“Joy in the Lord” (La Alegría en el Señor): 60 years of loving service of God

Lima, 06/13/14 (Sodalit News – Peru). The “Joy in the Lord” school (Alegría en el Señor) celebrated this past 15^th of May its 60^th anniversary with the special celebration of the Eucharist presided by Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru. After the Mass, the children’s choir of the school shared with the educational family three songs in three different languages.

Also present in the Eucharistic celebration, which took place in the chapel of the Joy in the Lord school, were Sister Carmen Cárdenas, General Coordinator of the Servants of the Plan of God, Sister Elizabeth Sánchez, director of the school, and other members of the administrative staff of the institution. Many members of the Sodalit family were also present.

Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani began his homily explaining how “the initiative of love is God, who has given us the gift of saying ‘come and help’; we must place ourselves humbly before this fact”. He later highlighted the work of Rosemarie Stemmler, also present in the ceremony, explaining the value of this foundation, saying that “the ‘yes’ of this entrepreneur woman made many people happy”.

Cardinal Cipriani receiving a thank you letter made by the children of the school

Talking about the children of the school, the Cardinal pointed out that “these creatures are chosen by God to be, before Him, His preference. Because one may ask, ‘what happens to you when you come upon a creature, who without any merit of his own, has been chosen by God to be a treasure?’, he asked.

“For this I thank each and every one of you for having said ‘yes’ to God’s call”, the Prelate said, addressing the employees of the school, who “for years have given their small seed” he added. He then imparted his blessing upon all of those present and asked “that this [the work of the school] be multiplied and that the many young girls, daughters or granddaughters, be cleansed from all frivolity and that they may commit themselves to something that renews, helps and strengthens. Many people want and can give much more.

Following the celebration of the Eucharist, the members of the educational family of “Joy in the Lord” had a fraternal meeting in which Ms. Stemmler and the authorities of the school also participated. Sister Elizabeth Sánchez offered a brief summary of the most important moments in the history of the school, especially highlighting the work of its founder, Rosemarie Stemmler, whose effort and presence in the development of this beautiful project continues till today. Sánchez also thanked Stemmler for her confidence in having entrusted this work to the Servants of the Plan of God and for having trusted them with the spiritual and educational formation of the children and young people of Joy in the Lord.