The sisters at Sacred Heart Convent celebrated Peru’s independence from Spain with typical Peruvian flair on Tuesday. Morning Mass began with a joyful Peruvian-style procession and chaplain Father Michael DeTemple, OP, recognized the sisters who were missionaries in Peru and the sisters in Peru today.
"This was a celebration in solidarity with our sisters in Peru,” Sister Mila Díaz Solano said. At the start of the liturgy she said “Together with the Peruvian people we commemorate 199 years of independence from Spain. Let us join our sisters in Perú in spirit; and accompany the sisters in the entrance procession as they bring into our chapel the current Peruvian flag and the seven colors of the Tawantinsuyo flag representing the rich diversity of the nation."
Sister Mila is a native of La Oroya, Peru and now serves in Springfield as a member of the Springfield Dominican leadership team. She and Sister Rose Miriam Schulte, with the collaboration of the sacristans and Sister Francis Mary organized the Mass. The seven dancers with the seven colors of the pre-colonial Tawantinsuyo flag were Sisters M. Charmaine Kribs, Georgiana Stubner, Catherine Anne Yager, and Patricia Stark—all of whom served in Peru—and Sisters Rebecca Ann Gemma, Marie Michelle Hackett, and Rose Miriam Schulte. Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez sang bilingual songs for the liturgy.
Springfield Dominicans first went to Peru in 1965 and Peruvian members of the congregation continue to minister there in Lima and the mountain communities of Huancayo Province where they are based in Jarpa.
If you would like to support the sisters Peruvian mission you can do so with a secure online donation.
