Peruvian cardinal visits three archdiocesan schools

By Rocio Granados - La Voz Catolica

Photography: ROCIO GRANADOS | LVC

MIAMI | Singing in Spanish, the children’s choir of St. Michael the Archangel School in Miami welcomed Cardinal Pedro Barreto, archbishop emeritus of Huancayo, Peru, who visited the school accompanied by a Peruvian delegation.

The choir, directed by Marilín Cruz, the school’s music director, sang several songs in English and Spanish, including a prayer to St. Ignatius of Loyola, as the cardinal belongs to the Jesuit order.

Addressing the children, Cardinal Barreto said, “I am very happy to be here to share some good news. We greatly appreciate everything you are doing. I am very happy that you are protected by Our Lady of Lourdes. May God bless you.”

Cardinal Barreto’s surprise visit to St. Michael’s School was organized by the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools as part of a tour of three schools, including, St. Theresa School in Coral Gables and St. James’ School in North Miami.

“They contacted me because they wanted to learn more about Catholic education in the United States,” said Jim Rigg, archdiocesan superintendent of schools, on August 25, 2025, during the tour of St. Michael School.

Rigg added that he showed them these schools because “they represent different communities, different populations. So it gives them a good taste of what Catholic education is in South Florida.”

During their tour of St. Michael’s School, Cardinal Barreto’s delegation, composed of Sofia Hochschild, Miguel Cruzado, and Geoff Cocksworth, visited sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade classes where students were learning mathematics, religion, and science.

“We want to learn and understand what is happening in the United States and how we can help Catholic education continue to thrive,” said Hochschild, a Peruvian educator whose family runs TECSUP, a center for technological education.

“Catholic education is very important to my family. We have noticed that Catholic education is not doing well around the world,” Hochschild said.

She noted that in the United States, “several schools are closing, and children are moving to other private or public education options in other states.” Therefore, “we are trying to look at different realities and see what can be done,” Hochschild added.

Cruzado, an educational advisor, said the group is looking for projects to support Catholic education, including the “formation of Catholic leaders grounded in faith and values, with top-quality technical training.

Lisette Reina-Naranjo, principal of St. Michael School, said the school next year will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The school currently has around 350 students, nearly all of whom come from Hispanic immigrant families. In recent years, enrollment has increased thanks to Step Up for Students, a state-subsidized scholarships program.

One challenge the school faces is the low academic level of students when they enroll, as many of them do not speak English.

However, academic performance has improved in recent years. The school has implemented after-school programs that offer academic assistance in addition to sports.

Two years ago, they also started a youth group. “About 45 young people who studied here or are from the community get together and talk about their experiences as Catholics in Catholic and non-Catholic schools,” said Juan Pablo Rodríguez, a social studies teacher at the school.

Rodríguez said he has noticed that today’s young people “have a love for the school that was not seen before, and they want to come back and help.”

“We have a summer course where the children spend five or six weeks here, and all the volunteers I have are former St. Michaels students,” said music director Cruz, echoing Rodríguez’s statements.

Cruz said that volunteering for these young people “is an opportunity to serve” because otherwise, they would likely be spending time on electronic devices.

For Father Elvis Gonzalez, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church, the focus of the church and school is the family. He would like to educate students from kindergarten through eighth grade, “giving them a foundation and guiding them as much as possible until they can at least get to college.”

Unfortunately, only 40% of St. Michael’s eighth-grade students can continue their high school education in Catholic schools due to the high tuition costs. “Sixty percent of our children go to public schools,” said Father Gonzalez adding, “after we lose them” because they don’t continue with their faith.

The cardinal’s visit ended with lunch and a presentation of drawings made by the students.

“It is an honor to have a cardinal visit us,” said Reina-Naranjo, adding, “It is always an honor when they think of us and come to collaborate with us.”

“It has been a privilege to share what we have and explore opportunities for growth,” Father Gonzalez said.