Perhaps one of the most moving stories in the Gospels is that of the paralyzed man whose friends carried him to see Jesus, going so far as to remove the roofing of the house Jesus was speaking in so they could lower him down to receive healing. Recognizing and honoring their friend’s dignity and worth, the men were willing to do whatever it took to get him where he needed in order to be restored.
In a somewhat similar way, Rev. Aníbal Niño Loarte, C.S.C., the pastor of Canto Grande’s Lord of Hope Parish in Peru, sees the recent installation of an elevator at the Br. André Parish Polyclinic (Policlínico Parroquial Hermano Andrés, or Polyclinico) as a tangible sign of love being extended to those who are seeking healing. While the project was underway, he told the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC), “It will be a Christian sign of providing a quality welcome to all patients who cannot go up to the second and third floors for their medical care,” adding further that the elevator “will be very easy and comfortable… With the elevator all elderly people, people who come in wheelchairs, [and with] crutches will benefit.”
Br. André Parish Polyclinic plays a crucial role in the lives of the people of Canto Grande (a district whose population, the largest in Lima, is well over one million), providing general medicine, specialized care, and preventative care. The elevator was a needed addition in order to allow the elderly and those with mobility issues to access the second and thirds floors of the building to receive medical care, such as physical therapy. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Nancy Hansen, the HCMC was able to provide $33,500 for the purchase and installation of the elevator.
Estefany Crisanto, who has been involved in the Polyclinico for seven years, providing physical therapy to patients, told the HCMC, “Our patients are mostly adults and older adults; with our service we improve their quality of life. Now with an elevator the service will be more dignified because they will not have problems going up to the second floor where the physical therapy service is located.”
Not only was the installation significant for the medical clinic, but for the wider Canto Grande community as well. While acting as the local liaison for the project, Fr. Aníbal told the HCMC, “There is a lot of expectation for the population, not only for their benefit, but also for being the first elevator that is being built in the area.”
To celebrate the elevator’s successful installation, a blessing ceremony was held in June. The ceremony just happened to coincide with the visit of HCMC Assistant Director, Michael Jezewak, who was in Peru to connect with Holy Cross’ ministries and to accompany students from Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA) on their immersion trip.
Around 50 people gathered for the event, joining the leadership of the Polyclinico and Fr. Aníbal, who led them all in prayer before remarks were said in gratitude to the donors. Mr. Jezewak had the honor of cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the elevator. Then, it was time to enjoy the elevator! Groups took turns taking rides, testing out the new accommodations.
“I was humbled and surprised (as my clothing suggested!) to be included in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the elevator,” Mr. Jezewak said afterwards. “However, it was a wonderful reminder of the quite practical ways that the Congregation of Holy Cross in Peru put their faith into very practical action–providing healthcare, ensuring the elderly and disabled have easy access to the medical care they deserve. Thank you to Fr. Anibal Nino, C.S.C., HCMC benefactors, and the entire staff at Policlínico Parroquial Hermano Andrés for making this possible.”
Provided by Paula Lent, Holy Cross Mission Center Office Coordinator
August 2025
