The Congregation of Holy Cross’s District of Chile-Peru celebrated on Sunday, September 4, 2022, its annual Lay Missionary Encounter in Peru at the Peyton Center. About 120 people, representing all the Holy Cross apostolates in the country, attended the meeting, whose objective is to help foster greater collaboration between Holy Cross laity and religious in the service of the mission of the Congregation.

Like the Lay Missionary Encounter in Chile on Saturday, August 27, the theme was "Journeying as a Family of Families".

Learn more about the work of Holy Cross in Peru

After an opening welcome and icebreakers to get people moving, Fr. Juan Phalen, C.S.C., Coordinator of the District’s Lay Formation Committee, spoke about the history of Holy Cross. This was followed by a video presentation and images of the work of various apostolates of the District of the Congregation.

To enter more deeply into the theme, 15 models of Holy Cross were presented as well as 15 local "heroes", both lay and religious, who exemplify the spirit and family charism of Holy Cross. Afterward, there was work in small groups in which they showed how these Holy Cross men and women lived the charism and spirituality.

After a talk summarizing the day’s activity given by Fr. José Luis Tineo, C.S.C., Pastor of El Señor de la Esperanza Parish, Fr. Phalen presided at the concluding Mass, which offered everyone a chance to give thanks for the day and recommit to walk as a family of families in Holy Cross.