Another Trip to Piura

I will lead 13 other parishioners from St. Monica to Piura in June. We will leave June 13 and return on the 22nd. Some or the missionaries are going for the first time while others of will be returning for more grace from our Peruvian brothers and sisters. We are basically ready to leave and and are now just counting the days.

Video Used at Santisimo Sacramento Staff Retreat

Fr. Joe used this video at the March 5 staff retreat and he said that it was a very emotional moment for 30 staff members in the retreat.

Family needs to be sponsored

The Alberto and Hortelia Perez family needs you to sponsor them by providing $30 per month to help with their food needs. The parents are about 30 and have four children from 2 to 11 years old. Hortelia is four months pregnant. They do not have electricity and cook with charcoal. Alberto rents a motorcycle and earns about $2 per day. Contact Deacon Lee for more details.

Back home

The four of us returned home safely after a half-day delay in Lima due to an exploding volcano just north of Peru in Ecuador. I was very much missed by my wife and granddaughter who is nearing 3 years old. She told me, "Papa. don't ever do that again." I swallowed very hard when she said that.

There have been some very rainy nights in Piura since returning and I have great compassion for the many families I visited who had no roof, a partial roof, or an entire but leaky roof.

I have had time to reflect on the Santa Monica Chapel that our Edmond parish built and continues to support. The link summarizes the ongoing project.

Much remains to be done, yet we already have accomplished so much.

Photo of chapel.

Day 30: Rehab, orphanage, and out of here

This morning we had a early breakfast as a treat of the parish. We went to a nice hotel and I actually had scrambled eggs.

After a short interlude with my family, it was off to the drug rehab, Vida Nueva, where I did a liturgy of the word service. I preached on the day’s scripture reading where Jesus had to suffer and explained that this is part of the human condition. I left them in group discussions to go to the orphanage.

We met Fr. Joe at the orphanage where I helped at Mass for the orphans. I hope my lips are okay after all the kisses. We toured their facility, had cake and a drink and were then off to lunch.

Again, the staff treated us to a nice lunch. We are now packing our suitcases for the long trip home.

What a month! Would I do it again? You bet! But, my wife will have her input.

Peace!

Photo: a kitchen in a village

Day 29: Communion to home bound, food packages, and last family

This morning I took Communion to the same people in Palo Parado and San Jacinto villages. They seemed glad to see me again. I am still astounded by the time warp between here and where I live. Photos and words cannot do justice. You have to come and see yourself.

In the afternoon we took February food packages to St. Monica families. We not have the original $25 packet that contains less than the new $30 packet. The dollar buys much less here in Peru than six months ago.

We visited the last St. Monica sponsored family. A single mom and two children are living in a 10 x 10 foot house – a bedroom with one bed for the 25-year-old mom and her two children. The dad died.

The one Ash Wednesday Mass here in the parish was packed, with most pews filled an hour before Mass began. After Mass we discussed how someone who only has one meal a day fasts.

There may not be a Day 30 unless I write it on the plane.

Photo: taking a break with my goddaughter, Mileny, during food distribution

Day 28: More families and Mardi Gras

We finished visiting all families except for one we hope to get on Wednesday. Again, we saw families with almost nothing and some better off, but still very materially poor.

We leave Thursday evening and the day is already filling up. The guys at the rehab want to see me once more so I had to prepare a homily to go with the liturgy of the word. I could adlib in English, but not in Spanish.

Immediately after the rehab Fr. Joe and I are going to the orphanage for a Mass for the girls.

Last night was Mardi Gras for the staff. The meal was great and the fun was even better. The staff here is great and supporting and they do have fun.

I was late for the party because I had to help with marriage counseling with a family I know. Most of the Spanish flew by me, but I did get to say some things that I thought would help. Some new photos are available via the sidebar link.

Photo: a painting on the wall of the “narthex” by a famous local painter who died 18 months ago, but who trained others who use his technique.