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A sandal, a candle, a petal, a chrysalis, an Oblate cross, a sign saying God is faithful, an autumn leaf and branch, and a clock. These symbols captured the experience of the participants of the General Committee of Oblate Brothers. The meeting held at the General House on 1-5 December 2014 was attended by the Brothers representing the various Regions of the Congregation as well as the members of the Mission Committee of the Central Government. The participants were: Brothers Jean-Marie DIAKANOU (Cameroun, Region of Africa-Madagascar); Noel GARCIA (Philippines, Region of Asia-Oceania); Rafal DABKOWSKI (Poland, Region of Europe); and Thomas NOVAK (OMI Lacombe, Region of Canada-United States).

On 30 November 2014, Msgr. Lucio ALFERT, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Pilcomayo, celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Caacupé, for the third day of a novena in preparation for the feast of the Virgin, patron saint of Paraguay. During his homily, the Bishop spoke forcefully of the situation of indigenous peoples, who are discriminated against and excluded from their land, while in the past even the capital and the metropolitan area belonged to them. He then expressed his deep regret because the natives who arrive in the capital often fall into addiction and are sexually exploited.