Father Jack is a real character; watching him is to see tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and love for the people of his parish. They line up outside his office to see him, most with questions, blessings to request, or crafts which they want him to buy. And he can't seem to say "no". Neither can Sister Peggy Byrne, the Irish Nun who has been in Chimbote for almost as long as Jack. He tells the story of a time he bought something from someone, donated it to a parishioner to sell, and Peggy showed up wearing it the next day, having bought it from the parishioner. Jack tells a great story, and remembers to the year when things around the city were built or blessed. It was a visible sign of the love of the community for Sister Peggy the the night she returned from the United States where she had surgery a month ago, the parishioners lined the streets of Chimbote hand in hand to welcome her home.
I am so sorry we left Chimbote before Sister Peggy returned. I wish I had been there to experience this beautiful moment for the people of Father Jack's parish. Thank you for sharing it--it's the next best thing!
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