Meet Fr. Adilson Schio, M.S.

Chapter delegation from Brazil: La Salette Frs. Marcos Antonio Queiroz, Adilson Schio and  Presentino Rovani.

For the last 12 years, Fr, Isidro Perin, MS – originally from the Brazilian Province –  has been the Superior General of the Congregation. At the General Chapter in the Philippins last May, after the election of Fr Dennis Loomis as Superior General of the Congregation, I had an interview with members from the Brazilian delegation participating ine La Salette General Chapter.

Fr. Jack asked Fr.Adilson Schio, MS – Provincial of Brazil: What do you see as the reaction of the Brazilian Province to having Fr. Isidro Perin, MS back among you?

Fr. Adilson:  We welcome him home with open hearts and arms. We are very grateful for what he brought

 

 

 

Fr. Isidro Perin, MS

the whole Congregation these last 12 years. We always backed him in his endeavors and trusted him in the guidance he offered. When he returned to his homeland for vacations or official visits he always brought to us a sense of the whole Congregation. Now that he will soon be back, our pastoral mission and ministries will be enriched through his continual sharing of that gift. His past experiences will stimulate us all to be more open to the variety of life, ministry, challenges, and energy of our worldwide Congregation. In a word, his return among us bring great joy. For the last few months, whenever one member of the Province telephoned another, the question would always be asked: When will he be back?

Fr. Isidro – also present at the interview – enthusiastically said:  You can now tell them that I hope to be there about July 4th, after turning operations over to Fr. Dennis Loomis, the new Superior General.

Fr. Jack:  What is your vision for Brazilian Province in the years to come?

Fr. Adilson:  We have three projects that will take center stage:
1-  Spiritual La Salette formation of the laity. Many people who are closely associated with us and work with us in our miistries have been touched by our La Salette spirit and charism – that of a reconciling prsence in a broken world. In the conferences a few days ago it was affirmed that charism shouls be like an atmosphere surrounding us , eminating from us and touching the lives of those who share our life and ministry. It is a gift from the Spirit of Holiness to each member. Lived fully it is also a gift for the Church, for our Congregation, and for those with whom we come into contact. We are challenging each member of the Province to live that charism daily and work to reinforce it, deepen it and bring it to fullness in those who work and minister with us in our parishes and shrines. That will require a formation process for them. Once reinforced in their Catholic leadership and imbued with a deeper La Salette spirit, they can strengthen it in their fellow workers and ministers.
2-  Outreach to the poor. We desire, as a Province, to reach out to the poor, to those in need – not just by works of charity. Justice, strengthened by Gospel values, calls us not to leave them in their destitute situation, but to help them in every way possible. Some need education, others need formation that will give them life-engendering skills. We figure it will take about two years to put this project into place. Meanwhile some of our La Salette Centers and Shrines are already welcoming them. We want to make this a province-wide effort.
3-  Mission to Amazonia. The Bishop’s Conference of Brazil is challenging all Religious Congregations to

Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette  in Marcelino Ramos, Brazil.

look with the eyes of faith at the extensive region of the Amazon where there are some eight mission dioceses. These cover great distances, and many populated areas can be reached only by plane or boat. There is a double challenge: to bring the Gospel to the indigenous people living there, and to be ecologically conscious of what any development my mean to them and their environment. We want to respond to this call.

Another project, although not one that will call upon the energies of every member of the Province, is to improve the way we serve and minister in the five Shrines we have: in São Paolo, Marcelino Ramos, Rio de Janero, Curitiba and Goyas.