Summer Solstice in Sicuani

As we know, the Liturgical calendar was formulated in the Northern Hemisphere, which creates a challenge to those of us who live South of the Equator. For example, cut flowers were arranged around the Christmas crib in place of pine boughs. Summer vacation is about to end as we move into fall. Some of our IHM associates who are teachers helped with the Kids’ Summer Program during January. Songs, games, art, some reading and math were part of the activities which included a story a day
and times tables contests.

During February, “Rezanìa” is a tradition where various teenagers and adults help gather the children to teach them the traditional Catholic prayers. After that, they can move to the rosary group where they learn the mysteries of the Rosary and will lead us in prayer as part of the closing exercises. Each of these youngsters receives a rosary as a gift. Bible study is for the advanced group and they act out one of the parables on the last day of the gathering. Sister Norma is the organizer of this activity while Sister Eileen accompanies RICA in the parish. The Immaculata (Malvern) IHMs in Lima developed small workbooks in Spanish of ten themes to animate the process. We started out with 12 participants and are now at 28. Two Sicuani natives are policemen in Cusco, 3 hours away by car, so adjustments are made to honor their work assignments since we meet every Sunday at 3:00 PM. Many of the participants are migrants from the 40 outlying Andean communities of Sicuani where mass and baptisms are celebrated only once a year.

Others, from various sections of town, have friends or relatives living on the North side where we serve. Some of our neighbors from “Habitat for Humanity” also participate.

One of the first questions asked in the program is, “What are you bringing to this group?” The adults are inclined to shrug their shoulders until I comment that they are bringing God`s grace to me by their option to come and deepen their faith at these gatherings. Contagious smiles fill the room as they recognize the call that they have received. Last month Sister Donna Korba sent us a reflection by Dallas Willard which I translated into Spanish for our gatherings: “Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were you.” May it be so!