The letter summarizes life in Rev. Jonathan Hart's parish in Peru, which has doubled in size with another priest's departure. Over 230 people received baptism or first communion, and 40 will be confirmed. Improvements are being made to parish chapels. The letter also discusses challenges like disability and reaching beyond the parish, such as celebrating mass in prisons. It thanks the Diocese of Leeds and others for 50 years of support.

1. Letter from Perú
Carabayllo, Lima City: November 2011
Rev. Jonathan Hart Diocese of Leeds Society of Saint James
THANKS FOR FIFTY YEARS!
The Diocese of Leeds is
celebrating its Golden
Anniversary of work with the
people of Peru. Therefore it was
especially welcome that Bishop
Arthur visited all the mission
sites and convents supported by
the Diocese of Leeds.
We covered verdant forests of
Amazonia and the concrete
jungle of Lima. The days were
very full and passed rapidly.
LIFE IN THE PARISH
Carabayllo is starting to brighten up. The climate here has finally taken a turn for the better. With the increasing light
and warmth, grey skies change to powder blue. Smiles break out all over. Whilst the parish size has remained the
same, my area of responsibility has doubled with the departure of Rev Adrian (Des) Tynan who brilliantly served the
lower reaches for 12 years. So, instead of having two churches I now have seven!
As the church's year concludes, so do the catechetical courses which began in Lent. With joy we are celebrating the
baptism and first communion of 230 teenagers and young adults along with the fifty babies baptised monthly. On
the first Sunday of Advent, 40 people will be confirmed having completed their second year of formation. To
celebrate 50 years of the chapel of La Flor, we will host a 'matrimonio masivo. No less than fifty couples will be civilly
registered in a big 'I do'! They will then proceed, couple by
couple to be married sacramentally in the chapel. This is
regular practise here and wonderful for the poorest for whom
a 'big day' is out of their reach. However - a first for me!
The smaller chapels have Sunday Mass monthly and services
the other weeks – which still leaves me with five large
celebrations between Saturday night and the Sunday
evening. Bishop Lino of Carabayllo ordained six new priests in
July. However, there is still a great shortage. This parish should
really be three but for now I seek to serve and unite all the
seven quite different congregations into one family.
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2. Carabayllo, Lima City: November 2011
Rev. Jonathan Hart
IMPROVING THE CHAPELS
All the parish La Flor and La Polvora, Via Esperanza and San Jose are
chapels are cared smaller chapels, with faithful congregations and packed
for by their especially on their fiestas. Though the weekly offertory
r e s p e c t i v e rarely reaches $10 I have secured funding for all of them
congregations all of and these structures will improve.
which are pressing
for improvements. In December the entire parish will hold a Big Bingo
fundraiser tapping into the local generosity. However,
Cristo, Luz del
Mundo is the main
church and where I live. With the lights fixed, the
spotlight falls on the open space lying in front of the
church. The local mayor is keen to help and endless
meetings with him, his officials, the diocese and I
should bear fruit soon. If the council can bear the cost of
the materials, the parishioners can make the
transformation. Soon, access to the church will be
easier and brighter for all. A barren space brought to
life.
the real wealth is in the talents of the faithful and it is
In Cristo Salvador I celebrate Mass in the basement of encouraging to support the number and variety of prayer
groups and richness of ongoing sacramental preparation.
No less than three of the chapels are running Bible
Studies. An army of young people and committed
couples are preparing hundreds to receive the
sacraments of initiation, with more visiting the sick.
the future basilica – to be built sometime before the
Second Coming! Bishop Lino has given me permission
to provide a tabernacle, which a parishioner is donating.
To pave the way to the altar we will tile the floor and
provide more seating before Christmas.
Santo Domingo is a wooden structure in the midst of a
park. Later it will form the main church in a new parish.
We are seeking land for a more permanent structure,
though a square metre of dirty sand is surprisingly
costly even here.
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3. Carabayllo, Lima City: November 2011
Rev. Jonathan Hart
CHALLENGING DISABILITY
beatific smile, his intellect paralysed in his body. Omar
wasn't eating and they were getting worried. I guessed
that his fast was in part due to having sore gums. I bought
the medication required and success – his appetite has
returned!
Luis and Franklyn both require wheelchairs to get around.
Their salvation is having families who care. How many
more exist in dark extremities, shut away from view? I
have no doubt that there are many in the parish, parents
simply unable to cope. To grow up as a healthy person
here is hard enough. Any disability can be crushing.
However, there is light. The council is trying to improve
things with free or cheap access to limited medical
resources and therapy.
It is frankly distressing to note the number of disabled
and housebound. This is especially true when I visit
young persons whose prospects have been cut short.
For loving parents it is often as a last resort they come to
visit the parish office.
Recently I was visited by the parents of Omar. Though
on the lookout, neither parent has regular employment
so the house comprises cheap wood walls, tin roof and
earth floor. Omar was born healthy but contracted
meningitis in infancy and from one day to the next his
life changed. Now twelve he cannot speak but has a
REACHING BEYOND THE PARISH
In August the Diocesan clergy gathered for a retreat up in the hills to the east of the city. It was good to pray and
worship together with the six deacons to be ordained. Their big day was one of tremendous joy and they will bring
wonderful gifts to the Diocese. There are still many clergy from overseas but there is hope that one day Peru will
provide the clergy it needs to serve its ever increasing spiritual need.
I have clearance to celebrate Mass in the new large prisons on the coast. No photos to show you, I'm afraid. One is top
security and the other is for first time young offenders and those on remand. Along with the vicar general we have
baptised, confirmed and celebrated first Holy Communion: the church present right in the heart of all those concrete
corridors and featureless spaces.
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4. Carabayllo, Lima City: November 2011
GIFTS FROM MANY SOURCES Rev. Jonathan Hart
THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTE:
On leave in with their worldwide network of friends. Many of the
England I had issues which confront people here do not have a financial
the chance to solution. The greater need is affirmation and
catch up with encouragement. All of us here are strengthened by your
many of you prayer.
who have
contributed to In the month of October, the whole of Peru contemplates
the work here in Peru and to meet new congregations. its devotion to El Senor de los Milagros. We followed the
As ever, I felt overwhelmed by your warmth and the Passion of our Lord Jesus in a spirit of Penance. Special
generous support of so many. I preached in three services and liturgies carried us through the month and
parishes though visited others and received support our prayers were for the need for the world to convert and
from any number of sources. follow Christ. As ever, we prayed for you.
Without wishing to name and praise individuals: thanks With every blessing from Lima,
so much for all you from Australia, Britain, Canada,
Germany & USA for contributing to the Mission here. Father Jonathan
Not all supporters are Catholic nor indeed may consider
themselves
Christian.
However, all are
working together
to relieve
poverty, provide
hope and for the
Common Good
of the People.
As ever, financial help is not the only thing required. The
Peruvian people of the parish are united in love and pray
CONTACT
Cheques may be paid to: Money can be paid into any branch of HSBC bank:
Rev. Jonathan Hart Diocese of Leeds Peru Fund J S Hart - HSBC First Direct
Casilla Postal And sent to Mr. Terry Bossons Sort Code: 40 47 80 - Account Number: 60300241
Apartado 1025-18, Lima-Perú 6 Hawksworth Close,
Telephone Menston ILKLEY
00 51 955 847 269 LS29 6HR Thank you for your
E-mail Fr Daniel Harrison, Chair of Leeds Diocese Peru Commission: prayers and your
jsfhart@gmail.com dan.harrison@dioceseofleeds.org.uk financial support
See my video here
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