Peru has been experiencing catastrophic flooding from heavy rains that even now continue in some of the hardest hit areas. It’s being hailed as the worst flooding in coastal Peru in 20 years.In the wake of thisflooding, the Holy Cross Mission Center, along with the Holy Cross International Justice Office (HCIJO), is seeking support for thePeru Flooding Emergency ReliefFund.
According to members of the Holy Cross family in Peru, losses have been devastating. And, as is usually the case, persons already vulnerable and marginalized have been most affected. As of March 27, over 90 people had died, nearly 121,000 persons reported injured, and roughly 742,000 had suffered losses. Nearly 165,000 houses were impacted by mudslides. Infrastructure such as highways, bridges, hospitals and educational institutions has been severely damaged or destroyed.
Many of our Holy Cross Religious and their family members living and working in and around Lima, where the Holy Cross Mission is concentrated, were affected.However, we are assured of their safety, and are glad to report that the most significant damage to Holy Cross apostolates has been addressed. Yet,extensivedamage still remainsadjacent to where our mission is concentrated, and donations will be directed to those areas.
We invite you to stand in solidarity with the people of Peru through prayer and whatever other form of support you can offer. The Holy Cross Mission Center will process any monetary donations you may wish to give. We assure you that 100% of all donations made will be received by those who have been affected by this flooding.
Credit card donations may be made online at https://www.holycrossusa.org/holy-cross-mission-center/ways-to-give/donate/. Simply check “Peru Emergency Fund” on the online form to designate where the money should be sent. Make checks or money orders payable to “Holy Cross Mission Center” and write “Peru Emergency Fund” in the memo line. Checks/money orders may be mailed to:
Peru Emergency Fund
Holy Cross Mission Center
P.O. Box 543
Notre Dame, IN 46556
While no single weather event can be directly attributed to climate change, scientists say that the global trend of rising sea temperatures likely played a part in this phenomenon. To help prevent future climate-related disasters, we encourage you to review to the principles and practices of the Family of Holy Cross Statement on Climate Change.
In praying and providing aid for the Peruvian people, we unite friends, family, benefactors and religious of Holy Cross in a common cause. May this act of solidarity help us to deepen our faith and our sense of connection with one another.
Thank you and God bless.
More about the Holy Cross Mission Center
The Holy Cross Mission Center, sponsored by the United States Province, supports locations for which the U.S. Province has direct jurisdiction (Districts ofChile,East Africa,Perúand the Region ofMéxico), and maintains a special relationship with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of Bangladesh. The Mission Center additionally coordinates special mission initiatives, like relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
Holy Cross Mission Center, which began as the Holy Cross Foreign Mission Society, was established in 1923 in Washington, D.C., by several brothers and priests under the leadership of Rev. Michael Mathis, C.S.C. Its initial purpose was to support the missions in Bengal (now Bangladesh). In 1958, East Africa was added as a responsibility. Then the Foreign Mission Society was reconstituted under broader auspices as the “Holy Cross Mission Center” and in 1986 the Center was moved to offices within Moreau Seminary on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.
Today the Holy Cross Mission Center is sponsored by the United States Province and supports those locations for which the U.S. Province has direct jurisdiction: Districts ofChile,East Africa(Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda),Perúand the Region ofMéxico.
Globally, the U.S. Province’s Holy Cross Mission Center supports the international mission work of theworldwide effortsof the Congregation of HolyCross, spanning 16 countries on five continents. It also also supports those areas with which the U.S. Province has a special relationship, for example the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province ofBangladesh, along with coordinating special mission initiatives, like relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and assisting the Congregation’s other districts, provinces and the general administration.
The Mission Center also provides assistance, hospitality, health care and logistical support to members of the U.S. Province and religious from throughout the Congregation visiting the United States; facilitates scholarship awards made available through the Universities of Notre Dame and Portland for Holy Cross indigenous religious; and sponsors collaborative educational and volunteer opportunities, including twinning programs, with parishes and schools.
