On March 4, 2024, the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil held a formation meeting for co-workers who deal with parish finances.
The meeting took place at the Menino Jesus de Praga Friary in São Luís, Brazil. It was led by the Provincial Custos, Friar Roberto HONORATO OLIVEIRA DOS REMÉDIOS. The participants came from the Santo Antônio de Pádua Parish in Fortaleza; the Santa Dulce dos Pobres Parish in Teresina; the São Francisco de Assis Parish in Bom Jardim; the São Francisco de Assis Parish in Nova Timboteua; the São Francisco de Assis Parish in São Luís, the Santo Antônio de Pádua Parish in São Luís; and the local Menino Jesus de Praga Parish, also in São Luís.
The objective of the meeting was to strengthen fraternal bonds with co-workers. The participants reflected on the basic principles of human relations, such as dialogue and maintaining balanced social relationships. Such relationships are essential everywhere in life, especially at work. Behavior to the contrary can cause emotional difficulties and can directly affect the productive capacity of groups and individuals.
Furthermore, the Custos stressed the importance of financial transparency and how money and possessions are tools for the mission. The issue at the heart of this aspect of the mission is to always maintain communion with the bishops and dioceses where our Order is present.
The meeting included time for discussion and exchanging experiences. Each of the participants spoke about the parish where he exercises his office and how the parish is managed by the pastor, particularly in terms of finances.
In view of how important the topic of finances is, the Custos thanked all the pastors for agreeing to come and for making their staffs available for this event. It was certainly a very productive meeting and the participants left happy and grateful they came, and looking forward to attending another meeting like this again.
Friar Henrique SANTOS DE LIMA
