Cuenca (Ecuador). In February 2021, the Fiscomisional Educational Unit “Sr. Teresa Valsé” of the FMA of Mary Help of Christians Community of Cuenca, Sacred Heart Province (ECU), celebrated 60 years of pastoral educational service (1961-2021).
“We are the fruit of abundant sowing”. This is the slogan that accompanied the activities in preparation for the celebration of this event which involved all school levels, from primary school children to young people in technical training. The allegory of sowing and harvesting represents life, which is a succession of seeds and fruits that have now become a tree that welcomes, gives shade, and is a source of hope.
In February 1961, the government of Ecuador formalized the foundation of Sr. Teresa Valsé School, which under the direction of Sr. Clemencia Delgado, FMA, began its Salesian formative work of educating by evangelizing and evangelizing by educating, in the style of the Preventive System, addressing the girls, especially from the working classes. Over time, the formation offered was completed with the addition of the different school grades and a course for secretaries.
From 23 to 25 February, the Educating Community prepared for the celebratory day through an online Triduum on the Facebook Page, in which the historical steps of the Educational Unit from its origins to today were retraced, and the values of the Charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello transmitted every day in school and through pastoral activities were shown.
The official celebrations of the 60th anniversary took place on the day of 26 February 2021 in online mode, with the Eucharistic celebration of thanksgiving and the celebratory time, which saw the alternation of various interventions: by the Provincial of the ECU Province, Sr. Cruz María Piña P.; by regional and governmental authorities, former Directors, FMA, representatives of the Parents’ Committee, Students of the Student Council, teaching, administrative, and support staff, alumni, animators of the Corazón de María Oratory, and others.
With a grateful look to the past, a firm commitment to the challenges of the present, and hope for the future, the Educating Community of the Fiscomisional “Sr. Teresa Valsé” Educational Unit continues its service of offering an education that forms for life, to give good Christians and honest citizens to the Church and to society.
