Advent Brings Smiles and Joy in Sicuani, Peru

In early November the rates of Covid decreased in Sicuani, southern Peru, allowing activities organized by the IHM Sisters during the Advent pre-Christmas season to explode!

Villancicos (Christmas Carol practice) began on the first Monday of Advent. Accompanied by parishioner Miriam Mendoza and five of Sister Norma's young guitar players, Sister Eileen led the children through songs in Spanish and Quechua in preparation for the Christmas mass. Norma also began to have practices with the children for the presentation of the Nativity story during the Gospel of Mass on Christmas Eve. After the mass, all in attendance will be treated to Christmas bread and hot chocolate and receive a small gift.

The children in Ancilla's library program were treated to the movie “La Estrella de Belen” (Star) followed by a dozen different coloring pages based on the characters in the movie; then they were posted on the walls in the library.

Then came the Feast of St. Nicholas. The children arrived in the library on the day of the feast to tables filled with pictures of St. Nicholas/Santa Claus to color. This was followed by a movie on the saint and as it ended, Santa Claus himself arrived with bags filled with gifts and candy for each child.

On the morning of December 8, it's a Peruvian custom to begin the feast day with 5:00 a.m. mass. The sisters renewed their vows during the mass followed by three of the IHM Associates who renewed their commitment. The sisters then accompanied Sister Norma's parents to their home for breakfast as it was her mom Maria's birthday. Later in the day, the sisters hosted a luncheon for the associates and their families as well as the girls in the House of Studies.

Above, L-R: Sisters Ancilla, Eileen and Norma

Sister Norma had been preparing some children at San Miguel School for Exceptional children for receiving the Sacraments. Mass was celebrated for the children on December 11. The sisters then spent the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the next day, on retreat in the chapel and on the property at the Bishop's house.

On December 22 following the library program with the children coloring pictures of the Nativity and watching a movie about the Nativity, Ancilla presented a huge cake made to celebrate Jesus's birthday. On it was written, "Feliz Cumpleaños Jesùs." We all sang happy birthday to Jesus and then 45 kids ate the whole cake!

Eileen began organizing teachers and a program for the annual summer program set to begin on the 3rd of January. Arts and Crafts projects in the library including wreathes and crafting Christmas cribs plus a Christmas movie rounded out the pre-Christmas preparations.