Lurin
The SDC Centre in Lurin, Peru was officially opened in 2003. Three SDC Members were sent some ten months before to study the language and attend courses in culture and history of Peru. During these preparatory months, the Members resided with the Maltese Missionaries of St Paul (MSSP) in Lima.
During these months, the Society also embarked on a project to re-build the house and centre from where the SDC was to operate its’ missionary work. The old house and chapel were built by Rev Fr Carlos Azzopardi who, for many years, worked hard so that the SDC establish a mission in Peru. Fr Carlos was an SDC himself, who went to Australia and later travelled to Peru, where he became a diocesan priest.
Within the first year of their presence in the parish of Julio C Tello, the Members established themselves and started to help out in the parish especially were catechises was concerned. Apart from this, we also hold on-going faith formation groups for children, youths and adults and have regular classes during the week for both boys and girls.
In the second year of our presence, the parents of children who were attending our scheduled meetings asked us to organize some form of activity for them too. Thus a new group named after our Founder, George Prece, was formed.
Today, in addition to the activities held in the SDC Centre, the Members support the two year confirmation course run by the parish and hold catechetical meetings in the parish centres that are situated in the North and South of an area called Mamacona.
The SDC Centre in Lurin opens daily for catechetical instruction and social interaction. There are specific days were girls attend and other days where the centre receives boys. During the week-ends, in winter, the members organize outings in the country side or sport in play grounds that are in the vicinity of the Centre. Then during the hot months of the year, they go by the seaside to swim. These activities are well attended and really enjoyed by the young members.
When one visits this Centre, one can easily notice the love for music that the Peruvian youths have. Guitars, shakers, keyboards and other local instruments accompany the cries and joyful shouting of the other children who would be playing football in the courtyard or table-tennis, table-soccer or other indoor games in the games room.
It is so nice that these daily activities bring together children, adolescents and youths who in turn help each other to continue to grow in their love of Jesus and in the respect for one another.
Puente Piedra
The first connection with Puente Piedra was made when the SDC members of Lurin conducted a number of seminars to the local cathecists. Eventually, the SDC sent a number of members to live and minister in Carabayllo in 2017. The members helped in various parishes with regards to catechism and faith formation, however, it was in the last couple of years when the SDC started hosting various groups in its own centre.
A good number of children and adolescents attend regulary for their faith formation courses and eagerly participate in the various activities organised by the members. In addition to this apostolic work, the members still assist missionary groups in different parishes which focus on ongoing faith.
