(ANS - Chaco Paraguayo) – In early March, during a visit to the Salesian Province of Paraguay, Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor General for the Salesian Missions, visited the Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco Paraguayo. The Provincial, Fr Don Néstor Ledesma, and all the local Salesian Family, expressed their joy at his presence.

During their regular meeting, the Rectors of all the Salesian Houses in the country welcomed Fr Basañes on the morning of 28 February, at the Provincial House, in Asunción. Then, in the afternoon he travelled to Ypacarai, where he met the pre-novices and aspirants.

The next day, Sunday 1 March, Fr Basañes presided at the Eucharist in a Salesian parish not far from the capital. He spoke with many young people from Salesian movements and with the candidates for confirmation in the parish, who were delighted to meet him. Then, in the afternoon, he spent some time with the post-novices in the formation house.

On 2 March, accompanied by the Provincial, Fr Basañes arrived in the inhospitable lands of the Chaco Paraguayo, where the Salesians have been caring for the indigenous communities since their arrival.

He participated in the Meeting of the Missionaries of the Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco, and visited the two communities of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.  He shared some moments of work and joy with them and had the opportunity to meet and greet the indigenous communities and small local craft workers.

Fr Basañes spent a week in Chaco Paraguayo and has since returned to Asuncion, where he met with the Provincial Economer and the Provincial Office of Planning and Development.

Published 23/02/2015