News - Prelature of Ayaviri - Great welcoming for missionary initiative in Macusani

Ayaviri, February 12, 2007. For these few days, the parochial church San Juan Bautista de Macusani, was completely full. A great number of parishioners have enthusiastically responded to the missions that are being done in this and other towns of Carabaya.

In effect, more that 140 missionaries, among whom were 5 priests, 10 religious and more than 120 lay catechists associated with the Lumen Dei group, have recently arrived in this city in order to share the message of the faith and animate the believers in their Christian life. The missionaries evangelize house by house, community by community, in the localities of Macusani, Ayapata, Ituata, Corani and other nearby villages.

The parish priest, Fr. Gustavo Mardones, gave thanks to God and to the Catholics of Macusani for the big welcome they gave the missionaries and announced that in the following days hundreds of baptisms and other sacraments will be celebrated. There are even villagers from far off communities who, having gotten wind of the fruits borne by the missionaries, arrived in the capital of the province in order to invite them to their villages.

The missions are scheduled to end with a closing Mass presided by Bishop Kay Martín Schmalhausen, S.C.V., Bishop of Ayaviri. The enthusiastic and generous welcome laid out by the people of Macusani expresses their continued trust and affection for the Pastors of the Catholic Church.