A Spiritist since 1984, Donizette Alencar de Carvalho (photo) was born in Muzambinho and lives in Guaxupé, both cities in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. He is an accountant and businessman and works as a volunteer at the Nova Era and Comunidade Chico Xavier Spiritist Centres.

In this interview, Donizette talks about the 10^th Chico Xavier Annual Meeting, an event created by Ismael Batista da Silva, who passed away last year. With his death, Donizette has taken over the organisation with the event along with a dedicated team of volunteers.

When will the event take place?

The tenth edition of the Chico Xavier Meeting should have taken place in Guaxupé in July 2018, but we had to postpone it after our beloved Ismael passed away. It will take place from 26^th to 28^th July. Everyone is invited and we will pay our respects to Ismael at the event. His death has left a void in the city, for all his charity work. But, more than anything else, he has left an example, prompting us to follow his guidelines.

What impact has the Chico Xavier Annual Meeting had in the city in its nine previous editions?

This event hasn’t had in Guaxupé and surrounding cities the recognition it should have. I’m glad to say that there aren’t any local rivalries between Spiritist Groups and that we work in perfect harmony. But we welcome here caravans coming from up to 800km away, while fewer people living 20, 30 or 40km away attend the event every year. I think people in our region should get more engaged. But I’m sure that will change one day!

Ismael put together a team and encouraged groups from many cities to come and take part in this event. Are you managing to get the same response without his physical presence?

True friends will remain as friends and I’m sure they will accept the invitation from Ismael, who remains linked to us even though he’s not physically here.

As a member of the organising team, what is your assessment and expectations for 2019?

Everything is ready for this to be “Ismael’s” Meeting. We will get together and celebrate together, in name of the friendship we have built. And together we will pay tribute to our beloved brother, taking part in the first event after he passed away.

Where can we find information about the programme and the registration process for the event?

The event will take place at the Barão de Guaxupé School. The website for those who want to register isencurtador.com.br/ceTW8. There will be 500 places available per day and the event is free of charge. The only cost will be to pay for lunch, 25 reais.

What is your strongest memory of Ismael?

We were quite close for many years. The strongest memory I have of Ismael is of his human profile, the fact that he always played huge importance to friendships… That is why we will always disseminate one of his thoughts: “The biggest treasure people living in the material world can get is gathering friends”.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I appreciate deeply God and Jesus for providing me with the opportunity of meeting and learning with Ismael and all his friends, who became my friends too. Learning to serve, in the company of a friend, will certainly make us better people. I must also thank my friends at the Comunidade Chico Xavier, Nova Era Spiritist Centre and Obreiros do Senhor Spiritist Group (my first Spiritist Centre in Guaxupé) for bringing me to where I am now. May God be always we us, may Jesus bless us. Thank you very much to everyone! Light and peace!