25 Years of a large Family that seeks to encounter the Lord

Lima, 08/25/14, (Sodalit News – Peru). With a crowded Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Piura and Tumbes, Archbishop Eguren, SCV., and the pastor of Our Lady of Reconciliation, the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the large parish family was concluded. Shortly after the traditional parish Festival was held in a warm and fun family atmosphere.

The Our Lady of Reconciliation Parish, entrusted from its beginning to the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, turned a quarter century and celebrated in style. After a series of cultural and spiritual activities thanking God for the years growing under the maternal care of Mary, the Jubilee Celebrations concluded with a Mass presided by Archbishop José Antonio Eguren, SCV. The Archbishop of Piura and Tumbes is especially close to the parish family, being that he was the first pastor that the this new parish family was entrusted to.

Fr. Juan José Paniagua, Fr. Juan Carlos Rivva, Archbisop Eguren, Fr. Juan Mendoza and Fr. Enrique Granados

During his homily, Archbishop Eguren recalled the bravery of those who were there in the early days of the parish noting that “about twenty years ago, there was a group of men and women of faith who were also asked by Jesus ‘who do you say that I am?’ and without doubt, this group of people, like Peter, confessed, “you are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God'” and emphasized that through their Faith and Love of Jesus Christ “this group of people dove into the inscrutable ways of God’s Plan into the fascinating adventure of seeking to establish in this place a community of Faith, Hope and Love, that became this parish “.

Archbishop José Antonio Eguren, Fr. Juan Carlos Rivva and Fr. Juan Mendoza unveiling the commemorative plaque for the Silver Anniversary.

In a joyful family atmosphere of sharing and encountering the Lord the well known Our Lady of Reconciliation Parish Festival was held once again. It attracted thousands of people including children, young men and women and adults within the various associations of the Sodalit Family giving them the opportunity to spend a Sunday together celebrating the faith.

Fr. Juan Carlos Rivva, pastor of Our Lady of Reconciliation Parish

This Festival, as in all the previous ones, held a large dinner area where attendees could taste different dishes of local and international cuisine. Also, various musical and artistic performances were performed among which were African American dances and the traditional Peruvian Marinera dance, presented by dancers from the University of Lima, a musical number by Faijó Italo–known for his portrayal of the character “Joe Arroyo Peruano, winner of the television contest ‘I am’, a clean comic show by ‘Los Chistosos de RPP’, a children’s fantasy show, a presentation of lyrical music by José Antonio Maldonado and the much loved Bingo, which this year had a blackout prize of $2,000 . The Festival concluded with words of thanks from the current pastor, Juan Carlos Rivva, and a giving of two cakes for the anniversary of the parish. After the Pastor’s words, the celebration continued with a musical concert by Joselito and his Orchestra who provided the entertainment for the Festival the rest of the afternoon.

Parishioners enjoying the show.

All of the proceeds from the Festival will go to the pastoral works and the social support that the parish will hold throughout the year continuing with the evangelical mission that the Lord asks of us. Following the constant invitation of the Holy Father, the activity sought to promote the Culture of Encounter among the participants with the most needy, with families, and most importantly with the Lord Jesus.