METHUEN — Come April, the Rev. Thomas Keyes is leaving town for the commercial city of Tacna, Peru.
Keyes was granted permission by Cardinal Sean O'Malley to serve as missionary with the Missionary Society of St. James in the South American country.
The society is an international organization of diocesan priests founded by Cardinal Richard Cushing in 1958. The priests volunteer a minimum of five years to serve in Peru, Bolivia, or Ecuador.
Earlier in his career, Keyes served in Bolivia with the St. James Society. He said it was a learning experience he wants to live through again.
"You learn what it is like to be an outsider, and how they feel when they come here," he said.
"It helps you understand what they go through."
He will be going to Cochamamba, Bolivia, to take a refresher course in Spanish, before heading to Tacna located in the southern part of Peru, near the Chilean border.
"I was always intrigued by it when the missionaries came to speak at church," said Keyes, 62.
Keyes was born in Lynn and grew up in Marblehead.
In his junior year of high school, he thought of becoming a teacher, but changed his mind the following year.
After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Cardinal O'Connell Seminary where he earned a degree in liberal arts.
Keyes was ordained in 1973 by Cardinal Humberto Medeiros. In his years as a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston, he has served parishes in Lynn, Lowell, Forest Hill, Medford, and Revere.
He has been pastor of St. Lucy for six years, and was stationed at the parish 15 years ago.
In Latin America, the faithful view Jesus as a suffering man and Mary as his sorrowful mother.
"They find solace in Jesus' suffering. The people's faith and message of hope gives them strengths and they are hungry and eager to hear the word," keyes said.
Keyes said he is looking forward to serving as a missionary again.
"You get more than the people you help," he said.
Merrimack offers three-religion course
NORTH ANDOVER — Merrimack College is offering a course titled, "Theology and History of Jewish Christian Muslim Relations" Saturdays beginning Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
Students will learn about the three faiths, key theological issues, the meaning of Jesus and the story of Abraham's sacrifice of his son, Isaac. The class will also focus on the interaction between Jews, Christians and Muslims during history, political empires built by Christians and Muslims and the circumstances Jews faced during those empires.
Salma Kazmi, an active member of Boston's Muslim community, teaches the class. She has a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, a graduate certificate in Islamic studies and Muslim Christian relations from Hartford Seminary and a master's degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School.
Religious listings
Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover: The Rev. Adam Shoemaker leads a book discussion on, "The Shack" Jan. 3, 24 and Feb. 7 and 14 after the 10 a.m. service.
Rev. Bob Flanagan, chaplain at Brooks School, speaks on spirituality and athletics, Jan. 20, 8 p.m. based on his experience as a chaplain and crew coach.
Faith Lutheran, 360 S. Main St., Andover: Retreat on meditative prayer is Jan. 16, 1 to 3 p.m.
Holy Angels, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, N.H.: The Rev. Michael Monette celebrates healing Mass Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Monette leads a series on the life of St. John Marie Vianney, patron saint of all priests, Jan. 28 to March 4, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Mary Queen of Peace, 200 Lawrence Road, Salem, N.H.: Harpist Crystal Napoli accompanies the adult and children's choirs Sunday at 9 and 10:45 a.m.
Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St., North Andover: Interfaith Prayer service with Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Jan. 28, 7-8 p.m. in Cascia Hall. Participants are Sister Mary Ellen Dow, director of Campus Ministry at Merrimack, Rabbi Dawn Rose, Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley, Lowell, the Rev. Raymond Dlugos, vice president of Mission and Ministry at Merrimack, the Rev. Marsha Heydenreich of Faith Lutheran Church, Andover and Tarek El Heneidy, of Artsbridge, Inc.
Rolling Ridge, 660 Great Pond Road, North Andover: Jane Gossard leads a drumming circle, Jan. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Feb. 24, March 24, April 14 and May 14.
St. Augustine, 43 Essex St., Andover: A four-week workshop on, "Just Living" on how to live a more simple, sustainable life in solidarity with the world's poor begins Jan. 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Other dates are Jan. 15, 22 and 29. Dan Mason leads the congregation in song during today's 4 p.m. Mass. He is a member and director of Sanctuary, the singing group at Villanova University.
St. James, Winter Street, Haverhill: Members of St. James music ministry and guests perform a Christmas concert, Jan. 3, 3 p.m.
St. Mark the Evangelist, 1 South Road, Londonderry, N.H.: Women of Mary honor the Blessed Virgin, Jan. 2 at 7 a.m. with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy chaplet, Rosary and Mass. Breakfast follows.
St. Monica, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen: The parish hosts a welcome home reception for Catholics and others interested in the Catholic faith, Sunday after the 9:30 a.m., Mass in the school hall. Parish Council members and the pastor will greet participants and answer questions.
St. Theresa of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen: the Rev. John Sassani speaks on evangelization, Jan. 11, noon to 2 p.m., part of a luncheon speaker series for seniors.
South Church, 40 Central St., Andover: Epiphany party with information worship service, Jan. 9.
Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Dr. Claudia Bach retiring andover superintendent speaks Jan. 10, 11 a.m.
