Fr Joe Ruys has made Christian formation of youth and adults a hallmark, a key feature and primary concern of his ministry in Lima, Peru, during his 6 years as a Columban Associate Priest.
Fr Joe, a Melbourne Archdiocesan priest began his ministry with the Columbans in 2006 after a mandatory 5 month study of the Spanish language in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He worked out on the fringes of the large and sprawling parish of The Holy Angels of Huandoy in the Diocese of Carabayllo, on Lima's North side. He rented a small apartment in an expanding housing project so that he could remain near the marginalised. The previous Parish Priest of Huandoy Parish, Columban Fr Peter Woodruff had to leave Peru due to health reasons and Fr Joe found himself having to take charge of the Parish as its new Parish Priest with its 15 Chapels and 110,000 people.
Joe, who is a very organised and active person took up the challenge in 2008 with his characteristic zest and vision and soon became known and welcomed among the people. The sign of Joe racing along on his trusty red motorbike at high speeds over the rough unmade roads going from one community to another is part of the folklore of the parish and I'm sure that many a prayer would have been directed to the Holy Archangels to keep him safe, travelling along the uneven gravel surfaces.
Fr Joe noticed that one of the most pressing needs of the people in the parish was that of continuing Christian formation and when he took over the reins of the Parish he initiated a 3 week course of Theological reflection during the summer break and 3 days of formation for all its pastoral leaders during the year. As well, on Sundays (running approximately every 3 months), all lay people who have a pastoral role in the 15 chapels attend lectures and workshops on themes related to their specific roles in the community.
The last one which I attended was held on the 20th May this year and covered such topics as:
- How to manage leadership roles in the community.
- Teaching Methodology for youth in Catechetical programmes.
- Musical training and selection of music for Church choirs.
- Scriptural Studies of Mark's Gospel.
Over 450 lay people attended the 4 hour formation session which began at 11.00am and finished with lunch around 3.00pm. I was able to attend two of the sessions; the one on Leadership roles which took place in a chapel called Hacienda and Methodology for youth formation which was conducted in the chapel Santisiina Virgen Maria. In both meetings the lay pastoral workers were given a new and deeper understanding of leadership roles and methods for directing and offering formation to evangelised youth.
One of the key aspects of the Columban ministry has been setting up a parish-based style of formation which enables lay people, who are active in their respective parish communities, to receive formation and in turn form others in a way that will promote freedom and happiness in the lives of the countless people who come to avail the parish services.
Without such formation Fr Joe fears that parish leaders will fall back into the habits and prejudices of 'Cultural Catholicism' which abounds in Peru. We wish Fr Joe every blessing as he ended his 6 year commitment with the Columbans in Peru this July. He will return to Australia later this year where he hopes to offer formation and leadership in a parish in the Melbourne Archdiocese.
Fr George Hogarty is currently serving in Peru.
WATCH: Associate Columban, Fr Joe Ruys shares his mission experience about Peru
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