In an atmosphere of profound joy and spirituality, the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Pedro Juan Caballero celebrated the end of a transformative cycle. After six months of dedication, on Tuesday, 23 December, our lay people received their certificates of completion for the ‘Comprehensive Pastoral Training Course’during a solemn Eucharistic celebration. This journey, which began in July of this year, has been a path of encounter, learning, and strengthening of our Christian identity.
A journey of faith and missionary commitment
Under the motto of the 2025 Jubilee, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ and in keeping with the spirit of the Redemptorist Missionaries, this course was created with a clear purpose: to provide our community with the necessary tools for active and conscious participation in the mission of the Church.
Over the course of 120 hours of face-to-face training, participants covered six fundamental modules:
- Module I: Introduction and Fundamentals of the Faith.
- Module II: Sacred Scriptures and Biblical Theology.
- Module III: Liturgy and Sacraments.
- Module IV: Christian Morality and Ethics.
- Module V: Social Doctrine of the Church.
- Module VI: Redemptorist Missionaries and Shared Mission.
It was not just a matter of acquiring theoretical knowledge, but of preparing the heart to be ‘Missionaries of Hope, in the Footsteps of the Redeemer.’
Moments that leave a mark
The presentation of certificates was not just a formal ceremony, but a testimony of perseverance. Seeing families accompanying the graduates and the community united in prayer reaffirms the value of shared formation. The new graduates now have:
- A solid understanding of liturgy and Christian morality.
- Training to lead areas of evangelisation and social action.
- Qualification to participate in the Public Competitive Examinations (CPO) of educational institutions dependent on the CEP. (Paraguayan Episcopal Conference), opening new doors for professional and missionary service.
- We congratulate each of the graduates for their perseverance and love for the Church. May this be only the beginning of a more committed and fruitful life of service.
“Education is the foundation of a living Church. These new leaders are prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century with justice, solidarity, and unshakeable faith.”
Looking to the future with hope
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the teachers, coordinators, and, in particular, to each lay person who courageously took on this challenge. Their commitment is the driving force behind our parish and strengthens our impact on society.
The success of this course would not have been possible without the vision and constant accompaniment of our spiritual guide. We express our special recognition and deep gratitude to our parish priest, Father Ronaldo Ocampos, CSsR, whose leadership and commitment have been the driving force behind this project. His dedication to fostering a ‘shared mission’ has inspired the laity to follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer with courage and knowledge.
‘To form lay people is to strengthen the body of the Church. Today, our parish has leaders capable of evangelising with solid foundations and hearts full of hope.’
This closing is only the beginning of a new stage of service and dedication. Let us continue walking together as a community that grows in wisdom and love.
Fabio Morales
Lay Redemptorist
