Brazil – Salesian parish community restores the first church in the capital of the State of Rondonia
Porto Velho, Brazil - 11 June 2023 - On Sunday, 11 June, the community at the Salesian parish dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima near Porto Velho, in the State of Rondonia, belonging to the Province of Brazil-Manaus (BMA), celebrated the reopening Mass of the historic church of Sant'Antonio, located on the banks of the Madeira River. This church was built in 1914 in the ancient village of S. Antonio do Rio Madeira, later annexed to the municipality of Porto Velho, which then became the capital of the State of Rondonia. Due to natural decay and the pandemic, the church had remained closed for four years and was in a state of abandonment, despite having been classified as a historical heritage of the State. Thanks to the more than 50,000 reais collected by the Catholic community of the Salesian parish of Fatima, it was possible to restore the exterior cladding, repair the roof and close off the leaks. On the occasion of the reopening, Father Sergio Lucio, the parish priest of the Porto Velho work, celebrated the Eucharist which hundreds of faithful participated at. During the celebration the history of the church was retraced, the many benefactors were thanked, and it was announced that from now on the church will have Mass every Sunday morning.