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When the Dominican sisters first came to Chimbote in 1966, they were
involved in developing programs for catechesis, developing syllabi, and
preparing others to teach the lessons of the Catholic faith. The sisters
also taught religion in the public schools. Today they continue this and
other ministries among the people of Chimbote.
Religious education is continued in a formal way today by the ministries
of Sisters Manuela Crisólogo, Maryann Connolly and Sr. Germaine
Conroy. Sr. Manuela teaches religion and gives retreats at Mundo Mejor
High School. Sr. Germaine is a member of the Pastoral Team, a Eucharistic
Minister, and counselor to a group of married couples in a program called
Equipos de Nuestra Señora.
Sr. Maryann Connolly’s principal work in Chimbote is participation
in the Pastoral Biblical Team which prepares and gives courses to prepare
adult Biblical promoters for the parishes of the  Diocese.
The methodology used has been developed by Biblical scholars, principally
from Brazil, who believe that the Word should be accessible to all the
people of God, and that our life experiences illuminate the Scriptures
for us, just as the Scriptures illuminate our lives. The courses aim to
introduce the students to an understanding of the meaning of the text
in the time when it was written, as well as to its meaning for us today.
The sisters of the local congregation seek out other ministries to serve
the people of God. They are involved in the formation process for young
women interested in exploring religious life, administrative and organizational
work for the council of religious within the country, in prison ministry
and working with the Diocesan Health Committee.
Some specific projects in which they are currently involved include:
The Peruvian Education Project |
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The efforts of Sr. Rocío Torres de Leon have been directed
toward a new pilot project that will academically advance a small
group of gifted children from among the poorer inhabitants of Chimbote.
The intent is to target five children who have the potential but
not the means to succeed academically and to secure the necessary
resources to make attendance at the local Christian Brothers’
school a reality. In the Peruvian system the child (is promoted
or moves) from the sixth grade and goes on to five years in “high
school.” Over a five year period of middle school /high school
this pilot program will work closely with the children and their
families to address critical gaps and provide assistance to bolster
their success. |
CECOPROS: Changing the Face of Evangelism |
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face of evangelization has changed in many respects with the development
of the media and the powerful forces of communication available
at the present time. CECOPROS is such a force for evangelization.
When St. Dominic called on his followers to meet the needs of the
day did he even imagine Radio & Television?
Sister Carolina (Germaine) Conroy has been working with CECOPROS
which is sponsored by the Dominican Fathers of the San Juan Bautista
Province in Peru, for several years. The respect for human rights
in all aspects is the basis and the force driving the programs and
promotion embraced by this ministry in the media.
Through radio programs, video production, maintenance of a teaching
video lending library, production of a weekly  newspaper
section, group counseling and through human rights activities the
Center is using contemporary resources for promotion, education,
production, consultation and leadership. The Center’s staff
has been active in promoting the Commission of Truth and is a member
of the Mesa de Concertación por la Lucha Contra de Pobreza
- the Coordinating Committee for the Fight against Poverty, a group
which strives to counteract poverty and to effect systemic change.
The Center is in the forefront of activity with many NGOs whose
interests coincide with its mission.
Three Radio programs are prepared regularly. These programs provide
a means of communication with the people in the outlying areas,
including the Sunday Gospel readings presented in ways that will
be of interest, and are geared to the everyday life of the people
in the pueblos. In addition, the center has both produced and purchased
videos on topics including health, ecology, the church, women, and
children and human rights issues. Currently, the center maintains
a library of nearly 2000 topics and these can be borrowed by parishes
and schools.
CECOPROS works with the Communications Office of the Diocese in
the production of a weekly page in the Chimbote newspaper La
Industria entitled "Vida y Fe" (Life and Faith).
It is a wonderful means of carrying on the preaching ministry of
Dominicans. |
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