We started planning this meeting in November 2009. Since then the preparation team met one time each two months - and sometimes monthly - to set the details of the meeting program. Over the meetings the small group of organizers was growing, and now forming a group of almost 20 people.
At first we had no idea how many people would participate in this gathering, nor their acceptance. But we were sure that we should put a good mark on the memory of all who participate in the meeting at that important date. With this feeling, from the start, the organizers, in a true team spirit, sought to realize the ideal of the day meeting.
To organize a meeting of this size is necessary that people make available as much of the time, the interests in favor of a greater cause, in favor of the whole family. In true teamwork is necessary that each plays its part with care and commitment, take your suggestion and know its position when it is necessary for the good of the whole. Working as a team, the organization was, without doubt, first, a deep learning period, training of leaders, after greater integration between people and families; narrowing family and friendship ties, even with people who do not bring with them the Carlesso surname.
Parallel to the whole organization of the meeting and the activities that were part of it, going on an arduous and valiant campaign for data collection to compose the family tree that contains currently 1770 people registered. Are dates, names, photos, documents, after completely assembled will be part of the Family Book. The most interesting of this is the welcome discovery of people and families who until then did not know being part of this family. People sometimes we crossed the street and never had the idea of a possible relationship, even distant. People in a respectful manner, and taking into account the surname of each, brotherly way very close relatives. Respecting the relationship that each one wants to have with Carlesso surname.
The day of the meeting began at 8 am with a visit to Line Cemetery Monte Berico. After prayer and chants began the ride to the city of Ilópolis. She came to appreciate the gaucho culture, without forgetting the Italian culture, it was built by our ancestors. There even heard reports of people who were born and raised in that area, but they did more than 20 years did not return to the place, amazed by the changes and advances of the time.
After the beautiful Mass in Italian at the Santuário São Paulo Apóstolo, participants of the reunion were treated to the familiar tasty lunch at CTG Querencia do Mate. In the afternoon followed varied program, ending the meeting at 17hs. The meeting, around 510 people, coming from 25 different cities (Ilópolis, Anta Gorda, Arvorezinha, Lajeado, Putinga, Santa Clara do Sul, Gravataí, Guaporé, Garibaldi, São Miguel do Oeste/SC, Caibi/SC, Pelotas, Muçum, Francisco Beltrão/PR, Rio de Janeiro/SC Boqueirão do Leão, Xanxerê/SC Barros Cassal, Porto Alegre, Venancio Aires, Santa Cruz do Sul, Dr. Ricardo, Encantado, São Leopoldo).
It is very nice to see people who for decades has not seen more and separated by distance, now meet again. People who did not know, now create and strengthen friendships. People thrilled to pay homage to grandparents, great-grandparents and great-grandparents. Thoughtful people looking to know an important part of its history, until that moment, unknown. People who return to their homeland and happily observe the changes in society.
Only by these simple facts we can certainly say that very much worth it hold this meeting in the certainty that a seed launched and that this seed, well cared for, will grow and strengthen our families, Italian culture and our society in the search for more respect, cooperation, overcoming the difficulties and family problems and the strengthening of family and cultural identity that we all inherited.
We want to thank again the bravery and persistence of all organization staff members who spared no efforts for this family gathering. The knights, corner teams and liturgy, Father Eleuterio Orsolin, Father Genoir Pieta Guaporé, board of St. Paul the Apostle Sanctuary Team CTG Querencia Mate, ornamental staff, civil and military authorities, the media, sponsors and finally all those who in one way or another contributed to this meeting could in fact be etched in the memory of all who participated. Would that it can meet its goals as has been fulfilling so far: to perpetuate the memory of ancestors, revive ties and family identity, promote Italian culture in today's society.
