For newcomers to Brazil like me and Richie (JPIC Desk\u2013General Administration), witnessing the Brazilian landscape was an awe-inspiring experience. The vast fields and endless pasturelands we passed through beautifully exemplify the meaning of the quote from Pope Francis mentioned above. The mission truly has no boundaries\u2014it reaches deep and wide into the hearts of every person we meet along the way.<\/p>\n
After the RENASCO (R\u00e9union Nacional do Concelho) Meeting from August 4-6, 2025, Richie Gomez and I headed to the MSC Province of Curitiba, which covers parts of S\u00e3o Paulo, the states of Paran\u00e1, and Santa Catarina. We started in the MSC community in Barra do Turvo, in the Vale do Rebeira region, S\u00e3o Paulo. Three days later, we moved on to Curitiba, which has become our base. From there, we travelled to Francisco Beltr\u00e3o and then to the picturesque town of Capanema. Two days afterwards, we proceeded to Foz do Igua\u00e7u, and after five days, we headed back to Curitiba. Next, we explored the vibrant town of Florian\u00f3polis, where history and modernity blend among natural beauty. After spending time with the MSC community and its people, we returned to Curitiba. Finally, we made our way back to S\u00e3o Paulo on September 3, 2025. The entire trip lasted thirty days.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026boundaries of faith do not only cross places and human traditions, but the heart of each man and woman\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Before the GLT embarked on its journey to accompany the three MSC Provinces in Brazil (S\u00e3o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba), I understood that language would play a significant role. However, I never thought it could restrict the way we connect with our confreres. With our devices and Google Translate app at hand, we managed to communicate individually or in informal group chats. Throughout my entire stay, I never felt alienated or disconnected because even during brief or lengthy silences, I felt our hearts remained linked. In our one-on-one conversations, Google may not capture and translate everything we say, but the emotions behind our confreres\u2019 desires, hopes, and even some frustrations are expressed through non-verbal cues. The spirit of fellowship was profoundly felt throughout our time with our confreres.<\/p>\n\n\t\t