Spring 2026 newsletter
James Pawlowicz, Brazil
Brothers and sisters,
At the time of writing this, I’ve been in my mission country for one week. While all the rest of my cohort arrived in their respective countries in early January, I was held up by issues with my visa application. Since language school (my first major assignment in-country) doesn’t begin until March, the delay was a challenge but not a catastrophe. I used the time to wrap up many things stateside, continue studying Portuguese independently, and cultivate a spirit of patience. It was a blessed time of peace, prayer, community, and snow.
James diligently studies Portuguese while waiting for news about his visa.
Once my visa arrived, there was no reason to wait. I booked my flights for the next day and arrived in Brazil on Feb. 14. Maryknoll Lay Missioners has a presence in two cities in Brazil: São Paulo and João Pessoa. I am assigned to João Pessoa, but I visited São Paulo for a few days first. The “mega city” was inviting: orchids and ferns abounded, there were diverse and limitless places to explore, and the metro system was clean and easy to navigate. Joanne, the lay missioner there, had ministry work abroad, but I got to accompany Maryknoll Father Dennis to two of the small Christian communities for which he says mass on Sundays. I also did some touring and exploring. Highlights include all the birds I saw at Ibirapuera Park (beginning with what may have been a pale-crested woodpecker) and the outstanding views from the observation deck of the Farol Santander building. You can’t tell how big São Paulo is from the ground, but from a height you can see that the urban density stretches nearly from horizon to horizon.
Another place which touched me was the Igreja Santa Cruz das Almas dos Enforcados (Church of the Holy Cross of the Souls of the Hanged), a church in which one could pray for those who had been executed in the adjacent public square, or for anyone in a like situation.
São Paulo is a beautiful city.
Given my novice level of Portuguese, I had plenty of moments of participating in things I didn’t understand. For example, the time I thought I was getting a roll and some eggplant salad, and instead got a tasty eggplant salad sandwich! Another time, at daily mass, everyone in the pews went forward in line to be sprinkled by the priest with (I assume) holy water.
Did I know what was happening? No. Did I go forward to receive a mystery blessing? You bet!
I finally arrived in João Pessoa two days ago. My first impression, if I’m being honest, is that it’s hot. It’s not hotter than I’ve experienced in Maryland/DC, but it’s exhausting me. I trust I will adjust with time! I’m here for two and a half more weeks before I head off to language school. In that time, I will visit some of the local ministries that the local missioners, Kathy and Flavio, are involved in or that I might get involved in. I’ll also get to know more about João Pessoa and the people here.
James visits the Cathedral
God continues to lead me like a child. On Thursday, I showed up for daily mass (usually 20-30 minutes) and got a two-hour parish Lenten service instead. I was tired and hungry and sweaty, but I was also present and grateful. In the midst of the mass, everyone in the pews went forward in line.
Did I know what was happening? No. Did I go forward? You bet! I received an anointing with oil on my hands and my head.
In these very first days of my mission, God has reminded me that his invitation was and is to follow him. Nothing more, nothing less. So I continue to look, listen, and follow, knowing that God will work all things for good.
Peace in Christ,
James
