Help an Apostolate in Paraguay

Sister Blanca and Sister Emilia need your help. They belong to the religious family of the Salesians of Don Bosco and are devoted to the education of young people. Twelve sisters in this community currently live and work in the Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco, in northern Paraguay. They care for the young; they support families and the poor; and they visit the elderly and sick.

But their work is not easy. This part of Paraguay is vast, covering approximately 37,000 square miles, and the roads are poor. Many places can only be reached by water, including two remote communities under the care of Sister Blanca. The people in these communities belong to two indigenous tribes, and to reach them, Sister Blanca travels two and a half hours on the Paraguay River.

The other sisters also work in the town of Puerto Casado, where they look after the members of the indigenous Maskoy people. “The grace of God has always accompanied the sisters of our community, since they are instruments of the Gospel of Christ among the marginalized peoples in Paraguay,” explains Sister Marciana Toledo Vergara, the Superior of the community.

Sister Emilia works in five indigenous communities, preparing the children for their First Holy Communion, caring for the sick, and supporting the local teachers. She also helps the students of the Maskoy people and others in the area who struggle to survive. Meanwhile, Sister Justa works with the committed lay women of the parish in the suburbs of Puerto Casado; and Sister Irene organizes activities for the children and runs a parish youth group.

And in Ñu Apu´a, also in Paraguay, the sisters have established a boarding school for 110 children whose families live too far from the nearest school, so they have the chance to receive a proper education.

These are just a few examples of the outstanding work the sisters do, and for no reward. We, in turn, would like to support them for the current year, with basic subsistence aid of $5,343. Will you join us?

Code: 233-05-39

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