This past summer, I was given the opportunity to return to Peru for two weeks, along with our vocations director, a newly ordained priest of the diocese and two college seminarians.  After living at the diocesan sponsored orphanage near Lima for the summer three years ago, it has become like a second home.  The children are always very welcoming and excited to see visitors.  Some of them try to practice their English.  They take turns welcoming each visitor and telling them their names.  It is part of the program.  The children live according to the Boystown program developed at Boystown, NE.

Some of the most memorable events for me were liturgical.  For the first time, I was able to preach at the orphanage.  On short notice, I was asked to baptize a young girl at the local Cathedral.  I also was asked to preach on the feast of St. Lawrence at a Mass offered for a group of religious sisters, the Daughters of the Pieta.  The same religious order is very active at the orphanage, participating in daily Masses with the young people as well as Sunday Mass.  

During our trip, we went up to Huaraz, Peru, to visit the only American member of the Daughters of the Pieta.  Sister Carla Harrison, from the diocese of La Crosse, lived at the orphanage for a summer and felt called to join the religious order there.  She now helps run a small orphanage up in the mountains of Peru.

Three of us were still in Lima during the earthquake that hit at 6:27 p.m. on August 15.  It was surreal.  I did not realize how significant the earthquake was until it was over.  Fortunately, we were unharmed.  The airport sustained minor damage as a result of the 8.0 earthquake.  Over 500 died in the cities near the epicenter.  Domestic flights were canceled, and our international flight was delayed over two hours.  Had the flights been canceled, I would have missed my parents 50th wedding anniversary.  We all arrived safely back in the United States.  I look forward to returning to the orphanage next summer to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving.

Deacon Keith Kitzhaber, Father Joseph Hirsch, and Seminarian Jeff Hennes