by dioadmin | May 19, 2023 | News
Hello my dear friends,
I am Fr. Arockia Amirtha Raj Stanislaus, called Father Amir. I belong to the Diocese of Sivagangai, India. I was ordained in 2010. After my ordination, I did my pastoral ministry in the same diocese. Then by God’s grace I was given the opportunity to serve the people in the Diocese of La Crosse. My first assignment was working with the families at Immaculate Conception Parish, Alma Center and St. Joseph Parish, Fairview. Following that assignment, I was sent to Sacred Heart parishes in Spring Valley and Elmwood and St. Luke Parish in Boyceville.
It was while I was at Alma Center and Fairview that I was first exposed to the Hispanic community which lit the fire inside me to learn Spanish. That desire opened my eyes to see I could better minister to a group I could otherwise not reach and effectively serve.
One never knows what is in store for their future. As is the case for international priests, immigration laws can throw us a curveball, and I was required to leave the U.S. for one year. This twist brought a lot of stress and frustration to me. And so I went to the Eucharistic Lord, praying for His guidance. Eventually the Almighty God showed me where to go. As “the LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). I felt this message was being sent to me.
After days of reflection, I requested the Bishop of La Crosse send me to Casa Hogar John Paul II, Peru, the orphanage which is the mission of the Diocese of La Crosse. He generously offered this precious opportunity to spend a year at Casa Hogar, learning Spanish and helping Msgr. Joseph Hirsch in his ministry.
What an unexpected twist I had before me. Yes, I knew going to Peru would be a great adventure, especially coming from India. I remember how difficult it was to be fully immersed in another culture and learn a new language. I was prepared that my life would be changed, but I had no idea to what degree. Cultural integration did not happen overnight. Besides learning to communicate with the Casa family, there were adjustments to the weather, food and culture. I was like a newborn baby, only able to hear the words but neither understand nor speak. Msgr. Joseph Hirsch instinctually helped me with fraternal care in every way possible.
The 64 children living at Casa were also integral in my success in Peru. These children are given opportunities to grow in faith with the daily Mass and Holy Hour: through their example I also grew in my faith. The catechesis they are provided form children who live their lives at Casa Hogar with open and welcoming arms; willing my good with unabated love. These children who come from so little, have shown me the beauty in appreciating what one has.
After every Mass, I was greeted with both literal and spiritual open arms. At every special celebration, I was invited to participate in everything the group did. I danced, sang, played games, did crafts and much more. But the best part of these celebrations for me was watching the joy that emanates from everyone in a world that, by the standards in the U.S., wouldn’t bring much happiness.
The children at Casa Hogar have been, and will always be in my heart, a source of happiness. Every morning, when the children greeted me with “Buenos Dias, Padre” with their smiles, I could feel the warmth of the love they expressed. I came here with a lot of stress and frustration but I am leaving Casa Hogar with a heart filled with joy and love.
I will truly miss the children at Casa Hogar and will long to hear the morning greeting as I take the next step in the journey God has planned for me.
In the words of Father Joe Walijewski, I feel like I am “A pencil in our Lord’s hands.” I am sure God is using me as His best instrument to carry out His mission. Now with the lessons I have learned while at Casa Hogar, and my ability to ommunicate in Spanish, I am hereafter changed. The boundaries of the world God has called me to serve have expanded. What a beautiful gift they have given me.
The Diocese of La Crosse is doing incredible mission in Peru. I was aware of Casa Hogar, but now I know Casa Hogar. This kind of mission is only possible with your support and sacrifices. I implore you to continue to supporting our diocese’s mission with the same missionary spirit of Father Walijewski. And if you would like to experience, first-hand, what I mean when I explain this kind of joy, scheduled a trip to see with your own eyes, and feel with your own heart, what real happiness looks like.
From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank Most. Rev. William P. Callahan, Bishop of La Crosse; Fr. Woodrow Pace, Vicar for Clergy; and Msgr. Joseph Hirsch, Director of Casa Hogar John Paul II for offering me this life-changing opportunity. What a life-changing year it has been.
I assure you of my prayers and God will bless you.
Fr. Arockia Amirtha Raj Stanislaus
by dioadmin | Jan 19, 2023 | News
Happy New Year from Peru!
January brings a time for new plans as one reflects on the last 12 months considering
what could’ve been done differently and looking to the next 12 months to envision
what can be done with the gifts God has given.
This year I find myself pondering the good works of Father Walijewski that live on at
Casa Hogar today. Considering what our Casa family has done to honor that legacy and
how we can continue. One thing I know is I cannot do it by myself, the staff cannot do it
by themselves, no one can do any of this work without first God and second the people
that make Casa Hogar possible, our village.
The wisdom of Father Walijewski is evident in our daily life at Casa Hogar, in particular
the way he recognized that he alone could not accomplish what needed to be done;
he was only one man. During an interview in 1972, when asked what he can do for the
200,000 parishioners in Villa El Salvador as only one man, Padre Jose said, “I am a human
being, I only have two hands and two feet. What can I really do to help these people?
Well, there is an old saying “do your best and God will do the rest”.
Casa is set up like a small campus, with a house of 8 apartments, 64 Casa kids, 32 parent
teachers and assistants, 24 staff members and two priests. Together we work as a family
and live as a little village but we do not accomplish the good works of Casa Hogar on
our own, rather we do our best and God does the rest.
It takes the assistance of many other people such as Bishop William Callahan, priests,
benefactors, sponsors, and those that keep us in their prayers. It takes donations both
monetary and material. It takes support from foundations, schools and mission teams.
It takes a village.
Thank you for being part of that village, for being the neighbor with the perpetual cup
of sugar. We couldn’t do it without you. You are our supporters, our counselors, our
advisors, you are family.
I pray that you and your family have a prosperous new year filled with hope and joy.
In Christ,
Msgr. Joseph Hirsch
Director, Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II
by dioadmin | Jun 19, 2022 | News
May this letter find you all well. My name is Fr. Kyle Laylan. For those of you who do not
know me, I have spent the past year living at Casa Hogar. Very soon I will be heading
back to the Diocese of La Crosse to continue ministry in a parish. Now I am in the stage
of transition mentally and spiritually, in preparation for my next assignment. I find
myself reflecting on many of the experiences of this past year. I leave feeling blessed to
have had the opportunity to be here.
For the average American the idea of living at an orphanage is a foreign concept.
Likewise, as a Diocesan priest, it is a foreign concept. The experience has certainly
offered me a unique opportunity, with many lessons. Here I am, a diocesan priest from
the US, living in Peru, in a community of 8 families (each family with an average of 8
children). I have entered into the world of the people here. And, it is a privilege. You get
to know the stories of the children and the adults. Some stories are difficult to hear. But
yet, there is always hope.
During this year, I have sought to get to know Casa Hogar, inside and out. I feel blessed
to have formed a relationship with many of the adults and children. I have observed
how Casa Hogar operates, and I have participated in the leadership. Importantly, I have
been able to hone in my Spanish skills. Frequently I have been outside the confines of
Casa assisting at local chapels and at other orphanages nearby.
There are some people who question the need to support an orphanage in a distant
country. Perhaps we should just focus on our own? That is, on the needs of our people
within the diocese. I am convinced this approach is somewhat shallow. As one priest
in favor of supporting Casa Hogar told me, “What about the universal Church?” “What
about recognizing that we are connected with the whole Church at large, mandated by
our Lord to go out to all nations?” If we only care about our own needs and do not look
outward at the needs of others, we have adulterated our Christian faith. Casa Hogar
keeps us in the Diocese of La Crosse looking outward.
And so I extend my gratitude to you all, who have generously supported Casa Hogar.
You are convinced that this mission is worthwhile. Your support makes a difference for
the children here in Peru. We provide them a family, grounded in faith, with the hopes
that they will have a bright future.
If you are able to, please consider making a gift. Know that the children
here in Casa pray for you often.
May God bless you all, and again, thank you.
by dioadmin | Jan 1, 2022 | News
As we begin this new year of 2022 I reflect on one of the possessions of Father José
Walijewski—his old watch. It no longer functions but is a silent witness of a life well
spent for others. Similarly, each of us receives the gift of time. How will we use it? We
can waste it or fill it with all sorts of distractions, games, programs and toys. Or we can
invest it. We can invest the gift of time to serve our individual wants and needs and we
can invest it to help lift others up and to give them hope.
What I always admired about Father Joe Walijewski is how he viewed time as an
opportunity to love God and neighbor. In almost every sermon he would talk about
how we should respond to the sufferings of others. He would ask, “How can I simply
return to my life as usual after I witness the suffering Christ in others?” He spent his time
giving his life away to others. That spirit of generosity is what has inspired so many to
come to believe in the love of God and to hope in humanity.
Shortly before his death Father José wrote this prayer. It is a testimony of how he valued
life. May this prayer inspire us this New Year.
Prayer of Fr. José Walijewski
I do not know how long I will live,
but while I live, Lord, let me give some comfort
to someone in need by a smile or nod, kind word, or deed.
And let me do whatever I can to ease things for my fellow man.
I want naught but to do my part; to “lift” a tired or weary heart,
to change folks’ frown, to a smile again.
Then I will not have lived in vain, and I’ll not care how long I’ll live,
if I can give and give and give. Amen.
I pray that as we begin this New Year of 2022 we might value this gift of time which is
only for a time; that we will spend ourselves in love for those that the Lord calls us to
serve. I thank you all for all you do to bring hope and a future to the children under
our care at Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II. We are called to prepare the next generation of
mothers and fathers who in this moment of time are children. The seeds we plant can
bring a future of hope to so many. I know of no greater work than to spend ourselves in
this way. May the Lord give us strength this year to give and to share in this gift of time
we call 2022.
In Christ,
Msgr. Joseph Hirsch
Executive Director
Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II
by dioadmin | Dec 4, 2020 | News
We hope this letter finds you and your families healthy and well. It has been an
unexpected and unprecedented year around the world. The Global Pandemic has
presented every person and every family with challenges and changes at all levels.
Here at Casa Hogar, our family is no different.
Despite being faced with adversities of our own, the children are thinking of you and
praying for you each and every day, because you are a part of our family.
With Peru remaining under restrictions, our children and family teachers have not left the
grounds since March. The Community has demonstrated incredible resiliency working 24/7 to
keep our children academically engaged and taking on new responsibilities to fill the gaps of
staff members who normally live off-site that are no longer permitted to come to work each day.
We now have a team of older children running the bakery to ensure everyone has breakfast
and others are helping in the main kitchen or learning how to cut hair. With limited access
to technology equipment, everyone is doing their best to share laptops or schooling supplies.
Additional funding will allow us to increase the number of computers and books for virtual
classes which will run through the end of the 2021 school year.
While these challenges have certainly tested us, they have also allowed us to come together
as a community, become spiritually united in our new virtual world with many of you and
find ways to pivot. However, our essential functions at Casa Hogar of delivering care, protection,
love and faith to the 72 children and families who call Casa home have not been put on hold. We
cannot do without all of you. For those of you who are able to continue to support our mission,
now is the time.
That community strength and inspiration of Fr. Joe Walijewski that lives within Casa Hogar
is now more important than ever to keep our children healthy. As the world continues to
emphasize social distancing for safety and protection of all those working hard to keep
us safe, we must remember that truly it is physically distancing but we remain socially near.
Socially impactful. Every amount of kindness, act of goodwill and generosity goes a long way!
We are so grateful that our Mission was important to you prior to the pandemic and whether
it is today or any other day, know that you make a life changing difference for the children
and families here in Peru—providing faith, family and a future—Thank you!
If you are able to, please consider a gift. Together we can offer faith,
family and hope for the future.
May God Bless You and your families during this Holiday Season,
Msgr. Joseph Hirsch
Director, Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II
PS: To learn more about our families and what the kids have been up to,
check out our new videos at homeajpm.org/videos
PPS: Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Facebook for live Streaming of Holy Hours, Christmas Mass and to hear from our children at facebook.com/casahogarjuanpablo2
