The thought above is by our guest this week, Helena Bertoldo da Silva (photo), from the Brazilian city of Canoas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. She has a degree in Literature with specialisation in Youth Cultures. She comes from a Spiritist family and has played an important role at the Rio Grande do Sul Spiritist Federation, dealing with Religious Education and Family issues for many years.

Your book, A MENINA QUE VENCEU O MEDO (The Girl Who Conquered her Fear) was published earlier this year. Tell us a bit about it.

A MENINA QUE VENCEU O MEDO is a children’s book that is aimed at showing to children, parents and educators the importance of prayer and faith in God. Manu, the main character, is scared of thunderstorms and she conquers her fear after being encouraged by her loving grandmother to pray. You can buy the book via phone number + 55 51 984003219 or via the website www.livrariaespirita.org.br.

What role do you think should Spiritist Centres have?

The main aim of Spiritist Centres is to welcome, comfort, enlighten and guide those who come through the door. Some may arrive in pain and suffering, looking for consolation. Others will be moved by curiosity, eager to find out more or to study the Spiritist Teachings. Humankind is going through an important transition phase, in which Spiritist Centres are like the arms of Jesus on Earth. That is the place where the pains of this world will be consoled and where the souls will receive enlightening information. More and more people have been looking for Spiritist Centres. Most of them are seeking guidance on how to deal with the pain and suffering in their lives. The directors and volunteer workers at Spiritist Centres must be qualified to deal with that task.

Do you think Spiritist Centres pay the due attention to the religious education of children?

Every Spiritist Centre encourages, somehow, religious education programmes. But there will be even more enthusiasm for such projects when directors and educators develop full awareness of their importance. We should bear in mind the thought of Francisco Spinelli: “A child is the smile of future on the face of the present. To teach the Gospel to that child amounts to developing a spirituality in the future, providing that child with the clear and pure message of Christianity, so that the Teachings of Christ will be alive and will be put into practice in future generations.”

What is the main challenge faced by the Spiritist Movement?

I think one of the biggest challenges we face is to fully understand and then to put into practice the principles of Spiritism and the Gospel of Christ. We also need to improve the training of Spiritist volunteer workers, to encourage the union of Spiritist and the participation of all Spiritist Centres in activities gathering the whole Spiritist Movement. As Emmanuel said: “A united Spiritist Movement will not be a reality unless we unite ourselves. It will be pointless to teach love if we are not able to love one another. We won’t elevate Spiritism if we don’t elevate ourselves. Let’s learn to work on our faults so that the collective spirit prevails, linking us to divine inspiration. Unity, for us, must be about improving, growing and enlightening.”

What are the essential aspects for us to live together well as Christians?

We must find more time for God in our everyday lives. In other words, we must make a concerted effort to develop the moral values we need to achieve our inner reform. And must do that through prayer, reading, daily mediation and by reflecting on the goals of our current incarnation.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes. I would like to emphasize the importance of studying Spiritism in a consistent manner, so that we are able to make an assessment of our level of spiritual development and what Christ expects from us.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

May Jesus bless us and give us the strength we need to overcome our challenges and to leave behind the vices of our past, which is marked by a succession of errors, in order to become a new person. We will then understand that we depend solely on our efforts to make the changes we need for our journey.

We need to realise that we are not alone during our personal battles, as God, the Creator of the Universe, always looks after us and encourages us by providing us with inspiration and the protection of the Spiritual Benefactors.

Peace in all hearts.