speaker.
In November Brother
Carlos was able to participate in a course on Celibacy, in Belo Horizonte
Father Duane attended a
Regional Meeting of the Midwest Conference of Religious Psychologists and Novice
Masters on New Generations in the Retreat House of the Sisters of the
Assumption in
Father Rodrigo is Pastor
of St. Benedict´s parish in Mineiros, and Coordinator of the Diocesan nucleus of
the Conference of Religious during the years 2011/2012. This year, he began academic studies in Psychology. Recently he was elected president of the Priests’
Association of the Diocese of Jataí; and was appointed Auditor by the Judge of
the Ecclesiastical Tribunal.
Father Josias celebrated his
25th anniversary of priestly ordination in Mineiros, his hometown, July 9, with
Mass in Thanksgiving at St. Benedict´s parish church, followed with a dinner
and fellowship in a parish center where a large number of relatives,
parishioners, and visiting religious and clergy gathered.
Throughout the year 2011, Brother Carlos
accompanied a group of boy scouts, and helped organize and participate in a
camp-out during October 22-24.
In November, he received the Award for Rendered Services in Scouting, in recognition of his
leadership, creativity and commitment to the Boy Scouts program in Goiânia. The
award was conferred by the National Council of Boy Scouts. Brother Carlos accompanies
the Goyáz Scout troop every Saturday afternoon.
In June 2011, Father Duane took a vacation, visiting St. Benedict´s Abbey in
Community retreat: All the monks attended a retreat at the House of Studies in Goiânia,
August 1-4. Abbot Paulo Silva, OSB, from St.
Geraldo Abbey, in 
Monastic Library: Upon the inauguration of the Father Kieran McInerney Library in
2010, new shelves were installed for more books and better organization. During
2011, we purchase more books, and receive donations of books from Oblate Simone
Felix Motta in the area of Sociology; and from
Dr. Eumar Almeida Britto, medical doctor and professor at the
Vocation Promotion: Brother Carlos built a database of young men interested in becoming
Benedictines. He maintains contact with these young people via E-mail,
Websites, Blogs, and phone calls. Some, he visits personally, or they come to
visit him at the monastery in Goiânia.
Chapter meetings: During December 5-6, with the consent of Abbot Barnabas, the Chapter of
St. Joseph Priory met in Goiânia for evaluation, planning and election of their
Prior. Father
Rodrigo was the secretary of the Chapter. Father Duane was re-elected Prior. Father
Rodrigo continues as Subprior; and Father Joaquim Carlos, Business
Manager. Father Rodrigo and Joaquim were
re-elected also as Seniors. Father Vinícius
and Brother Carlos are in charge of promoting vocations, and members of
formation committee with Father Duane. The Chapter also approved the entrance
of two young men as postulants, beginning early March 2012: Victor Leon and
Anthony. Prior Duane announced that the monastery in Goiânia will
hire a man fulltime to care for the grounds, garden, orchard, and dogs. And the former cook will resigned due to
health, and that Eleni Fatima de Araújo will be the new cook. Chapter
secretary sent a report of this Chapter to Abbot Barnabas, who confirmed the Prior´s
election via e-mail on December 16, 2011.
World Youth Encounter:
Father Vinícius participated in World Youth Encounter, in Madrid, Spain, August
9-23. The event attracted more than 1.5
million young Catholics from approximately 130 countries. He represented
the Diocese of Jataí and the parishes in Mineiros. He joined forces with the
official delegation of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, assisting
with planning the journey and related events in Brazil. His group
embarked in Oblates: This year, four candidates participated in our program for oblates. Prior Duane was the master of novices. Father Josias and Brother Carlos helped with some classes. The candidates are: a couple - Nélio and Cláudia; Clarice Moreira, professor and psychologist; and Ms. Simone Motta Felix, Social Worker. The couple terminated also their preparation as Eucharistic ministers. Clarice and Simone are married and professionals in their fields.
-o-o-o-o-o-
With a sincere heart, we thank all our benefactors for your support, friendship, fellowship, prayer and dedication to our community. Thanks to you we continue our formation program, in hope to construct a solid future. May God bless each and all of you and your families!
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