This week at a glance.

Hello! My name is Maureen Poirier and I’m the newest addition to the mission team here in Salvador! I flew in just last week from Detroit, Michigan and will be staying with the Community of St. John for 6 weeks in total. I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to pray with and serve alongside the Brothers, Leo, and the people of the Salvador Da Bahia!

It has been 7 days since my arrival and much has happened.  I’ll break it down a little:

Work on the house:

The Magdalene house is coming along well! The projects of the week included; sanding down all the inside walls of the building in efforts to prepare them for a new paint job, mastering electrical wiring and laying a cement floor outside. The project I was most involved in this time around was sanding down the walls and I think we might safely say that with one more day of work we can call the sanding done!

Our lovely cement path, nearly finished 

A few volunteers valiantly sanding away!

A room to be sanded, and an image of a woman with a light - reminding me of the virgins awaiting the bridegroom with their oil and lamps! Come, Lord Jesus!

But, of course, the efficiency of the project isn’t all that matters here. O no. The journey counts as well! I’ve witnessed that the time shared in working has allowed for many thought provoking conversations, fraternal camaraderie, and welcoming and getting to know the community as they begin to get involved! This week has seen 5 surprise volunteers, 3 of them being local tweens (ages 12 and 13) who came by asking if they could help out for an afternoon – Alessandra, Joyce and Sammi are our new friends, and  God willing, they will come back!

Adoration in the Favela:

Friday nights here we adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament in Alto’s Church. It only makes sense to do so!  Because, it is Christ who is our life source and our mission’s breath!  Any work we accomplish, any relationships we make, any good we might do is first initiated by Christ. He inspires our hearts and we respond by the gift of His grace. I’m so happy that we might adore Him together in the favela. He is truly the one who unites us, who directs us, who thirsts for us to remain with Him. During adoration the community from the neighborhood led us in a Rosary. My favorite part was when the women sang between the decades ... I'm pretty sure all God's angels were smiling in these moments J  I sure was!

Mother’s Day mass:

On Mother’s day, we had mass in Alto’s Church with the Community. It was a beautiful liturgy after which about 20 children performed a group dance for their mothers and presented them with little gifts. Following, there was much lively music to celebrate J My prayer is that Mary our Mother might watch over and protect all those living in the favela, that she might bless this mission with much peace, and great hope!

I look forward to keeping you updated in the coming weeks! As for now, this is me signing out. May Christ's peace be with you in all things!

In Him,

Maureen Regina