“My Place”.” With this motto, we have set to work to ensure that the Calasanz Movement continues to give life to the province. For those who do not know the reality of the USA-PR Province, we are in New York, Devon/Philadelphia, Florida, Puerto Rico and Cuba; and in these places we now have a certain phase of the pastoral process of the Calasanz Movement.
With a new provincial team, we have begun our work to continue to cultivate cultural and linguistic diversity in our province. In the work I am doing in New York, we have two Calasanz Movement groups working, one at St Helena School and the other with the children and young people of the parish community. In both we find a great cultural diversity, with children from different countries and although they speak English together, their families come from different backgrounds. An exciting task has led us to work towards unity and a sense of belonging; so that they, living in such a complex city, can have a safe place. Week after week, we meet with the community groups and try to help them find meaning in their lives through games, themes and prayers. Here we offer them the opportunity to express themselves and get involved in the parish community by taking part in the activities it promotes.
The Santa Elena School is not left behind. The students meet every fortnight and reflect in their space on different topics in which we promote a time of creating a school identity/community. As it is a parish school and not a school, this represents a greater challenge that opens the doors to present the image of Calasanz in a different and renewed way. For this reason, we are developing activities around the motto “My Place” to promote a sense of belonging to their school and to Pious Schools. The children who are part of the Calasanz movement help us in the pastoral activities of the school, helping them to develop a sense of commitment.
Nevertheless, this is not the only place where the Calasanz Movement is on the move. As Provincial Coordinator of the Calasanz Movement, I see the hard work of our brothers and Calasanz Movement workers who are always looking for new ways to reach our children and youth. Like our work in Cuba, where week after week our brothers conduct educational and fun activities to help the children overcome the tough trials they face.
Thank you to teamwork, the Movement is on its way in our province today, but above all it has helped us to open the doors to those who want to be part of something bigger than themselves.
P. Jorge L. Ramírez, Sch.P.
