Promises – Sant’Ana do Livramento/RS Group
“Who are the Cooperators? Cooperators are those who work with you—that is, those who do exactly that: they ‘cooperate,’ meaning they ‘operate with’ you toward the same goal. That goal is the one the Pastorinha [Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd] hold: helping people attain salvation, leading them to heaven, and sanctifying them. They assist—through prayer, good works, and offerings—in spreading the Gospel and the Catholic faith via mass media and pastoral ministry.”
(Beato Giacomo Alberione)
On October 7—a day special for several reasons, marking both the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the founding anniversary of our Congregation, the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd—we had yet another reason to give thanks and celebrate: the making of promises by four new Pauline Cooperators in the Sant’Ana do Livramento/RS group.
After a period of preparation—participating in the group’s monthly meetings and deepening their understanding of the Pauline Cooperator vocation—we rejoiced at the “YES” spoken by our brothers and sisters: Antônio Carlos Martins Mendoza, Elisa Machado do Nascimento, Vera Regina Figueira Santanna, and Zoila Gonzalez Alvez.
A highlight leading up to this event was the preparation retreat held on September 16. During this time, the participants deepened their understanding of the baptismal mission—for all vocations, including that of the Pauline Cooperator, are born of baptism. They embraced a spirit of trust in God, who calls and invites us to follow Him, to be a light, and to proclaim the Word of the Lord—following the example of Saint Paul—in every environment where they live and work, whether in the Church, the community, society, or the family. The Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr. Alex José Kloppenburg—pastor of Santa Teresinha Parish in Sant’Ana do Livramento—was attended by members of the group, the parish community, and the Pastorinha Sisters: Sr. Cristiane Ribeiro (Provincial Superior), Sr. Suzimara B. de Almeida (from the Cooperators' provincial team), and Sisters Ana Paula Salton, Ester Aiolfi, and Inês Postal from the local community.
After the homily, the candidates recited the formula of the promise; with confidence and joy, they publicly expressed their desire to belong to the Pauline Family. Sr. Cristiane accepted their promises on behalf of the Pauline Family and the Church, welcoming them into this bond of belonging.
At the conclusion of the celebration, the new Cooperators received their badge and the Pauline Cooperator Certificate, followed by a social gathering with all those present.
We give thanks to God that our Pauline Family is growing. We entrust our prayers to the Good Shepherd, that He may guide and strengthen them in the mission.
Sr. Ana Paula Salton, sjbp
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