As many of you know, St. Francis Xavier Parish has a long tradition of twinning with La Parroquia de la Virgen de Nazaret (the parish of the Virgin of Nazareth) in Lima, Peru.  Since 1999, we have supported each other with prayer, personal pilgrimage visits, and resources. 

    In two weeks, on October 8 and 9, their pastor, Father Matt Garr S.J. will travel to Cincinnati to celebrate the Eucharist with us at all Masses and to tell us first-hand of the wonderful work that is being done in the Lima neighborhood where the small parish is located: the area is called El Agustino. I hope all parishioners are generous in attention and donation when Fr Garr comes. 

     In January 2004, in January 2006, and again in 2008, a group of pilgrims from St X travelled to Peru to visit our sister parish in person.  Last June, a group of benefactors from the Midwest Jesuit Province made a special pilgrimage to Peru to visit our sister parish, as well as other related Jesuit ministries.

     The time has come for our parishioners to visit our sister parish once again.  I am very interested to gather a small group of pilgrims for such a trip after Easter 2017.  This would be a great opportunity for us to make these valuable connections with the people of El Agustino, who have much to teach all of us. 

     Our trip will also include a visit with Mr. Paul Lammermeier, a close friend of St Xavier and St X High and many from Cincinnati.  He has founded three homes for Peruvian young people:  Casa Javier, Casa Ignacio, and Casa Teresa.  You can read about Paul’s efforts at http://lammermeier.org

     For more information about our sister parish, please visit our website, where you can connect with their Facebook page.  Before the arrival of Fr. Garr, we will display some further information about our sister parish in the back of Church.

Fr. Patrick Fairbanks, S.J.