By: Fr. Boy Toledo

Volunteer Missionary
My name is Fr. Boy Toledo and I am a volunteer Missionary here is Salvador, Brazil. I have just arrived and joined Fr. Franck Pintac, also from Philippines we are both associate Columbans.

A first glimpse is always shallow but on the other hand a first glimpse has its own truth. So I share my first glimpse with you for what it is worth.

Favelas
 The city of Salvador is a picture of both affluence and poverty. Being the first capital of Brazil, the buildings are quite old and massive in the center. But at the outskirts are the long lines of “favelas” where the picture of poverty is very evident.

Glittering Brasilia
Brasilia is the nation’s capital after Rio de Janiero. It is a well-planned city where all the government buildings are situated at one area. CENFI is adjacent to these buildings.

Impeachment
The political situations of Brazil is very touchy for the moment. The move to impeach the president is the main focus after he was found guilty of corruption. We at CENTI are making a close follow- up of the situation and have participated in demonstrations for the president’s impeachment. Fr. Vincent McCarthy and myself went to one demonstration last August 24-my birthday. [The president has since been impeached. Editor].

Harvest Great
The religious -spiritual life of Brazil is in need of upliftment. Masses are not well attended.  At one Sunday Mass officiated by Fr. Franck Pintac, only a handful of women and children attended. Contrary to common belief, the basic Ecclesial Communities in Brazil are more of a dream than a reality, particularly in Salvador and Brasilia. There is lot to be done. Brazil is indeed the Lord’s vineyard where the harvest is great but the laborers are few.