Although separated by thousands of miles, parishioners from Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton, Iowa and the parish of La Virgen Pura y Limpia in Sapillica, Peru joined together in joint celebrations last Sunday.

The two parishes were "introduced" to each other about five years ago through the Sisters of St. Francis. The church in Peru serves as a spiritual center for 46 villages that surround Sapillica, which is located in the desert highlands of northern Peru. Travel there is involved with a trek that begins in the air and ends with a 72-mile drive over skinny and challenging mountain roads.

"We just think that being together with them in spirit is a good thing," said parishioner Sallyann McCarthy who chaired the food task force.

Clinton's celebration began with a procession and praying the rosary together. The Rev. Thomas Hennen, the parochial vicar, led worshippers in thinking and praying for the Peruvian people who were being baptized, married and confirmed, and receiving First Communion and reconciliation.

The Peruvian parish welcomed the gift of a spiritual bouquet card created by parishioner Barbara Foster and the Peru Task Force. The "bouquet" featured promises of prayers and charity from people at Prince of Peace, Sisters of St. Francis-Clinton and students in the parish schools and religious education program.

"A spiritual bouquet is simply an offering of prayers, sacrifices and/or devotional acts by one person on behalf of another as a sign of love and solidarity," Foster said.

Children in the younger grades drew pictures of things they are thankful for and those were sent along with the bouquet, Foster said. Art students from Prince of Peace crafted a large banner earlier this year that displays symbols of the five sacraments. Both the banner and card were displayed in the Church of La Virgen Pura during the Nov. 14-15 celebration, McCarthy said.

Foster became a member of Prince of Peace earlier this year. If she was making the pilgrimage to Sapillica she would enjoy helping out with the medical efforts or participating in activities with the children, she said.

One of the high points of Sunday's festivities occurred when parishioner Mary Jo Dopson invited people to consider participating in the parish' Third Pilgrimage to Peru in June 2010. Because transportation there is limited, only six people can make the trek and the trip is expected to last about eight days, she said.

"A pilgrimage is not exactly a vacation. It's moving out of one's known environment and into another, while at the same time, changing one's mindset in order to see God in all. So, be ready for self discovery, new joy and new peace," said Dopson, who is the manager of Gateway Travel & Cruise.

During her two trips to Peru, she viewed a lot of poverty, but just as much faith, hope, love and happiness. "I remember dancing feet, clapping hands and smiling eyes of children. There were large crowds at Mass and wonderful music in the square," she said.

Dopson says she never really knows who is really helping who the most, between the two groups. Parishioners from Clinton bring vitamins and medicines, but the Peruvians help the pilgrims realize they can live more simply and still be very happy. A future goal for Clinton is to work on ensuring the area has access to clean water.

"Of course, the greatest gift we give each other is prayer," Dopson said.