Chimbote Sister Parish

Chimbote Home

Chimbote is one of Peru’s poorest cities where 87% of the people are believed to be unemployed or severely underemployed. The city holds more than 400,000 residents where many of them struggle through abject poverty and lack access to even the most basic necessities, such as sewer, water or electricity. The Pan American Health Organization reports that at least 45 percent of Chimbote’s residents live in conditions of extreme poverty. According to the international aid organization CARE, the average Chimbotano earns only around $300 each year making them unable to satisfy basic human needs.

Through a variety of programs, our sister parish is trying to make a difference with:  Social programs – soup kitchens, battered women’s shelter, legal advocacy, wellness program, emergency assistance program
 Infrastructure – home building and repair, garden maintenance
 Health care – medical, nursing, and dental appointments, medical support services, hospice, hospital partnerships, tuberculosis program
 Economic development – Scholarships and business loans
 Education – learning support/tutoring program, libraries, kindergartens and daycare, adult learning program
 Legal assistance – Poverty and injustice are frequent partners—it is more difficult for the poor to fight for their rights when they cannot pay for legal representation.

The Chimbote Council of St. Mary and St. Michael has provided spiritual, financial and material support since 2005 and partners with Los Amigos del Padre Juan, a non-profit organization based in Fargo, ND. It is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Peru. Los Amigos serves as the central coordinating body between organizations, parishes and individuals who help the people of Chimbote.

The Chimbote Council of St. Mary and St. Michael has provided spiritual, financial and material support since 2005 and partners with Los Amigos del Padre Juan, a non-profit organization based in Fargo, ND. It is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Peru. Los Amigos serves as the central coordinating body between organizations, parishes and indviduals who help the people of Chimbote.

: Beginning the School Day

Each year the Chimbote Council holds a fundraising dinner to benefit our sister parish and the Council members are frequent visitors to Chimbote, where they volunteer their time beside Fr. Jack and Sr. Peggy. To become more involved in the Chimbote Council, contact Mark Pominville.

Parish Mission

Together, in their respective roles, the pastor and the parishioners of St. Michael are called to show forth the loving face of Christ in the St. Croix Valley and beyond. We are called to “be Christ” for others. We are made “other Christs” by Baptism and we act like Christ by participating in His triple office of prophet, priest, and king.

Needs For Mission Trip

Chuck Stevens, a parishioner of St. Michael’s, is traveling to our Bi-Parish sister parish in Chimbote, Peru this February, for a medical mission. They will be distributing donated items which they bring along. If you would like to donate items from the list below, please leave them in the box labeled 'Chimbote' in the parish office under the picture of Pope John Paul II at St. Michael’s, in the parish office at St. Mary’s or call Chuck at 439-8155 to have them picked up. They are looking for ibuprofen, Tylenol, aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), calcium tablets vitamins - adult, children (not gummy type), prenatal, infant liquid ointments - antibiotic, anti-itch, anti-fungal saline eye drops, non-prescription sunglasses, toothbrushes and toothpaste and peanut butter. Thank you in advance for your kindness.

Chimbote Sister Parish

Parish Mission