casa velha activities report 2012

Casa Velha News 2012

Index

Editorial

Glossary

To Celebrate, to Grow, to Serve, to Pass by and Share, to Stay, to Sustain

Casa Velha Association

Activities 2012

Ativities program 2012/2013

Numbers 2012 e 2013 challenges

Contacts

Editorial

Dear Friends,

As I read this 2012 activities´s report, I cannot avoid a Thanksgiving feeling by the inspiration and strength of the Mighty, as well as a gratitude towards those who promoted, organized and supported with their heads, hearts and own hands, these same activities. During 104 days of the past year 833 people, and among them 400 teenagers and youth, showed a surprising, positive and great tenacity as well as a committed mission. I confess that I did not expect so much and with so much joy, deepness and beauty. Now, that we have already been through more than 4 months of “Casa Velha”´s activities in 2013, the whole set of activities can serve as a good base for evaluation: clarification of the spaces, institutions, the association´s own space, the personal and material goals and means to achieve that ideal of Ecology and Spirituality. I use this opportunity to push for the need to have the new infrastructures in place as soon as possible. But I can also say that following the return from the 2013 Easter celebrations in Casa Velha, I am strongly convinced that those are also underway and in the appropriate pace. Let´s be faithful, work hard and develop a good relationship among all. Congratulations.

Father Vasco Pinto de Magalhães, sj

Porto, 24th of April, 2013

THE VOCATION TO CARE FOR

“The vocation of being a “protector”, however, is not just something involving us Christians alone; it also has a

prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the

created world, as the Book of Genesis tells us and as Saint Francis of Assisi showed us. It means respecting each of

God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving

concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think

about. It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as

parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building

sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, everything has

been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!”

Homily of Pope Francis, 19th of March of 2013

As I look back to the year that has passed and in the light of this new one that has already brought us so many news, I cannot avoid picking the words of our new Pope Francis that, in so many ways, confirms the path of this project. We are challenged to protect the whole creation. Casa Velha has felt that call and has wished to respond in ever better ways to that vocation. In 2012, there was an important confirmation of that wish and will, as we formally created in September, and following many months of preparation, the Casa Velha Association- Ecology formally created in September, and following many months of preparation, the Casa Velha Association- Ecology and Spirituality. Many are those who believe in that vocation and who are willing to commit themselves to that Mission. For all them, I thank God. I am particularly grateful to the Portuguese Provinces of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Society of Jesus that accepted to join this project´s Executive Board made of a wide variety of people from all ages, backgrounds and training…just like Casa Velha.

From the Statutes of Casa Velha Association:

“Casa Velha” wants to be a meeting and personal development space. In direct contact with nature and through

cultural, social and spiritual activities, it seeks to promote the growth of healthy relationships with oneself, with

God and with the others. A family and cosy environment welcomes all to experiment a simple and communitarian

time in the rural area, to enjoy moments of silence and sharing through work in the fields, creative activities,

training session, reflection and praying. Casa Velha wants to be a space open to all providing a deep and

unforgettable experience of what is essential in Life, Community and each Person so to contribute for a full human

development, in its different dimensions: personal, communitarian, local and in communion with the whole Earth

and Humanity.”

The tune is funny! The future seems to be open up in Casa Velha. To you all who have generously cared about this project, thank you! May we know how to care well this treasure that has been entrusted to us and that we carry in jars of clay.

Margarida Alvim

Aliadas - Schoenstatt Girls´Youth

Atravessados – Volunteer group that, once a month, spends a community weekend in Casa Velhavisiting the elderly, organizing activities and study sessions for the children and youth in Vale Travessoand Ourém

Ticks - Family movement that organize Summer retreats and activities for teenagers and youth

Hospitaller Families- families of old volunteers from the Hospitaller Order of S.John of God

FixPeople (Reparadores) – Youth Group from Vale Travesso, the village where Casa Velha is located

GLOSSARY

FixPeople (Reparadores) – Youth Group from Vale Travesso, the village where Casa Velha is located

SAIREF – a holiday activity with God for youth (the name is the Portuguese word for holidays – FERIAS – but written in opposite way)

Trowels (Trolhas) – Working and Training Camps organized by Youth Association CAMTIL

To celebrate

So many things to celebrate! It helps us to acknowledge so many good things: our history, our faith, what brought us to be what we are now, the mission to which we are sent to. It helps us to live in gratitude.

For the first time, we celebrated the Paschal Triduum in Vale Travesso. “To Cross Easter” was the reason that brought together “Atravessados”, family and friends joined by a group of Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Society of Jesus for the celebrations in the community.

On the 30th of June, celebrating the lives of Catherine and Henrique, we celebrated, once again, Thanksgiving with a mass and picnic with friends.

In September, the family and friends of Rita Wemans celebrated her memory and life in the get-together “10 years on the Way”.

In November, we wanted to unite the whole church in the celebration of the Year of Faith with a reflection day – To Cross the Door of Faith – oriented by Sister Ângela Coelho and Father Sérgio Diz Nunes, sj.

In December, on Advent, we had a very special celebration- the blessing of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd and of Casa Velha Association.

To celebrate

To grow

To Grow, is a perfect verb for Casa Velha. Not only for the rapid and silent growth of weeds in the garden during Spring but also for the ways it helps so many lives to grow here: the children and families from Vale Travesso, through the once-a-month activities with “Atravessados” and “Fixpeople”; the “Fixpeople”, through the volunteering work and exchanges with other youth groups; the teenagers and youth that join the Summer retreats and activities organized by “Ticks” and “SAIREF”; the Sciences Classroom from Oficinas de São José in Lisbon led by Prof. Isabel Alte da Veiga that had the opportunity to experiment Nature and Spirituality in Casa Velha; and the classes from Colégio Pedro Arrupe that came to get to know the project.

In all this, with all this, this project continues to Grow….

To grow

To Serve

To serve is an important dimension in Casa Velha Project. Many of the groups that pass by wish to help in some way or another. And in reality, there are always things to do and all help is very much welcomed and make a difference, whether through cutting the weeds at the garden, collecting and drying aromatic herbs, painting doors or designing projects….

The “Atravessados” has increased in number and geography (beyond Lisbon, Fonte da Prata, Santarémand Coimbra there are now 3 new members from Castelo Branco). Its service is increasingly gaining roots in the community of Vale Travesso e Ourém: activities with children, visits to the elderly and the study sessions at the House of Children.

In March, the Movement Lay People in Support of Development (Leigos para o Desenvolvimento) organized a small working and training camp for its volunteers and in April.

The “Trowels” had their last working camp in Casa Velha after 3 years of support for this project.

To Serve

Throughout the year, several people and groups visited Casa Velha: to get to know this project that they heard about (Foundation Bethania), to rest in the middle of a pilgrimage to Fatima (American seminarians and Jesuit University Centers), to reflect in group (Alternatives, a small reflection group coordinated by FEC) or simply to visit and rest like the Jesuits from Peru, Bangladesh and Portugal studying in Rome or Elena Lasida from the Catholic Institute of Paris (in between conferences in Lisbon and Porto). It is a great joy to listen to Casa Velha in so many tunes and to know that this project is open to the world.

To Pass by and Share

To stay

In the daily rush, time passes by fast so it is wonderful to be able to stop and decompress, to reassess, to rest and meet friends, to share life and to simply stay. This is what the Hospitaller Families did when they chose Casa Velha in June for a weekend in family and each stayed in its own tent.

After the experience of Magis in 2011, Casa Velha won an Irish heart! In August, Niall Leahy, sj returned for holidays with his father. It was a time marked by rest, service, prayer, walks, and sharing meals and welcoming friends that passed by this house.

In October, FEC (the NGO under the Portuguese Episcopal Conference) organized again its yearly team day in Casa Velha. This was a time to be with each other and to give space to other conversations.

In the eve of the new year, a group of friends of Casa Velha joined here to celebrate the year that passed and to prepare the new with the orientation of Father Sérgio Diz Nunes, sj.

To Stay

To Sustain

Throughout 2012, Casa Velha Project gave important steps for its sustainability. Following the experience of the past years and a deep reflection, in September was formally created the Casa Velha Association-Ecology and Spirituality, a non-profit association that gathers friends of Casa Velha from all ages, professional backgrounds and vocations. The year of 2013 will have the challenge to structure this “new Casa” solidifying principles and values, mission and working areas.

The ongoing works in Casa Velha, so important for all activities that do happen here, have also move forward during the year. First, the bathrooms at the haystack are almost done and a very much welcomed offer of mattresses helped to experiment what is expected to become the future hostel of Casa Velha. Secondly, by the time of Easter, the Chapel of Good Shepherd gained a new floor and door.

Finally, Casa Velha organized a Chrismas Sale at the Social Center of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to raise funds. The products, from teas, fruit jams to nativities, were prepared several months ahead of the sale with the help of “Atravessados” and other friends.

To Sustain

Casa Velha AssociationEcology and Spirituality

On the 4th of September of 2012, after more than a year and a half of preparations, the Casa Velha Association-Ecology and Spirituality was created with the wish to contribute for a better Human Development in the rural space, through

welcoming, a simple life experience, contact with the nature, community work and prayer. The first meeting of the Executive Board took place in Lisbon at the College of Sacred Heart of Jesus on the 29th of September. The first general assembly was also in Lisbon on the 19th of November and the logo of the association was first presented here by MindImage. The second general assembly will take place on the 12th of May of 2013 in Casa Velha with a shared lunch and a spiritual marathon until Fatima.

2012 Activities

0 200 400 600 800 1000

Adolescentes e jovens

Famílias

Geral

Jovens universitários

Jovens Univ. e profissionais

Profissionais

Religiosos

Total

Nº Participantes

Nº de Dias

Program Activities2012/ 2013

Nome da Actividade Data Descrição Responsáveis Público alvo

1 Parar para Arrancar 5-7 OutEncontro de Grupo de Aliadas (Schoensttat)

Francisca Sampaio Grupo de Aliadas

2Fim-de-semana de Atravessados

12-14 OutComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso

Marta Heleno aci, Margarida Alvim

Voluntários 2012/2013

3 Atravessar a Porta da Fé 03-NovTarde de reflexão partilhada sobre a Carta de Bento XVI para o Ano da Fé

P. Sérgio Diz Nunes sj/ Ir. Angela Coelho

Todos

4 Fim-de-semana de Noviços 9-11 Nov Apanha da azeitona, oração e descanso P. Gonçalo Castro Fonseca sj Noviços Jesuítas


23-25NovComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso



6Venda de Natal a favor da

Associação01-Dez

Venda de Natal realizada no Colégio das Escravas

Joana, Catarina e Francisca Alvim Todos

7 Dia de Espera/ Esperança 09-DezReunião da Direção da Associação, Preparação do Natal e Benção da Capela do Bom Pastor

Direção da Associação/ P. Vasco PM sj, Inês PC, Margarida

Todos

8 Passagem do Ano 28Dez-1 JanParar, avaliar e avançar para o novo ano, com sopas, descanso e oração

P.Sérgio Diz Nunes Amigos Casa Velha


4-6 JanComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso




15-17 FevComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso



11 Minicampo de trabalho LD 15-17 MarExperiência comunitária e de serviço no âmbito da formação dos voluntários

Formadores LD LD em formação

12 Minicampo de trabalho LD 22-24 MarExperiência comunitária e de serviço no âmbito da formação dos voluntários

Formadores LD LD em formaçãono âmbito da formação dos voluntários

13Celebração doDia Mundial da CVX

23-Mar450 anos das Comunidades Leigas Inacianas

Equipa Nacional CVX Membros da CVX

14 Páscoa Atravessada 27-31MarPáscoa comunitária em Missão no Vale Travesso

Equipa com famílias, amigos, Escravas e Jesuita

Atravessados e amigos

15 Porta da Fé, Porta da Vida 11-12 Abr Atividade da disciplina de EMRC Prof. Marta Valador Alunos do 6º e 7º ano


19-21 AbrComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso




10-12 MaioComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso



18 Fim-de-semana Carraças 17-18 Mai Preparação do Campo de Carraças Casais e animadores Equipa Carraças

19Exercícios Espirituais pé

descalço7Jun-10Jun

EE pé descalço para Atravessados, abertos a outros interessados


Atravessados e amigos

20 Chegou a hora Fds JunFds de colheitas e conservas (alperce, tomate, tília e ervas aromáticas)

Casa Velha Todos

21 Campo de Aliadas 28 Jun – 1 Jul Juv. Fem Schoenstatt Aliadas


5-7 JulComunidade de jovens voluntários em Missão na Casa Velha/ Vale Travesso



23 Aldoar 13-15 JulFim-de-semana com jovens do Bairro de Aldoar

Filipe Costa LimaGrupo de Aldoar , Porto

24 Do Espiritual do Desenho 19-21 JulDesenho criativo com momentos de partilha e reflexão

Estela Cameirão/ Mário e Keta Linhares

Todos

25 Chegou a hora Fds JulFds de colheitas e conservas (alperce, tomate, tília e ervas aromáticas)

Casa Velha Todos

26 Carraças 27 Jul-4Ago Retiro de jovens Casais e animadores Inscritos Carraças

27 SAIREF 31 Ago - 7 Set Férias ao contrário Casais e animadores Inscritos SAIREF

28 Campo Internacional ACI 10-20 Set Voluntariado, oração Marta Silva aciJovens Universitários Irlanda, Inglaterra, França, Itália, Espanha e Portugal

Nota: In green, activities organized by Casa Velha; in blue, activities to volunteers, in white, activities organized by others in Casa Velha

Challenges for 2013

Financial Report 2012January – September, before the constitution of the Association

Donations – 6495€

Activities revenues – 1230€

Investments (Haystack/Chapel/Vegetable garden) – 7697 €

- To Structure the Association

- Continue to improve infrastructure for accommodating groups

-sustainability: European Fund PRODER

-

- Applications for specific programs

CONTACTSHow to come to Casa Velha

Coordinates GPS WGS84 - 39º40’46’’.61N, 8º33’55’’.62O

By car: A1, saída Fátima, IC9, saída Caxarias/ Olival, Direção Caxarias, Vale Travesso, Rua da Escola, perto da EscolaBy train: Linha do Norte, Estação de Caxarias (7 min carro)

By bus: Fátima (20 min by car, 4h walking)

For more information:

Associação Casa Velha – Ecologia e EspiritualidadeQuinta da Casa Velha, Vale Travesso, 2490-715 OurémTel. +351 914511519 (Margarida), [email protected], http://www.facebook.com/projectoCasaVelhaNIPC 510 370 373NIB 0033.0000.45430443828.05/ IBAN PT50003300004543044382805 Millennium BCP

How to joinYou can join this project in your own way, with ideas, projects, work, resources ou simply by coming.

This is how this project has been growing, silently rooted in a space full of history and memories.

Lord Our GodLord Our God

We put in your hands this work of yours that is the Association

And also the life of each of us

Who, as your tools, help the Casa Velha to be

What you wish it to be – a meeting space: with ourselves, with the others, with You, with the Nature

Let it be a “space of hospitality that brings the soft and deep peace and rest rooted on Earth”

Let it be a “space that heal and regenerate us” and send us back anew

Let it be passage, “door of faith”, safe port, place of service

Let it be a “space where we experience the Love with which you embrace the world and talk to us through it”

Let it be “where Life is met”,So that we can learn the wisdom of time

And let us be transformed by You along the rhythm of the seasons,Welcoming the “wind that blows where it wants”

Let it increase in us the sense of belonging.

Please teach us to serve and “to give as a grace what we receive as a grace”

To be “responsible and committed with justice,Open to the other

Please God give us the grace to be faithfulTo the path that Your will is opening,In the certainty and confidence that

“The one who started this good work will take it to the end”Amen

19th November 2012

Who is who?!

Enjoy reading and see you next year!

casa velha activities report 2012

Documents

casa velha news

new pope francis

homily of pope francis

care forthe vocation

months of preparation

new infrastructures

set of activities

created world