El ChasquiPerù MSSP Mission Newsletter – January 2011

Hello everyone. The Chasqui (postman) is back!

The Canonical Visit

Fr. Bernard Mangion and Fr. Mario Micallef landed in Lima on the 29th of December 2010. They stayed for some days in Lima visiting

the Formation House and the Parish of Pando. Then, on the 5th January they flew to Arequipa where they were welcomed by a fairly big crowd carrying colorful balloons and flags. They spent the rest of their stay visiting all the parishes in Arequipa and Aplao. They joined us for

our annual retreat as well. We paid a visit to the Archbishop of Arequipa, Mgr Javier del Rio Alba. He showed his appreciation for all the work being done here by our missionaries. The canonical visit will come to an end on the 28th January with Fathers Bernard and Mario heading to Toronto.

New appointments

Congratulations to Fr. Nicholas Schembri on being appointed Parish Priest of Buenos Aires (Parroquia San Pablo) with Fr. Pedro Arotaipe as the Vicar parish priest. Fr. Nicholas has already big projects for this parish!! Keep up the good work and good luck to both of you Kola and Pedro.

Fr. Reginio Bolivar is the Superior of the community in the Parish of Pando (Lima). We have a new community there with Fr. Marcel

being the parish priest and Fr. Victor Livori (helping in the Obras Misionales Pontificias – Lima).Fr. Teo will be joining Fr. Mario Ramos at the Formation House in Lima. He will be participating in a special course in Lima during this year besides helping Fr. Mario in Formation.

Fr. Alex Busuttil is the superior of the Belaunde community. Fr. Alex is also the parish priest of Beata Teresa de Calcuta´s parish. The community there is made up of Fr. Salomon Cruzado and Fr. Frank Cortis. Thanks to Fr. Frank for serving there as the superior for the past 3 years, a mission very well done. Fr. Frank will still be in charge of the orphanage (with 54 children) for the next 3 years.

Fr. Salomon will be pastorally in charge of St. Catalina and also St. Theresa while being the vocations promoter here in Peru.

Fr. Manuel Parnis is the Vicar in Aplao, helping Fr. George Scerri (parish priest) and he is already forming part of that community.

Annual Retreat

We had our annual retreat between the 10th

and the 14th of January. It was directed by Fr. Kevin Flaherty S.J. and was held in a place called Chilina, a heavenly touch on earth.  It was a huge opportunity of spiritual growth for all the

members.

Vigil for the repose of the soul of Bro. Joe Bonett

We were still doing our retreat, when on Thursday morning the 13 th

January, we received the sad news that Bro. Joseph Bonett had died. We dedicated quite a long time that night sharing our memories and praying for the repose of his soul. It was a very personal and touching experience sharing all our memories of him. Thanks to Fr. Bernard Mangion, for initiating and helping us with this exercise.

Vocational Experience

The end of January is very interesting for us missionary here in Peru. At this time every year we have our annual appointments of vocational experience. We invite some youths to do vocational discernment after finishing a year of vocational meetings and personal contacts. This consists of 2 weeks of community living (similar to a retreat). After an interview with all the candidates we pray to the Lord that some will begin as aspirants. Fr. Salomon, together with Fr. Teo, is in charge of this vocational experience. Thanks to all the Fathers who will be participating by giving talks and sharing their experiences.

Familia Misionera Paolina

The feast of St. Paul is very special and dear to us, the Paulist missionaries.  But we also share the joy of this day with our extended family – the laity who work with us during the year.  Fr. Pedro, being in charge of the Pauline family, will be directing a weekend retreat for the laity with special themes such as the life and virtues of our Founder Joseph De Piro and Pauline spirituality. 

Silver Jubilee

Fr. Victor Livori was ordained priest on the 12th

January 1986. Twenty five years on we celebrated his Silver Jubilee at the Chilina retreat house with the whole community and

in the presence of Fr. Bernard Mangion and Fr. Mario Micallef. On Saturday, 22nd January we will be celebrating another Thanksgiving Mass to mark his 25th anniversary in my parish of La Tomilla together, in the presence of the Superior General. Ad Multos Annos. 

Episcopal Vicar

We congratulate Fr. George Scerri on his new appointment as Episcopal Vicar of the Prelature of Camana. We are all confident that the Bishop won’t be let down. Congratulations! 

Until our next appointment, we remain united in prayers.

El Chasqui