 |
MARCH 2007
Sister Angela Mary Carey, known for her work with underprivileged youths in São Paulo, Brazil, participated in a March 9 round-table discussion that drew U.S. President George W. Bush during his five-country trip to Latin America. Sister Angela Mary was invited to take part in the discussion by Christopher J. McMullen, U.S. general consul in São Paulo. She was the only American, the only woman and the sole member of a religious congregation among the representatives of the nongovernmental organizations involved in the round table, which was held at a community center. U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel and his wife, Barbara, also were in attendance. Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, sat down for 40 minutes with the nongovernmental representatives, all of whom work in a variety of arenas to encourage the observance of human rights and improve the welfare of the disadvantaged. Bush told those seated around him, “Laura and I are so thrilled to be in Brazil.... I love the fact that there are people who are deeply concerned about the plight of the least of us ... being part of that social fabric that helps heal the broken heart and provides hope for the future.” During the discussion Sister Angela Mary described the mission of her organization, known in Portuguese as Projeto Sol (Project Sun). “Mr. President, Project Sun is based on the objective to transform the lives of young people—imbued with a profound faith in God—through exposure to the fine arts, theater, dance and sports,” she said. “This experience of beauty leads to the ultimate beautiful, which is God.” The president asked her about funding for the work she does with more than 200 youngsters. “We rely totally for support from donations,” she replied. “In God we trust,” she added, a reference to the motto on U.S. currency. Bush replied, “Thank you for the life you give. I’m so honored to be with you all. We’re all members of God’s family.... When one of us hurts, we also hurt. The people of the United States care.” A Chicago native, Sister Angela Mary has worked in Brazil since 1965. She first was a teacher at a high school in an upper middle-class neighborhood, then in 1976 began working in youth ministry at a parish in a poor area. Project Sun is an umbrella organization for the Center for the Guidance and Education of Youth, founded in 1978 by Sister Angela Mary and a sociologist, Luis Carlos Santos, in a São Paulo favela, or slum. The center helps children stay away from violence and drugs by offering ballet classes, theater workshops and a soccer program. In 1998 Sister Angela Mary received the honorary title of citizen of São Paulo in recognition of her ministry. After the round-table discussion with Bush concluded, the group was joined by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. According to the Catholic Explorer, newspaper of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, Sister Angela Mary said Rice approached her and said, “I understand you are from Notre Dame. I got my MBA there in ’75-’76.” Sister Angela Mary told Rice she, too, was on campus at that time, doing graduate studies in theology. Earlier, the president, who was in Latin America March 8–14, declined to comment when Sister Angela Mary asked him if he was a Notre Dame football fan. “I’m not going to commit myself,” he said with a grin. Copyright © 2007 Catholic News Service * * * |
