Congreso in Lima, Peru

Good morning all! A very Happy Mother's Day to all my good friends!

Well, it was a busy week at the meeting.  A total of close to one hundred Marianist educators gathered at the Retreat Center in Lima, Peru for the Conference.  The group included vowed male and women religious, and lay collaborators from schools in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico.  Each day there was time for prayer, presentations, small group and large group work.  We began each day at 8am with Breakfast and most days concluded around 11-12pm with socials hosted by different countries.  I was definitely tired at the end of each day.  Listening and speaking in Spanish all that time really took its toll, and especially because each country speaks Spanish differently...just try understanding the Argentinians!  The socials were a lot of fun, lot's of goodies from each country, favorite drinks and dance music.  Some countries were very creative and well prepared in their presentations.  It was a great way to end each day.  Each morning I walked between 5-6 miles so that I could get my steps in for the day and because the diet was not very Weight Watcher friendly....lot's of rice, very little salad ,very little vegetables, and small portions of protein.  I did the best I could, but I had to eat!

As part of our time together we also visited some area schools, took a tour of a Fountain Park, ate in El Centro, and attended an evening of Folk Dance presented by the students and faculty of Maria Reina School.  It was a great time!

I return to Mexico tomorrow.  I have been away for a long time and really wish I was returning tonight but there was an error in the communication of the original dates, so here I am for an additional day. 

The Mexican Delegation: Me, Br. Juan Pablo, Br. Jose Luis

The Vowed Religious

Participants

Retreat Center

All the participants at the Cultural Event at Maria Reina

Country Displays

Argentina

Equador

Mexico

Chile

Colombia

Brazil

Peru

Rosary for the Countries

The Fountains

Bienvenidos a Peru! Welcome to Peru

Buenos tardes!  Good afternoon all.  Well, I arrived safely in Peru late Thursday night.  Br. Juan Pablo and I were picked up at the airport and then taken to our community in Miraflores, Lima, Peru.  We are staying at the parish that the Marianists operate, Santa Maria Reina.  The campus includes a huge Church and a huge colegio that educates students from grades Pre-K to 12.  The place is enormous. There are something like 10 weekend Masses at the Church and each one is packed! 

The Church (I concelebrated on Sunday)

Front Entrance of the School

Students playing

Students learning a Folkdance

The Gym with the Marianist Symbols

Since we are about 8 blocks from the beach, I take time either in the morning or late afternoon to get my "steps" in and have a chance to see beautiful scenery and burn some calories too!

View from the mountain

I walked down and up that mountain: "And I did not die!"

View of the Ocean from the Top of the Mountain

Yesterday, Juan Pablo and I took a taxi to the Historico Centro to visit some of the important sites for Peru.  Besides seeing some ornate government and cultural buildings, we visited several important  Churches in the area.  We went to the Dominican Church were the remains of two Dominican Peruvian saints lie: Saint Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres.  These two saints are honored and revered by the people of Peru.  St. Martin holds a special place in the hearts of all because he is the patron saint of social justice.  He is the saint also for racial equality since he was born of a Spanish conquistador and a black slave.  We climbed the bell tower to get a great view of the city.

Church of St. Dominic

French influenced architecture

Hall of (IN)Justice

Presidential Palace

We will head to the retreat center on Tuesday after visiting some other schools in the area.  Once we are at the retreat center we will begin the Conference on Wednesday night.  I think close to 75 people will be attending this conference from Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico.  It should be interesting and fun.  Each night, one or two countries will present something cultural from their country including foods and drinks!  I have to save my points to partake in some of these delicacies. 

I am enjoying my time here in Peru.  The Brothers could not be more hospitable and they all speak English too! For the most part I am speaking Spanish, but it is good to know that when I get stuck, I can fall back into English.