Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – With great enthusiasm and joy, more than 400 students from Catholic University (from the group “DUOC” in charge of the education project for the social mission of UC) left the city of Chillán to spend a week in volunteer activities in the area struck by the earthquake of February 27.
According to the note sent to Fides from the head of this pastoral initiative, Enrique Rojas: "As a Catholic institution, and in response to the campaign to “rebuild the soul of Chile,” the DuocUC has led the pastoral care of students this winter, traveling to the area of Chillan and the surrounding areas, to work with local communities. This is a mission of rehabilitation and volunteering." "The mission is to make a difference as DuocUC" in the reconstruction of this area of our country," concluded Enrique Rojas.
The event had 314 students and 138 volunteers participating, for a total of over 452 members. Among the work undertaken by the group was the construction of a chapel in El Carmen, as well as painting and repair of other chapels in the area. The missionary activities and manual labor will conclude with a closing Mass at the Cathedral of Chillán on Sunday, August 8.
The opening Mass and sending of missionaries on this winter mission was headed by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, Archbishop of Santiago, on the San Joaquin University Campus on July 31. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 08/02/2010)
