Spiritual Life

Mission Trip to Peru –

Group Journal

Mission Trips are pilgrimages of encounter through which we recognize the face of Christ in the lives of our sisters and brothers wherever they may be, especially those who suffer poverty and marginalization. Mission trips are a call to minister and share the Gospel domestically and internationally.

Mission Trip to Peru – March 2025

In March 2025, a group of young adults from Holy Name Cathedral is on a mission to Santisimo Sacramento Mission in Piura, Peru, where they will join Fr. Joseph Uhen and his staff serving those in the pueblos surrounding Piura. The young adults will build simple bamboo houses; bring clothing and food to those in need; visit orphanages and shelters; minister pastorally to the people; as well as build relationships with each other and the Peruvian people. This mission trip well be a time of prayer, encounter, reflection, and insight into the call to missionary discipleship.

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Post #1 – Who Is the Big Boss?

Trying to rush to the airport before dawn, our mission team—though from different parts of the city—arrived at O’Hare with a single purpose. Fr. Tito joked, “Well, it is so providential that you are doing a mission trip in the desert during Lent.” After long layovers, we finally landed in Peru, exhausted yet eager.

Our first Emmaus moment came when parishioners from the mission field greeted us at the airport. They welcomed us with open arms, radiating joy. They then drove us to Santisimo Sacramento Parish, where we were to stay. As soon as we stepped out of the van, Ginet, with a big smile, turned around and said, “Let’s go say hi to the Big Boss.” Curious, we followed her—straight into the church, where we knelt in prayer before Christ in the tabernacle.

This moment reminded us of Jesus’ words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Just as the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread, we recognized Him in the warm hospitality of His people. St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by, ‘I was a stranger, and you welcomed me…’”

For us, the mission field was Peru. For you, it might be reconciling a broken relationship or bringing light into a conversation filled with gossip. Where is your Emmaus moment today? Where is Christ reminding you that He is your ‘Big Boss’?

 Post #2 – Building Homes, Building Faith: Serving Christ Through Mission Work

We started the home building this morning by meeting the family which would end up living in that new home. It made the experience more satisfying and more motivating. We had great teamwork throughout the morning, as each member found the best way to contribute to the construction. The work was difficult, but time flew by. It’s difficult to find the words to explain the human connection of providing a place to live for a family and meeting them in person. It reminds us how Jesus calls us to go into the world and serve others. It is important to not only learn the gospel, but to show it to the world.

In the short time that our group has been together, we have had quite the adventure and bonding experience. It is inspiring to meet others who have taken the effort to come out on a mission trip. Most importantly, we are beginning and ending our days with group prayer. The experience feels transformative and our faith feels all the more palpable. Keeping God in our every thought and labor keeps us strong and motivated. The people at the mission have been so welcoming and friendly. Learning about the impact of father Joe’s work in Piura is so inspiring. You can truly sense the strength of the community and love here at the mission. During our time here, we constantly think about how to continue these acts of service wherever we go. Thanks be to God for guiding us on this beautiful journey.

Post #3: Spreading Joy and Hope: A Day of Laughter, Faith, and Celebration in Piura

The second full day of our mission was filled with wonder, laughter and lots and lots of children! Just as we are meant to be pilgrims of hope in this Jubilee year, we wanted to bring some hope to a local orphanage here in Piura. At Hogar Santa Rosa about 40 orphans are separated into four “families” where they support and care for one another, along with the religious sisters who oversee all of them. Instead of hope, however, our group evoked an eruption of tears from the toddlers who were unsure of all the strangers staring at them. Soon enough, we had all the children smiling, talking, playing football and volleyball and eating American candy. Who knew hope could come in the form of a KitKat bar?

We then celebrated Sunday Mass by Father Jose and Father Ton at San Jacinto chapel near the parish where many faithful all filled the pews and warmly invited us to sit in the front. We were amazed to see some stray dogs even wandering in and out of the church.

After Mass, one of our missionaries noticed an ice cream cart vendor outside and proceeded to treat a couple of the children to an ice cream then next thing, dozens and dozens gathered around to enjoy one! It was a treat for us to see the joy that brought them.

After a quick walk through a bustling market, our team headed to Hogar Madre del Redentor, a boarding school and safe haven for at risk girls (ages 12-17). We were immediately welcomed by an endless line of hugs from smiling girls in pink uniforms. They performed traditional Peruvian dances for us and invited us to join them: a joyful dance party soon erupted. We brought four big birthday cakes to share which added to the celebratory atmosphere. The night ended with more hugs and the girls serenading us to a Spanish rendition of the song, Hallelujah. It couldn’t have been a more perfect song choice, for as Saint Pope John Paul has said: “Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

Post #4: Going Green for God: A St. Patrick’s Day to Remember!

A quote by Fr. Theodore Hesburgh (President and priest at University of Notre Dame while Fr. Joseph was a student) found in the mission has summed up our mission experience in the Peruvian region this far:  “Eighty percent of the people in the world enjoy twenty percent of the world’s resources, while twenty percent enjoy eighty percent of the resources.  You are part of that group that has benefitted from the majority of the world’s resources, so you must now give back generously what you have received, especially to those who have enjoyed so little.”  Today was no different.

When the alarm rang at 6:30, excitement filled the mission as we prepared to visit the school and help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. While we missed seeing the river dyed green, we witnessed something even more incredible—a school filled with smiling children, from first grade to high school. Dressed in green, they lined up, ready to pray the rosary. As we processed through the school with an image of St. Patrick, we joined in prayer, asking for his intercession. Time was ticking, and soon, we rushed off to assist with the next mission.

Our next task took us into the heart of the community, where we encountered very different walks of life. We prepared food packages—simple essentials that could sustain families for up to a month. Stepping into their homes, we saw firsthand how love flourished despite limited resources. One family had a newborn just four days old, another had adult children, and others still cared for their elderly parents. Though they may not have much, their love for Christ and one another was undeniable.

Our afternoon mission activities involved picking up supplies to build a third house later this week, delivering donated clothes to a neighborhood in need, and participating in classes at the mission-sponsored trade school. Again, it was incredible to see the personal impact that not only our service is having on the grateful people of Peru, but also the impact of people’s generosity, including the generosity of our fellow parishioners back home at Holy Name Cathedral.

 We capped off the evening with a festive Saint Patick’s Day Mass at San Patricio Chapel, followed by a walk through the neighborhood to San Pablo Chapel for prayer and fellowship with the local parishioners.  They were excited to show us their chapels and neighborhood, eagerly initiating conversation to learn about us and share their home. It was the perfect end to another day where everyone was clearly filled with the Holy Spirit.

Post #5: Aiding the Impoverished to Uplift the Community

In his 2000 message for the World Day of Peace, Pope John Paul II emphasized the importance of building peace on the four pillars of truth, justice, love, and freedom. Fr. Joseph believes strongly in these, but also told us missionaries today that he would personally add poverty as a fifth, as for many Piurans who have nothing or little-to-nothing at the moment may be stuck in poverty their whole lives, and not be fully to actualize their true worth without a helping hand from those who are able. He explained that this belief in these pillars was an inspiration of faith to create programs and facilities to foster positive community development in Piura.

Today, we were blessed to spend the first half of our day with Fr.Joseph. While us missionaries are staying at the parish facilities and have volunteered at some of the various sites and attended mass at several of the chapels already, this was our first opportunity to take a comprehensive tour of these extensive facilities and services that help improve the lives of the tens of thousands of Piura residents in some way on a regular basis.From schools to chapels (some still under construction!), physical and mental health services, and even a pasture for farm animals, Father Joe walked us through the various locations to meet the people whose lives the parish touches and share how the services offered affect Piura’s greater good as a consistentlygrowing faith-based community.

In the afternoon, some of us visited homes that had been built by the mission in the last couple years but were basically inhabitable; we helped clean out the waste, and also played soccer (futbol) with the young children outside the homes.Another group of us collected and bought furniture to fill up the homes that we had built earlier this week. We also brought a new pet parrot for one of the ladies in hospice whose previousparrot had died recently. She had been struggling as her recently deceased pet parrot meant everything to her. When we brought the new parrot to her, her eyes lit up and she beamed with a bright smile; she was so happy to have a parrot to accompany her again as she spends her days in the hospice. We are happy we could make a difference in these people’s lives throughseemingly small acts that may seem hopeless to an impoverished individual but can be positively transformed in less than a day through a team effort giving our time and talents. 

In the evening, we visited a girls home, Hogar Maria Immaculata. As we entered the church, dozens of girls greeted us with warm hugs. Many of these girls came from broken families but despite this, they sang and danced for us with such joy.  Even with the hardships they faced, they were still filled with hope. We ate pizza with the girls, and despite some of us having limited Spanish vocabulary, we managed to bond with the girls in many ways—such as by showing them photos of ourtravels and exploring similar tastes in pop music!

We are very grateful for our time in Peru, which has been an eye-opening experience as we have learned so much about ourselves and our faith through serving others here so far. As today’s Gospel according to Matthew reminds us: “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

How do you find ways to humble yourself and serve those around you?

Post #6: Completing Another Home on the Feast of St. Joseph

Building homes for families deepened our understanding of shelter as both a basic human need and a powerful symbol of God’s love. It became clear that providing a safe, stable home goes beyond just meeting physical needs—it also offers emotional security and hope. This experience highlighted the importance of empathy and compassion in addressing the vulnerabilities of others. A home is a place of refuge, just as God’s love offers us a place of refuge and security. The passage from Matthew 25:40 resonates deeply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This passage reminds us that helping others is a reflection of God’s love and an act of kindness that echoes His compassion for marginalized people. Our teamwork played a crucial role, as we worked together with a shared commitment to create a space where families could thrive through good and bad times. 

The joy of seeing a family receive a new home was only matched by the overwhelming sense of community that emerged throughout the day. Every hammer strike, every lifted beam, and every shared smile reinforced the idea that we weren’t just building houses—we were building hope.

As the sun set, gathering for Mass in the small desert-like village became the perfect way to reflect on the day’s blessings. What started as a modest congregation quickly transformed into a packed church, filled with families eager to worship together. The presence of children, their laughter, and their excitement added a special vibrancy to the celebration. And then, there was the Holy Water—something so simple yet so cherished by the people here. They didn’t just want a sprinkle; they wanted to be drenched in it, embracing the sacramental grace it carried.

The night ended with a universal tradition—one that transcends cultures and brings people together: a bonfire with marshmallows. Sitting around the fire, sharing stories with our broken Spanish, and enjoying the warmth of both the flames and each other’s company reminded us how small joys can foster deep connections.

Looking back, this experience was more than just a mission trip or a service project—it was an encounter with Christ in the faces of those we served and in the hands of those who labored beside us. We came to build homes, but we left with something greater: a renewed understanding of faith, love, and the beauty of giving.

Post #7: Encountering Christ in Every Act of Love

Every day, our mission has provided us the opportunity to encounter Christ in the people we meet.

Today, we provided furniture for a mother and her two young boys living in a simple bamboo home that we built. She recently lost her husband, and our presence brought her to tears.

The greatest wish for Ines, an elderly woman living in hospice, was a parrot. She had lost her previous one. As we approached her room, her eyes lit up when we gifted her one she named Lazarus.

Providing Holy Communion to the sick in their homes, many of which were disabled, has been a simple yet incredibly impactful gesture. A one-hundred year old woman we met named Claudia, was overjoyed with our visit. It not only provided a Holy gift but created a connection and sense of community, strength, and hope.

We have visited different chapels on our mission, participated in processions with the community, and celebrated mass with them. These encounters have helped strengthen our faith and understanding of how we are united as a church regardless of where we are in the world.

Post #8: I Saw and Believe: The Stations of the Cross in Piura

Every day during our Peru Mission Trip, prayer and the Mass formed the heartbeat of our work. They were not just moments in the day; they were the very foundation of everything we did. But there was something profoundly different about that Friday afternoon.

At 3 p.m., the hour of mercy, we gathered in the lobby by a great wooden cross. Everything was beautifully arranged—the portable sound system ensured everyone could hear the prayers, the communal choir lifted our voices in unison, and the route was thoughtfully planned. But what truly made this walk unforgettable were three moments that left a lasting imprint on our hearts.

Carrying the Cross Together

As we began, I noticed something beautiful—everyone, from children to grandparents, took turns carrying the cross. It wasn’t just the strongest or the most willing; it was a shared burden, a shared honor. Watching a little girl struggle to lift the weight, only to have a volunteer adult gently guide him, reminded me of Simon of Cyrene:

“They seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26)

It was a powerful reminder that none of us carry our crosses alone. Sometimes, we need help. Other times, we are the help.

A Growing Pilgrimage

As we walked through the neighborhood, something unexpected happened. The crowd grew. People joined us along the way—neighbors, moto-taxi drivers, even those who merely opened their windows and prayed from a distance. It was as if the spirit of the first Good Friday had come alive in this small Peruvian town.

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Our decent group had started, but by the end, we had become a living Church, walking the Stations of the Cross together.

A Path of Reverence

The streets we walked weren’t smooth. Some were rocky, others dusty, and some paved with cement. But no matter the terrain, at each station, people genuflect. Whether on stone, dirt, or pavement, they bent their knees in prayer.

It struck us then—life’s journey is never easy. Our crosses come in different shapes and weights, but we are all led by the same Lord, walking the same path of redemption. As St. John Paul II once said:

“Each of you has your own cross to carry, but know that you do not carry it alone. Christ carries it with you.”

Persevering to the End

By the last station, we were tired. I thought of the disciples on the road to Emmaus—tired, confused, and ready to give up. But just as Christ walked with them, He was walking with us.

Sometimes, we have our own Emmaus moments—times when we feel like stopping, when the weight is too much, when hope seems distant. But in those moments, whether through the Eucharist, through prayer, or through the community around us, Christ anchors us. He strengthens us to keep going.

And so, we walked forward, not just to the end of the Stations, but into the rest of our mission with renewed faith. Because we had seen. And we believed.

Post #9: What’s Your Emmaus Story?

“I would like to sing a song for you,” JoseMaria said proudly.

We had just sat down in the courtyard of the rehabilitation center, the sun casting soft shadows through the trees. He stood, hands slightly trembling but his heart full, and began to sing. I didn’t understand the Spanish lyrics, but somehow, I didn’t need to. His voice carried something deeper than words—gratitude, healing, and a soul filled with the Holy Spirit.

Later, one of the missionaries translated the gist of the song. It was Jose Maria’s thanksgiving to God—for pulling him out of addiction and hopelessness. He had been living in darkness, but through the kindness of the community, through their faith and shelter, he had found a reason to start again. He’s been sober for two months now. And with that song, he was giving thanks—forever.

Honestly, that testimony? That was rock-solid. It was real.

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”(Luke 24:32)

Jose Maria’s heart had been set on fire by love, by grace. That courtyard became our Emmaus road.

Another Emmaus moment came when we stood in front of a quiet chapel at the hospice center. The space was serene—palm trees, coconut trees, a garden that looked like it had bloomed straight from heaven. Fr. Joe began to tell us the story of Maria and Roberto.

Maria can see but can’t walk. Roberto can walk but is blind. They came to the hospice together—boyfriend and girlfriend—and said they wanted to receive the sacraments. They had never been married, but something about this place, this community, stirred something deeper in them.

So they prepared. They said yes to the grace offered to them. And they got married right there in the chapel. The staff even threw a reception in the garden. Fr. Joe smiled and said, “They’re perfect for each other—literally!”

For anyone who thinks it’s too late for love, too late for the sacraments… here’s your reminder: It’s not.

“Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

Then there was Miguel. Quiet. Stoic. A man of few words. He had come to the facility after the doctors told him there was nothing more they could do. He rarely spoke, but one day, he surprised everyone.

He pulled Father Joe aside and said, “There’s something beautiful here I’ve never seen anywhere else.”

“What is it, Miguel?”

“Every night around 1 a.m., I come to the courtyard. And I see people… glowing with candles in their hands. They come down from above, walk in a circle in front of the chapel twice, and then rise back into the sky.

Today, they signaled me to follow.

I think I’m ready.”

A few days later, Miguel passed away. 

Was it a vision? A glimpse of heaven? Perhaps. But what I know for sure is that Miguel saw something the rest of us couldn’t. And his heart, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, recognized the presence of Christ in his final moments.

“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.”
– St. Mother Teresa

As we wrapped up our mission trip in Piura, we found ourselves filled not just with memories—but with encounters. Encounters with Christ in the broken, the joyful, the dying, the healing.

Our hearts were changed.

This community, though materially poor, is overflowing with the kind of wealth the world cannot measure—faith, family, and unity. Their joy is radiant because they know, without a doubt, that God loves them deeply. And they embrace their mission, their struggles, with the peace of knowing they are never alone.

“The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.”
– Pope Benedict XVI

So, as we journey deeper into Lent, we invite you to reflect on your own Emmaus stories. Where has Christ met you in your pain, your joy, your silence?

We pray that these reflections from Piura offered you a little glimpse into the mission, and maybe even stirred something in your heart. May this Lent be a road of grace for you—one where your heart burns within you, and your eyes are opened to recognize Him.

Gracias a Dios. Thanks be to God.

 

Mission Trips

 

Also Upcoming in 2025

Mission Trip to the Border through the Kino Border Initiative (KBI); this mission trip will be open to all adults

Humanitarian Aid And Holistic Accompaniment

In our early years, KBI primarily served migrants deported back to Nogales. We continue to provide assistance to those individuals as well as people fleeing violence from Mexico and other countries who, because of US policy, are not able to access immediate safety in the US but are instead stranded in Mexico. KBI works to promote humane, just and workable migration through: direct humanitarian assistance and holistic accompaniment of migrants; education and encounter between migrants and others that transforms people and communities towards solidarity with migrants; and policy advocacy in Mexico and the US. Our vision is migration with dignity.

We respect the dignity, will and abilities of migrants; and journey with them recognizing the physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of their realities. At our Migrant Outreach Center, we offer humanitarian assistance to migrants in Mexico. Some of the services include: food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention. We see migrant men, women and children as whole people and God’s children who are more than their experience of migration.

If you are interested in Mission Trips, please contact Sr. Katie Mitchell.