Jovina Nevoleti
Correia:
“We have in our region
full participation of
all affiliated Spiritist
Centres”
The coordinator of the
Regional Spiritist Union
in the city of Dourados,
in Brazil’s Mato Grosso
do Sul state, talks
about the Spiritist
Movement in the region
 |
Jovina Nevoleti Correia
(photo), from
Dourados, in western
Mato Grosso do Sul
state, is a member of
the Administrative
Council of the state’s
Spiritist Federation and
coordinator of the
Regional Spiritist Union
in her city. She was
born into a Spiritist
family and works as a
volunteer at the Bezerra
de Menezes Spiritist
Centre. Jovina Correia,
a lawyer,
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gives us a broad
view of the Spiritist Movement in
the city and the region. |
First tell us a bit
about the city of
Dourados.
Dourados is the second
biggest city in Mato
Grosso do Sul. It is
considered a regional
economic centre. People
from more than 30
municipalities come to
Dourados to work and for
health, education and
other services. We also
have four universities.
The Dourados region has
the highest population
density in the state,
with one million
inhabitants. The economy
is based on soya
production, cattle
raising and, more
recently, sugar cane and
the production of
ethanol for fuel.
How many Spiritist
Centres are there in the
region?
The city of Dourados has
12 Spiritist Centres.
The Regional Spiritist
Union of Dourados covers
an area with 29
Spiritist Centres. The
first Spiritist Centre
in the city was the Amor
e Caridade (Love and
Charity), founded on
March 1st
1946.
What is the strategy for
disseminating the
Teachings in the city?
We have talks open to
the public; we have
Spiritist plays;
Spiritist Book Fairs;
articles published in
regional papers and
banners that we hang in
the street.
Do the local Spiritist
Centres get engaged in
the regional Spiritist
Movement?
Eight out of the 12
Spiritist Centres in the
city are affiliated to
the Spiritist Federation
of Mato Grosso do Sul
and play an active role
in the events organised
either by the Regional
Spiritist Union or the
Federation.
What are the main
Spiritist events in the
city?
The Spiritist Book Fair,
in April. We also have
talks and seminars in a
public space, in the
same month. In October,
we hold our Regional
Meeting. And every month
of July we have a play,
performed by the Theatre
Group Boa Nova, from the
state capital, Campo
Grande.
What do you think is the
main characteristic of
the Spiritist Movement
in Mato Grosso do Sul?
The dedication of those
in charge of the
Spiritist Federation,
who have been working
hard for the union of
all Spiritists and the
unification of the
Spiritist Movement.
Your final thoughts,
please.
It is very gratifying to
work in the Spiritist
Movement. It gives us
the opportunity to learn
continuously with our
brothers and sisters in
the Movement, with whom
we develop a fraternal
relationship that warms
our hearts and gives us
strength for new
challenges. Also, we
realise that we are part
of a network, that we
are not alone and
everyone can contribute
towards the great aim of
Spiritism, which is the
moral transformation of
humankind. However, we
know that transformation
has to begin inside us,
so we become better
workers in the fields of
Jesus and are able to
put his teachings into
practice. By working
with fellow Spiritists
we also learn that, in
spite of all flaws,
Jesus counts on us and
provides the opportunity
for constructive work.
That is a way of
ensuring that we can
make our part, giving
our contribution, albeit
small, in our community.
