Marist Province of « Brasil Centro Sul »
Since 2009, in partnership with a University Foundation, the Province of « Brasil Centro-Sul » has been offering university education in the State of Santa Catarina, Brasil. From 2011, in the cities of Joinville and Jaraguá do Sul, this academic institution has been known as « Centro Universitário Católica de Santa Catarina », or simply, « Católica de Santa Catarina ».
Recently, on 25 July, a chapel dedicated to Saint Marcellin Champagnat was inaugurated on the campus of Jaraguá do Sul. Mass was celebrated with the participation of the Council of Governors of the University Centre, the Rector and Vice-rectors, representatives of the students and staff, Brothers and guests. On the occasion, Br Frederico Unterberger, president of the Council of Governors, declared that « the chapel will be a place where leaders, teachers, students and other collaborators can find times of encounter with the transcendant, which will contribute to fostering integral education and assuring a significant reinforcement for the pastoral work within the University. »
The Provincial Superior, Br Joaquim Sperandio, also present at the inauguration, emphasized that « the university milieu is pluralist by obligation ; a chapel is justified, then, as a space of spiritual encounter for everyone, independently of the individual’s religious orientation. »Br Joaquim added that « all those who attend the Católica can, on entering this chapel, feel touched by the Spirit of God and called to direct their lives by human and Christian values. »
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Br Ivo A. Strobino