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Valdereis Lopes Teixeira
de Godoy (photo)
was born and brought up
as a Spiritist in
Ibitinga, in the state
of São Paulo. She is now
retired as a teacher and
well known for her
dedicated volunteer work
at the Spiritist Centre
Francis of Assisi Love
and Charity and a number
of other charity
organisations in the
city. She is also a
member of the city’s
Committee on Childcare.
In this interview, she
shares her thoughts
about the development of
the Spiritist Movement
in the region:
You are in charge of the
Spiritist Centre Francis
of Assisi Love and
Charity. When was it
founded?
It was on November 25th
1929, by a group led by
Mr Antonio Ambrizi.
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The fact that knitting
has become such an
important feature in the
city’s economy has
interfered in any way in
the development of
Spiritism locally? |
Yes, I believe so. There
is in Ibitinga a drive
for material things, due
to the economic success
of its knitting
activities, and many
come to Spiritism in
order to deal with their
depression, their doubts
and existential
emptiness, looking also
for the rational
religiosity that
Spiritism provides.
How many people
typically attend your
meetings?
The healing sessions
are, as expected, the
most popular, with 100
to 120 people attending
each time. In the
mediumship meetings, we
have small groups, as it
must be. In our study
groups, the numbers vary
quite a bit.
Does the Spiritist
Centre organise regular
courses?
Yes, we have courses on
all the works of Kardec,
which brought the
Codification of
Spiritism (The
Spirits’ Book; The
Mediums’ Book; The
Gospel According to
Spiritism; Genesis;
Heaven and Hell; and
Posthumous Works).
We also organise
self-help courses, based
on well-known Spiritist
books by Divaldo Franco
and others and we have
our regular
evangelisation courses
for children and young
people. Our plans for
this year are to
organise 14 courses. A
Spiritist Centre as we
understand it is a
school first, and then a
hospital.
Your Spiritist Centre
has taken part in
educational programmes
set up by the city
council’s authorities.
What was the impact of
that integration to the
activities inside the
Centre?
That had a marvellous
impact. We know, after
all, that good must be
shared wherever we are.
We are very happy for
enjoying the respect and
gratitude of all our
brothers and sisters.
You also have a busy
schedule of public
lectures and speeches,
particular in November,
when every year you
celebrate the Centre’s
anniversary. What
results and feedback
have you had from this
particular programme?
Spiritism enlightens,
strengthens and light up
our lives. Yes, we host
monthly events, with
well-known Spiritist
speakers who have a
special way of touching
hearts and souls, who
are able to disseminate
the teachings, highlight
the importance of doing
good and at the same
time help to boost
people’s self esteem.
Some 100 to 150 people
attend to each of those
events every month.
Tell us a bit more about
your cooperation with
programmes set up by the
local authorities.
Due to my previous work
as a teacher and
Education and Social
Development Secretary in
the city, I always
enjoyed the respect of
the people of Ibitinga.
We know work as
volunteers in a number
of social activities,
under the guidance of
the local authorities.
You were honoured
recently with a special
ceremony at the City
Council. In your speech,
which was very well
received by all the
public, you spoke of
Jesus. How did you feel
when you were up there
addressing the mayor and
everyone else?
It was a great honour
indeed to be presented
with the title of
“Ibitinga Woman of the
Year 2010.” In my
address, I spoke of the
talents we all have and
that we must put into
good use, based of
course in the Parable of
the Talents by our
beloved Master Jesus.
What particular event or
aspect you would like to
highlight from your vast
experience in Spiritism
and in the encouragement
of human development in
general?
Most of all the
magnificent example set
by my parents, Joaquim
Gonçalves Lopes and
Genésia Beraldo Lopes,
simple working class
people and devout
Spiritists who were the
basis for all my
development. And I must
also thank my husband of
56 years, Geraldo
Teixeira de Godoy, for
the freedom and
dedication I’ve always
enjoyed to work as a
volunteer for the cause
of Spiritism. Our
beloved children,
children-in-law and
grandchildren have also
played a very important
part in the happy life
we’ve enjoyed.
Is there anything else
you would like to add?
Yes. I must thank God,
above all, who is
magnanimous, good and
fair; Jesus, the Master,
the Model, the Guide;
Spiritism, the Promised
Consoler; and all of
those who contributed
and contributed for my
spiritual development,
as I am very happy
indeed and quite happy
with what I’ve achieved.
