In June 2001, St. Edward’s began a “twinning program” with the Prelacy of Itaituba (pronounced EE-TIE-TOO-BA) in the Amazon  Rain Forest of Brazil.  A Prelacy is a mission area – a Diocese-in-formation.  It is headed by Bishop Capistrano F. Heim, OFM, a native of the Albany Diocese, born and educated in St. Patrick’s Parish in Catskill, NY.   The city of Itaituba has a population of about 55,000 and it is located in the State of Para, Brazil.  It  is situated on the Tapajos River, about 150 miles southwest of Santarem, on the Amazon River.  Santarem is about 350 miles west of Belem, the State’s capital near the Atlantic Ocean.  Belem has a population of about one million people (see map above).  The Prelacy has only one native priest to date, and 14 priests from Missionary Orders and Congregations.  These 15 priests cover an area equivalent to all of New England, plus all of New York State.   The climate is extremely hot and humid, since Itaituba is located just 4 degrees south of the Equator.  Travel is difficult since there are no paved roads in the entire Prelacy.  The dirt roads through the jungle disintegrate during the heavy rainy season, which is about half of each year.  Most of the people come to Itaituba from elsewhere in Brazil, in search of land to farm and opportunities for work.  Most are poor – many are very poor.

A major effort in the Prelacy is directed to the formation of lay leaders, who then pass on their knowledge and faith sharing to others in their communities.  The lay leaders are called “multipliers” because they help form other lay leaders.  This strategy has been especially successful in the formation of Catechists.  Each year the parishes promote a Catechetical Course for multipliers who, in turn, pass on what they have learned to all the catechists in their respective communities.

Funding from St. Edward’s Parish has aided in the construction of a new Pastoral Center in Itaituba, the purchase of roof tiles to cover their newly constructed brick chapel of St. Therese the Little Flower and to help the rural community (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) to purchase metal window frames to close in their new church (photo below).  However a major portion of the funding has been used to educate people in liturgy and catechesis.  A new project is now underway.  A local TV channel has been set up which brings a Catholic network right into Itaituba.  This Catholic programming has made an enormous contribution in the efforts to evangelize the people of the Amazon Rain Forest.  The TV channel reaches nearly half the population of the Prelacy.  We are pleased to be a part of this wonderful evangelization.

   We have just received some new photos (2007) from Bishop Heim in Itaituba, Brazil.  To view these, click on the link below.  You will also find the original photos from 2002 there as well.