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Building Relationships with the Diocese of São Paulo, Brazil

In the summer of 2004, the Diocesan Conventions of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Diocese of São Paulo, Brazil approved a companion relationship among the two dioceses. This relationship will allow members of congregations in São Paulo and Central Pennsylvania to share in each others' ministries and learn more about the state of the church in other locations.

For St. John’s, a companion parish relationship has been established with the Church of Santo André (St. Andrew’s Parish) in Pereira Barreto, located in the western region of the Brazilian state of São Paulo, about 650 miles away from the Diocesan Center. Pereira Barreto is mostly agricultural, providing food for the major cities along the Atlantic coast. Historically the area was opened for farming by immigrants who came in the early 20^th Century and also after World War II. At that time Brazil was in need farmers and Japanese farmers were in need of new land. It proved to be a good match. Today, Santo André Parish has many members who are Japanese-Brazilians, and they speak both Portuguese, the official language of Brazil, and Japanese.

The Rector of Santo André is The Rev. Sergio Pacheco. St. John’s looks forward to a long and meaningful partnership with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We rejoice that Patrick Collins, a member of our congregation, was admitted as a Candidate for Holy Orders in November of 2004. He is a student at General Theological Seminary in New York City. During the summer of 2005, as part of his training for priesthood, Patrick completed an internship in the Diocese of Sao Paulo.  Click here for news and photos.

Canon Fred Honaman, of St. John's, stands with the Rev. Sérgio Pacheco, of Santo André Parish.  Note the vestments and altar hangings, one of two gently-used sets that were given by St. John's to Santo André, after Patrick let us know of their need.

Here is one of the many Christmas greetings that were sent to St. John's from our companion parish: