Spiritist for 30 years,
Maria Claudia Cheberle
Moraes de Oliveira (photo)was
born and lives in Pocos
de Caldas (MG), where
she presides over the
Spiritist Group of the
Samaritans. Retired from
the Education
Department, she is a
post-graduate student in
Education. Her answers
offer a synthesis of the
active institution in
Minas Gerais.
When was the Spiritist
Group of Samaritans
founded?
It was founded on March
9, 1979, by a group of
ladies with knowledge of
the Spiritist Doctrine,
whose goal was to
improve souls and
spirits through study
and work meetings.
Where did the
inspiration for the name
of the institution come
from?
The name was inspired by
the Samaritan Spiritist
Group of Belo Horizonte.
What is its main focus
and profile?
By statute, the aim is
to study and live
Spiritism, propagating
unlimitedly its
doctrinal teachings in
accordance with the
Codification of Allan
Kardec and subsidiary
works; to promote the
practice of spiritual,
moral and material
charity, as well as
social assistance and
promotion.
How did your connection
with the institution
take place?
My connection with the
Group happened in 1988,
due to my simple
“curiosity” in knowing
the Spiritist Doctrine.
I started in the Basic
Course of the Spiritist
Doctrine and a little
later in the COEM.
From the doctrinal point
of view what main
actions characterize the
group?
Child Evangelization
Work and the Systematic
Study of the Spiritist
Doctrine.
In terms of integration
with the local Spiritist
movement, how does the
group act?
We try to be always
together, in a brotherly
friendship with other
groups and companions of
the Spiritist community.
With regard to social
action, tell us about
the activities that have
been carried out.
A weekly distribution of
vegetables/fruit and
soup/bread, in 4 main
priority districts; we
also take the spiritual
bread. There are also
courses of sewing,
embroidery, crochet, and
knitting. Mothers Club.
Preparation of pajamas
and children's clothes,
for children from 2 to
10 years old, which are
distributed to the needy
families, duly
registered. We have a
Project for Pregnant
women that offers on a
weekly basis, the Gospel
of Jesus and the laying
on of hands. The future
moms learn basic
principles of health,
preparation for
childbirth, postpartum,
breastfeeding/childcare
and a layette for baby.
Parallel to this work, a
mediumistic meeting
takes place where
Spirits in the process
of reincarnation
manifest and are guided
and enlightened. The
Soup House, a nucleus of
love and brotherhood
that extends material
and spiritual assistance
to the brothers in a
needy neighborhood.
Annual distribution of
blankets. Monthly food
baskets. Christmas
baskets. Also, dinners,
teas, bargain-fairs, and
craft bazaars.
About the work groups,
what would you like to
point out?
They are groups that
make an effort to study
and improve morals,
building and
illuminating our House
of love, of solidarity
and fraternity and raise
the Spiritist Doctrine.
From your memories
regarding your
activities, what is the
most striking one to
report to the readers?
What moved me most was
when, for the first
time, I was the
intermediary of a
Spiritist communication.
Anything else you would
like to add?
I would like to
highlight the ties of
solidarity and Christian
fraternity to all groups
and members of the
Spiritist community. We
seek to maintain unity
and uniformity of
doctrinal orientation,
in a harmonious action
in favor of the
elevation of the
Spiritist Doctrine.
Your final words.
I am happy to be linked
to and participate in
the activities of the
Spiritist Group
Samaritans / Poços de
Caldas; I am happy to be
studying this Doctrine
that comforts, consoles
and enhances us so much.
May I increasingly
devote myself to
Christian-Kardecist
principles, deepening my
studies, extending my
hands and my heart to
those who need caring,
and enlightenment.
Translation:
Eleni Frangatos - eleni.moreira@uol.com.br