A house with open doors where many will come and from where many will leave, having experienced God’s mercy which can transform lives. This is the Church of The Risen One Who went through the Cross that is being built at Shalom Catholic Community’s headquarters in Aquiraz, metropolitan area of Fortaleza city, Brazil.
Sand and metal so far. Soon there will be stones, later wood. Elements found in nature little by little being mixed to others found in human being: strength, reason, faith. All of its elements are of great importance to build the Shalom Community’s Church of The Risen One Who went through the Cross in an area of 2.216m².
The project has environmental guidelines to provide comfort and energy efficiency. Four stages have been completed so far. The fifth stage, consisting in the assembly of metal structure of the building walls is being done now and should end by March.
The work
The church is being built thanks to the commitment and generous donations of people who believe in building a better world by giving their hearts to Jesus Christ. Here lies the importance of another element besides nature and human aspect: the Divine, that is, God’s providence.
The church will be 26 meters tall and will be able to accommodate up to a thousand people. The structure will include confessionaries, open area, food parking and toilets facilities. The work is signed by engineers José Simões, Rolim Machado and Sérgio Barros. “In March, we will finish the brickwork structure and then start the limestone, stones and granite installation”, assures Simões.
The venue
The church is being built at the Diaconia, the head office of Shalom Community’s General Government where many different departments and advisories take place, all linked directly to its General Moderator. It is located in the city of Aquiraz, 27km from Fortaleza city, capital of Ceara State, Brazil. The place is known as the heart of Shalom Work as it is from there that all its missionary houses throughout the world are assisted including works associated with the youth, human promotion and missionary members.
Diaconia comes from Greek “διακονία” which means ministry, a service done out of love, without constraint and in perfect harmony with Christ’ teachings. The name of Shalom’s headquarters was suggested by Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, on the occasion of his visit in 2006.
The people
The Church of The Risen One Who went through the Cross is the first one built by Shalom Community. Founded in 1982 in Fortaleza city, the Community received pontifical recognition in 2007 and had its Statutes definitively approved by the Holy See in 2012. By recognizing it, the Holy See is saying that Shalom Catholic Community has an authentic contribution for the evangelization of the peoples, for the formation of God’s children and for the holiness of its faithful throughout the world today.
Although is still being under construction, Moyses Azevedo, founder of Shalom Community, has stated: “This church has already been site for Eucharistic celebrations and will be a sign of the Charisma Shalom for the whole world. It will be a house with open doors where many will come and from where many will go as it is from this church that we will send away many missionaries to the world”.
On the 30th anniversary of the Community and final approval of its Statutes, Pope Benedict XVI sent once again on mission the missionary member of Shalom Community. It is to this mandate that Moyses always refers to. “I accompany you with my prayers and my blessing so you can be joyful instruments of God’s love and mercy to all those that you find in your missionary endeavour”, said the pontiff in 2012. This is the people who will come to the church and will experience God.
God
There is still work to be done in order to conclude the construction. Coating and finishing stages are perhaps the most expected for those who are following the work closely. However, watching the main structure, ceiling and metal beams from afar already gives a glimpse of the church’s features. In the house of God, built in the Jubilee Year, we have no doubt that the image we wish to show is the most beautiful one: the face of mercy.
Lent and Easter is most of all a time of mercy. In this way, we want to enter Divine’s mystery. In this proper time of conversion, help us to build this temple which can be “the church of someone’s life”, for the glory of God!
Donation forms and contacts:
Banco do Brasil A: 1292-0 C/C: 20.408-0
Shalom Association CNPJ: 07.044.456/0001-00
comshalom.org/igreja
igreja@comshalom.org
Phone: +55 85 3308.7407
WhatsApp +55 85 99959.0832