Don’t live Christmas in a bubble: Priest invites you to support these charities in Peru

Father Omar Sánchez, director of the Association of the Beatitudes and known for his vast solidarity work in Peru, called for reflection and action in this time of Advent, urging not to live in a bubble, but to be aware of the reality of our brothers in need.

“Don’t live this Christmas in a bubble. Be aware of the reality of your country, where so many people suffer and need you. Reflect, act and be a light for others,” urged the Peruvian priest in an interview with ACI Prensa.

Father Omar shared how every gesture of help, no matter how small, can generate significant change. For this reason, he recalled that the upcoming Christmas season “is not just a materialistic celebration, but an opportunity to live the true meaning of Christmas.”

“At Christmas, we relive the mystery of the birth of Jesus, with Mary and Joseph by our side. This gives meaning to all our actions, to donations, because we are dressing, wearing shoes, feeding the baby Jesus, and understanding that it is not giving what is left over, but giving what is also important to me. Let us have a deep sense of collaboration, solidarity, love, and sharing with those most in need,” he explained.

The Association of the Beatitudes: A caress from God for the poorest

The Association of the Beatitudesfounded by Father Omar, is a shelter and comprehensive care home for more than 500 people, including children, adolescents, young people, adults and elderly people in situations of abandonment and with various physical and mental illnesses.

Inspired by the message of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, this work of God located in Tablada de Lurín, an area of ​​limited resources in the Lima district of Villa María del Triunfo, lives under its emblematic motto: “If you do not live for others, “Life has no meaning.”

This year, the association materializes its service through various concrete actions, such as donation campaigns and the sale of its own products, with the aim of transforming the hearts of both donors and those who receive help.

The initiatives promoted by the association include campaigns such as “Dress a child or adult”, which with a donation of 85 soles (22.65 dollars) for children or 100 soles (26.67 dollars) for adults, clothing, footwear and underwear are delivered to those who need it most.

There is also the annual panettone campaignwhich allows this traditional Christmas sweet to be distributed to homes in the Peruvian capital, Lima, for the benefit of the residents of the home.

“What we do as the Association of the Beatitudes is let ourselves be loved by the people,” said the priest, who emphasizes that the Association It is always open to those who wish to collaborate.

Another crucial campaign throughout the year is “S/.8.30”just over 2 dollars, which seeks to ensure breakfast, lunch and dinner for the more than 500 residents of the association. “With 8 soles and 30 cents we can provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for a resident or a collaborator. There are 530 in total,” he recalled.

“Every year we inaugurate a new project and generate a new virtuous circle: volunteers who learn baking, young people training in the plumbing workshop,” Father Omar explained. However, he also highlighted that, despite the help received, the needs are enormous, since the association has 300 people on a waiting list who cannot receive due to lack of resources and dozens more arrive daily to ask for food.

“Everything we receive becomes direct help for them and allows us to meet our support objectives and goals. We live for others, we live to help those most in need.”he added.

With the help provided by people of good will, the Association will organize the traditional Three Kings Festival, known as the “Bajada de Reyes”, which on January 6, 2025 will serve between 3,000 and 5,000 children from the Tablada del Lurín area.

This celebration, which involves hundreds of volunteers, is one of the great parties that marks the culmination of the Christmas season in the Association. The children, accompanied by actors representing the holiday, receive gifts, food and a warm hug from the community.

The panettones of Bethlehem “The House of Bread”

In the heart of the Associationthe bakery “Belén, la Casa del Bread” operates, a space of hope and social transformation. This project, which is located in the Association’s facilities, not only produces baking products, but also changes lives.

The main objective of the bakery is to offer education and training. “Here we train people, both our residents and people from the area, so that they learn a trade and can start a business,” highlighted the priest. More than 200 people have gone through baking courses, learning from expert bakers.

One of the fruits of this mission is Abraham, a young man who, after receiving a scholarship, graduated as a bakery assistant and now works in Bethlehem. “This work has changed the lives of many people. The bakery has been a turning point not only for its workers, but for the entire community,” says Father Omar.

The bakery has also transformed the environment. “This place, which was previously known as the ‘park of the dead’ because of its danger, today we call it the ‘park of hope.’ The entire area has improved thanks to joint work,” he noted proudly.

In addition to the economic benefits it brings to the Association, the Belén bakery also reflects an active and committed church. “The church has to be involved in all temporal realities. We are not looking to do a giant business, but rather to train, help and restore dignity to people,” Father Omar concluded.

For more information about the sale of panettone and other bakery products, go to the following link: https://goo.su/3hF4vV.

Father Omar invites us to remember the true meaning of christmas

For Father Omar, the true meaning of Christmas lies in giving with love, not with what is left over but with what is important. “Christmas is a holiday that touches the hearts of everyone, even non-believers,” he reflected.

“What they give us are seeds of love, because love is the only thing that, the more you give, the more it grows. “You give love and it increases love in your heart,” said the priest, highlighting that this chain of love translates into joy for children, food, clothing, medicine and the possibility of continuing with the mission of the Association. that faces constant challenges due to great needs.

At the end of the interview, the priest assured that the “important thing about this time is to open our hearts to God.” “Christmas should be an opportunity to sow peace, harmony and to look at others, as Pope Francis says. When you give a gift, look the person in the eyes,” he concluded.

You can follow the Association of the Beatitudes on their social networks as Facebook e Instagram.