Press Release

"Sapillica- a personal story"

   
Clinton Parish Plans Fifth Peru Benefit Dinner

            A unique opportunity awaits all who attend the fifth annual Peru Benefit Dinner hosted by Prince of Peace Parish, Clinton.  Set for Saturday evening, February 26, at Rastrelli’s Restaurant, 238 Main Ave., Clinton, the event will feature a presentation by Sister Ruth Snyder, a Franciscan missionary who served 21 years in Peru including a full year in the city of Sapillica. 
            “We are so pleased that Sister Ruth is coming from Minnesota to be with us and to share personal stories about life in our sister parish,” said Barbara Foster, chair of the Peru Task Force.  “Although we have been privileged to have many missionaries speak with us before, we are eager to hear the stories Sister Ruth has to tell about Sapillica.  She is the first guest we have had who has actually served our sister parish.”
            The annual event will begin at 6:00 pm with dinner at 7:00.  Both before and after the dinner, patrons will be able to purchase handmade crafts from the Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru, where Sapillica is located.
            Sapillica is the city in northern Peru that is home to the parish of La Virgen Pura y Limpia, sister parish of Prince of Peace.  For over six years, the Clinton parish has aided the Peruvian church, primarily with monetary donations, but also by joining in annual celebrations and by sending two pilgrimage groups to visit their sister city.  The city of Sapillica is but one of the 46 towns and villages that comprise the parish, which is celebrating its sixth anniversary this month.
            Sister Snyder, a native of Austin, Minn., is a member of the Rochester Franciscan Sisters.  She began her ministry as a primary and secondary school teacher before completing her Ph.D. in chemistry at Notre Dame University.  She went on to teach at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minn., and at universities in Georgia and North Carolina, before moving to religious education work on the Mexican border in Texas.
            “Then I got to do what I had always wanted to do,” she said in a recent interview.  “I went to Chulucanas, Peru, as a missionary.  I was there 21 years in all; one of those years in Sapillica.”
            Since returning to US, she has served as Hispanic Minister at Queen of Angels Parish in Austin, Minn., where she spends most of her time in one-on-one ministry with Spanish-speaking immigrants.
            Having lived in Chulucanas, she also is very familiar with the education project operated by Mercy Sisters there which produces the hand-crafted items that will be for sale at the benefit dinner.  The project, called CEO Betania, trains women in sewing, baking and computer skills to enable them to find good jobs.
            Since establishing their sister parish relationship with the Peruvian parish, Prince of Peace has provided funding for a resident priest and deacon in addition to sending money to assist parishioners with healthcare costs.  “We do as much as we can,” noted Foster.  “Renovating the parish house so that a priest could live in Sapillica was our first undertaking.  We also assisted with replacing the roof on the parish church.  But what is most meaningful is being able to help families who have no other way of receiving heath care.  They often have to travel many miles by mule cart or truck to reach a clinic or hospital.  All of our fund-raising efforts are rewarded when we hear of someone receiving the care he or she needs.”
            Saturday’s annual dinner will include entertainment by Prince of Peace music ministers, Andy Tadlock, Wendy Weig and Chuck Soenksen.
            The public is invited to join in the celebration.  Tickets are available at Prince of Peace Church, 1105 LaMetta Wynn Dr.;  by calling the parish at 563-242-3311;  after all the weekend masses;  or from Peru Task Force members.  The adult menu, with choice of steak, Orange Roughy or vegetarian pasta plus salad, potatoes, vegetables, desert and beverages, is $20.  The children’s menu of chicken strips and French fries is $10.