Student Mission Trip Reflection: Peru

by Robert Kania

This mission has always been an important part of our school community, connecting us to people in need, and I was grateful to be a part of it. When I had been invited to travel to Peru, I knew this was an opportunity to not only represent our St. Rita Family but also get a glimpse into the people whom we serve. We did this by bringing our values of faith, service, and community to the people of Peru. The ambassadors for this trip included myself, Father Tom, Brother Joe, and two of my fellow Rita brothers, James Kevin and Nino Protti. Throughout this trip, we embodied our Augustinian Core Values of Truth, Unity, and Love and thanks to the generous donations of almost $20,000 made by our St. Rita Family during our All-School Masses, we made a great impact for the Peruvian community.

During our monthly Novenas, I wanted to do my part by spreading the word to our parishioners and making them aware of the Peruvian missions. I started raising money in February, and it wasn’t just about collecting donations but it was about inspiring others to be part of something bigger. After each Mass, I would stand at the ambo and speak about why the Peru mission was so close to my heart and why it mattered to all of us at St. Rita. The response from our community was nothing short of extraordinary. People were incredibly generous, but what moved me even more was the outpour of personal support. Parishioners came forward with words of encouragement, promises of prayer for the mission  and a sincere desire to be part of something bigger. It became clear that this wasn’t just my mission but that it was a community initiative.

From April 19th through the 23rd, we flew from Lima to Piura, then made our way to Morropón. The first thing we did was attend a flag ceremony at Peru’s Santa Rita School where the whole student body sang the national anthem with such pride. It reminded us that joy can bring people together from anywhere, with traditions and community that hold a strong meaning. The students also performed a traditional dance. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, their energy was contagious. Afterwards, the students were excited to meet and take pictures with us. Later, we visited their English class. The students, though a little nervous, were eager to ask us questions about our school and our culture. It was clear that even though we came from different places, we shared so much in common.

The trip wasn’t just about visiting a school, but it was about living alongside the people there. We shared meals, sat in their homes, and experienced their way of life. One afternoon, Father Fidel drove us through the mountains in Piura and we noticed a waterfall and decided to jump in. As soon as we hit the water, we were surprised with how freezing cold it was. At that moment, we paused and were amazed with how everyone can not experience something like this. This gave us a chance to reflect on everything we were seeing.

Next up, we visited the church that was being built in Piura. When we arrived, we were amazed to see it firsthand compared to the pictures. When I first saw photos of the church, I thought it would be smaller. But when I got there, I was surprised by how big it actually was. The photos didn’t show the justice of how high the walls were or how much space there was inside. The building felt way more impressive in person.

The church also seemed less finished in the photos. I didn’t realize how much had already been completed. For example, there were no pews or windows in the pictures, but when we arrived, we saw that the interior was much more complete than expected. The area around the church felt different too. In the photos, it seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere, but when we were  there, I saw how close it was to the people who lived nearby. It felt like the church was part of a community, not just a random church in the middle of a field.

It was great to see how our donations were contributing to the community with the new windows and pews being installed. The Pews and windows are important gifts to the community because they make the church more comfortable and functional. Windows bring in light and fresh air, making the space brighter and safer from the weather. Pews provide a place for people to sit during services, offering comfort and dignity. In a poor community, these simple gifts help create a welcoming space for worship and bring people together to strengthen their sense of community. We were excited to present them with almost $20,000 to continue work on floors, doors, while also building a new sacristy. This donation made me feel great to give back to our Augustinian community.  

What stood out the most was the sense of community, from the friars to the people in the parish. Despite having so little, they had so much in spirit. They welcomed us like family, shared their homes and their food, and treated us with such kindness, which made the experience even more meaningful.

This trip really changed me. It brought the Augustinian spirit to life in a way that will stay with me forever. Saint Augustine teaches us that we find God in community, not in isolation. He reminds us that love and truth aren’t just ideas but they’re things we live out every single day. In Peru, I saw this truth in ways I never could have imagined. It was in the warmth of every smile, the strength of every handshake, and the selflessness of every act of kindness.

I felt the Augustinian spirit come alive as I saw a community, despite having so little, giving so much. They didn’t just talk about love; they lived it in ways that were raw and real. It hit me deeply, true faith isn’t about what we have; it’s about how we share it. How, even in the hardest times, we choose to lift each other up no matter how difficult it could be.

Standing there, surrounded by people whose lives were so different from mine, I realized that God isn’t found in grand gestures, but in the quiet moments of connection and giving. This trip wasn’t just a visit to a place; it was a reminder that love, truth, and faith are alive in every person we meet, every community we touch. I’ll carry this lesson with me always, a reminder that we are all called to live out the Augustinian spirit through compassion, through service, and most of all, through love.

Lastly, I want to go back to Peru. I want to keep helping, keep learning, and keep growing with the people there. Supporting the Peru mission has become something I feel deeply called to, not just because it felt good, but because in giving to others, I found something real inside myself. It felt like I was doing exactly what I was meant to do. As Saint Augustine once said:"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others, the feet to hasten to the poor and needy, the eyes to see misery and want, the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others. That is what love looks like." Now I know what love really looks like. And I’ll carry it with me forever.

Thanks to the incredible support we received, we were able to raise almost $20,000. we couldn't have done it without you. Your generosity is making a real and lasting difference. This mission isn't just important to me; it's important to all of us who have seen its impact firsthand. I invite everyone to be part of this worthwhile and powerful experience. Whether you’ve supported us before or are just learning about our work, there’s a place for you in this journey. Together, with love, service, and community at our core, we can continue to build something that truly lasts.