LETTER FROM PERU.

CARABAYLLO, LIMA CITY: MARCH 2009

jsfhart@googlemail.com         http://www.youtube.com/darcaravideo

Thankfully it is not every day that I am told that the police have come looking for me, and end up on national telly. Two officers were at the railings to ask a favour. As I am not in the habit of refusing the requests of armed women, I soon found myself driving the length of the parish escorted by motorcycle outriders. One of the transport police had discovered a lady of 105 years living on the side of the road in a tiny lean-to whose roof had fallen onto the dirt floor. The local officers banded together to improve her lot, giving up their time to erect a new tin roof and sort out the loo. They needed me to bless the lady in her improved accommodation and congratulate  the police who were over the moon with their action.

A government minister, various dignities and worthies, chiefs of police, 150 uniformed officers and the traffic warden brass band were encouraged by an enthusiastic crowd. Amidst it all, I found the bewildered lady being spooned chicken and rice. Putting on alb and stole I prayed aloud that the Lord extend His Benediction over the poor lady in her newly whitewashed little one roomed home, over the Police, and to the Great and the Good. Speeches then were made by all. They say we made the ten o’clock news - surely a slow news day…

Life is full and varied, each day a mixture of joy and exasperation. Lima is enjoying a long summer complemented perfectly by the sounds of the city. The parish is on a busy road leading up to the gold mine and stone quarries in the mountains. Heavily laden trucks bounce down to fight for advantage with the buses, combis (minibuses), auto rickshaws and the countless thousands of school children filing their way between class and home. The market over the road extends a kilometre, feeding the 150,000 or so ‘parishioners’. It sells everything from fresh fish to footballs; herbal remedies made from ‘curative’ leaves, to pieces of python and sophisticated electronic gadgets with ‘only one previous but careless owner’. We are opposite the local police station, where the taxi drivers and street gangs mingle against the wall. Every couple of weeks the free lance evangelicals set up shop in the middle of the highway, with such loud and repetitive music until 4 am that it is tempting to convert to anything. The parish is a city in its own right, with its own mayor, football pitches and temple. Busy and exhilarating.

The last few weeks have seen a number of projects taking shape which are making a real difference to the parish and parishioner’s lives. American friends Rick and Sally stayed in the parish a number of weeks around Christmas time. As I carried on with the work of the parish, they dedicated themselves to the video project that many of you will have seen.

Their time and work would normally have cost a great deal but they gave it freely to Leeds and Society of Saint James parishes here and in Ecuador. Fantastic company, they helped to unravel the mysteries of USA democracy as well as American football and baseball. Through their skills behind the lens and great ability to allow people tell their story, they offered a wonderful opportunity to show something of the Mission here, not only in Carabayllo but of our Mercy Sisters’ work down the road. Sr. Millie coordinates the life saving efforts of over seventy city clinics, whilst Rose, Rita and Elizabeth’s workshops and community groups do so much to encourage people in their faith and raise personal self esteem, especially of women in their area.

None of us forget the spiritual strength we get from the Diocese and from our friends elsewhere. Your prayers massively contribute to the work here. The video is really paying off, with a good number of individuals, parishes and schools showing a keen interest in supporting the Leeds Peru Mission.  To you especially, thank you so much.

A constant challenge is to utter passable Spanish yet there are times when the effort seems to pay off. In early February you would have found me resident for an intensive week long theology conference. The main speaker was Father Gustavo Gutierrez. He is famous for his book, ‘The Theology of Liberation’ and for coining the phrase ‘preferential option for the poor’, now used in a number of official church documents. Loved and loathed in equal proportion by different wings of the church and bishops in Latin America, Gustavo currently lives with the Dominicans in France. Now 80, he came back to Peru to offer his insights into the works of Saints Mark and Paul, using my old foes of form and redaction criticism. Gustavo was amazing to listen to, with his command of theology, great humour and enormous energy. Monday night I offered to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation with some sisters. Word spread and I found myself main celebrant, preaching off the cuff to a full chapel, including theologians from Spain and all over South America. Well, you’ve got to start somewhere! Friendships have led to visits to parishes, communities of lay people and religious, and invitations to travel further afield.

During the Saint James Society AGM, fellow Leeds priest, Rev Donal O’Leary offered rich spiritual focus and insight. Later, I was asked to accompany Donal to Cusco, high up in the Andes where we spent two days exploring Incan sites in the Sacred Valley. A rich  pilgrimage route for centuries, the culture which arrived from the east by ship came to dominate a highly spiritual and sophisticated society. They also had used their agricultural, architectural and artistic skills in worship of the Lord. The depth of Inca wisdom of nature and the divine is only now coming to light.

After a couple of weeks in talking shops it was good to return to the parish where the schools were opening up again after the two month summer break. The catechetical programmes, attended by hundreds, will get underway once more. These are led by over one hundred and twenty trained lay leaders who do so much to bring our faith to life.

At last we are starting work on the church. In response to an appeal made before Lent that people give up a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon to help clean and paint, well over one hundred have responded. We work very hard - cutting back overhanging vines full of dangerous spiders, sanding down benches ready for varnishing and undercoating walls and doors.

Soon, we will work on new lighting and a sound systems. Already there is a visible difference with people keen to press on and achieve a brighter environment in which to celebrate Easter. The shrubs we have planted around the place struggle with the burning midday sun but each survivor makes a difference in this dusty place. I have promised the parishioners a little patch of jungle in the desert. Too far? We aim high!

Without doubt, my work in the parish and so much of what I can do here to benefit the lives of parishioners is possible only as a result of your generosity.

Thanks to you especially who have sent donations directly or have supported the appeals of the Peru Commission. Without you we could not have:

Started the work in the church – restoring over one hundred benches,

Begun repairing and painting inside and outside a church which seats 800,

Purchased new missals, lectionaries, resources and banners,

Designed, commissioned and paid for new altars, lecterns & chairs,

Bought a new custom built sacristy,

Given guitars and musical instruments and sought lessons to young members,

Taken thirty youth catechists on a day of reflection,

Led twenty five Catholic teachers on a residential retreat,

Sent dozens to Diocesan workshops,

Provided diaries and daily Gospel readers to over 120 catechists and ministers,

Maintained a vehicle,

Paid for funerals, and made visits to the sick at home and in hospital,

Funded university and school education.

Started planning for the future!

Everything is making a difference, thanks to the Lord and your efforts.

Our focus is now on how best to celebrate the Day of our Salvation.

Palm Sunday and Good Friday will be marked by long processions,

and hundreds will come to hear the Gospel accounts afresh.

It is an exciting time for us all, bringing witness to God’s love to new listeners.

In our prayers we remember you. We ask the Lord that your intentions be honoured. Please pray for us too at the northern extremity of Lima City.

¡Felices Pascuas!  Happy Easter, One and All!

Father Jonathan & the parishioners of Cristo, Luz del Mundo.