CLINTON — “What’s Cooking in Sapillica?” is the theme for this year’s Peru Dinner. Sponsored by the Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish Peru Task Force, the annual event will be Saturday, April 10, at St. Boniface Hall, 2520 Pershing Blvd. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited.
Sapillica is the city in northern Peru that is home to the parish of La Virgen Pura y Limpia, sister parish of Prince of Peace. For more than five years, the Clinton parish has aided the Peruvian church, primarily with monetary donations, but also by joining in annual celebrations and by sending two pilgrimage groups to visit their sister city. The city of Sapillica is but one of the 46 towns and villages that comprise the new parish, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month.
Father Chris Steinle, OSA, is the featured presenter at Saturday’s dinner. Fr. Steinle travels on behalf of the missions sponsored by the Augustinian Friars of the Midwest including Sapillica, which is located in the Diocese of Chulucanas. Fr. Steinle will be joined by Bishop John McNabb, the founding Bishop of the Diocese of Chulucanas. Bishop McNabb, one of the youngest bishops to attend Vatican Council II, headed the diocese from the time it was begun as a Prelature in 1964 until 2000. Fr. Steinle will also preach at the 5 p.m., 8 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Masses at Prince of Peace Parish this weekend.
In a recent letter to Prince of Peace, Most Rev. Daniel Turley, current Bishop of Chulucanas, commented on the connections between Clinton and Sapillica, noting the contributions that have aided in establishing a parish house and now an office for the pastor; a new roof for the church, and primarily, medical care for the parishioners scattered throughout the foothills of the Andes.
“A total of 188 patients of the parish of Sapillica were helped during the past year,” wrote Bishop Turley. “Your donations help with the purchase of patients’ prescriptions, the cost of lab work, and for transportation to the coast…for medical treatment as emergencies arise. We praise God for the good work you do from a distance and, of course, for the personal attention of Dr. Gregory Lauz, of fond memory, who attended 150 patients during the Prince of Peace visit in 2007.”
Saturday’s annual dinner will include photos and updates from Sapillica, Peruvian music, and activities for children as well as information about possible future pilgrimage visits to Peru.
“Previous dinners have been primarily fundraisers,” explained Barb Foster, chairperson of the Peru Task Force. “This year we are planning a more family-oriented evening in the parish hall.” Foster also chairs the sale of Fair Trade coffee and cocoa and Peruvian note-cards that help provide the monetary donations for the sister parish.
The buffet dinner, which is being prepared by Fulton Meat Market, includes roast pork and breast of chicken, potatoes, vegetables, salads and rolls plus homemade desserts. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 10 and under. Tickers are available from Task Force members or from the Prince of Peace Parish office, (563) 242-3311. Ticket sales end Friday, April 9.
