The Province of Peru sent a missionary to study its possibilities and conditions. There are now two Vincentian missionaries, who await one or two more missionaries to establish this community fully. The bishop asked the priests to take care of “Kateri,” part of a larger project, EPARU (Rural Pastoral Team), run for some 30 years by the Daughters of Charity. Today it is headed by a “Teachers’ Council” trained to form Christian leaders to serve the indigenous communities throughout the diocese. Kateri is a “semi-boarding school” for middle school children. It is an educational center in the middle of the selva. The climate is hot and humid, typically tropical. The mission will be to visit the communities bordering the rivers, all of which are navigable. The trip from the episcopal seat to Kateri takes three days on the boat acquired by the Daughters of Charity for pastoral.
In 2009, the diocese entrusted us with a parish on the fringes of the city of Cochabamba. The current pastor and superior has been there from the foundation. Almost all the missionaries who served there were from the Province of Chile, for it had been entrusted with the care of this mission. The community needs at least one more missionary. The parish was in an unfortunate state. Constant and dedicated work has transformed the face of this mission. It has two distinct areas. One is rural highlands with populations at the same level as the Moco-Moco and Italaque Missions. The priests visit and evangelize 22 communities. In many of these, a small Christian community is just beginning to be established. The work is arduous. The population of 5000 to 6000 people is of the Quechua ethnic group. Many already understand Spanish, but it is still necessary to know and speak Quechua in order to nourish the faith of the people. The other is a “marginal city.” These are settlements or colonies of workers, who moved to the area because they were provided land or housing by the company for which they work or by the government. There are seven chapels and more are needed to care for the 8000 to 8500 inhabitants who speak Quechua and Castilian. Some existing associations are being promoted, and some of the Vincentian Family. It is typical pastoral ministry in a missionary parish. The priests think that it can be turned over to the bishop for some diocesan priest, but the bishop believes that what has been achieved would be lost with the danger of the parish becoming a sacramental market. The people are very poor and in great need of religious formation, but it is unknown where the intense population growth will lead. It could be used as a vocation center and host the priests of the other two missions in Bolivia.
In 2018, we will celebrate 25 years of work among the Aymara indigenous peoples and some Quechua communities. The mission is located in arid and cold mountainous terrain, serving 56 communities in Moco-Moco, and 31 in Italaque. All of them are scattered and difficult to access. In many of these communities, the young leave and the elderly remain. Only the population of Moco-moco and some of its communities is experiencing a rebound thanks to the trade that reaches them. Building communities of faith has always been the main pastoral challenge with visits to the communities and work with catechists. It is imperative to celebrate the Eucharist and form people for the sacraments. Pastoral work is very diversified: biblical circles, pre-sacramental courses, formation of catechists, pastoral work
with families, preparation for feasts, formation of children and young people in groups. There are also programs promoting education, nutrition, health, and social welfare. What will happen in the future? The two missionaries have been working there for almost ten years. No one has volunteered for this mission, perhaps for fear of height and geographical conditions. Good health and physical stamina are required, but, above all, a strong missionary spirit whose moral and spiritual witness commits them to continuity to everything already undertaken. The diocese does not have enough priests to take over this area.
