By: Fr. Bart Toledo

The bishop’s advice to me days before my installation as parish of Vila Brasil always echoes in my mind. “Nao precisa correr. Tem que andar devagar. (You don’t have to run. You have to move slowly.

Here I am still moving slowly seven months of being “vigario” of the Paroquia Sao Jose, Vila Brasil, Barreiras.

Lots of Misunderstanding
With my lack of the language and my limited exposure to the parish, I was open to lots of misunderstanding, I was at a loss when a woman came looking for a priest to Baptist a dead child. I never did and never would do such thing for baptism to my understandings is for the living.

However, I learned later that “batizar” which literally means to baptize is commonly used also to mean to pray over or to bless. Several times I was requested to “batizar” statues and rosaries. “Rezar missa” which means to celebrate Mass is used also to mean to bless the dead.
On several occasions I made a commitment which didn’t turn out right because they didn’t understand what I was trying to say.

Working with Sisters
Vila Brasil is the poorest area of the city and the place where the “invacoes” the migrants from interior who squat on government or private lands are located. We have Austrian and Brazilian Benedictine Sister working in the area for already thirteen years. Working with them is easy if they remain conscious of your limitations and your struggles. But they can be a burden when they forget that you are new and that you need time to learn things.
I got bogged down with them when they started suggesting thing I wasn’t yet ready to do and when they expected me to be like the former priest who was “muito querido to them, I had a meeting with them to explain my needs but with my limited Portuguese it seemed I wasn’t much understood.
My hope is that when I can express myself better and when I get well-adjusted, we could work better together.

Surprises with My “First”
I had many surprises during my first fiesta, first wedding, first communion and even my first masses in the different communities. Brazilians are a “barulhento” (noisy). They love to make noise at fiesta, at Mass and movie houses.  They don’t seem to know how to listen and to concentrate. It takes time to get their attention. My patience is always put to the test.
My wedding was a disappointment – no mass and very much like civil wedding.
My first communion was a disaster- no order solemnity. What matters much to the parents and the communicants are the uniforms and the picture-taking.
It’s often difficult when you are used to order, to discipline and to organization which to some are “caprichos” (mere caprice) around here.

Living Alone
Living alone in a “Casa paroqual” and doing most are also first experience for me. a lady comes to clean and cook. A young lad accompanies me in the evening
Most of the parish activities here are done in the evening-masses, meetings, and courses. One has to get attuned to a different rhythm of activities.

Do Less, Pray More
Despite of the difficulties encountered I’m learning much and beginning to enjoy things as they come. Everyday I set myself to welcome God’s surprises.
I’m moving slow but learning reasonably fast the language, the culture and the way of being Church here. I do less but prayed more. I always relish the company of the Lord at my chapel, of the Blessed Mother at my grotto and of St. Joseph at my altar. As I confront my helplessness daily, the need of God’s power become always very urgent.

His Time not Mine
As the day in the mission increases, I’m becoming more and more convinced that as missionary I should act and do things not ad I want them but as God wants me. The mission is God’s not mine. I am nothing but a dispensable instrument.
I have to move slow to let God move fast,. I have to stop more often to let God show His way. I have to wait and see that things will turn our right in His time and not in mine.