Maryknoll Affiliate News (189)
The latest news about the Maryknoll Affiliates
The letter that follows was written by Karen Bortvedt, Recruitment Manager for MKLM. It's a wonderful invitation for all expressions within the Maryknoll Family. Karen mentioned in a subsequent email that his includes events at the chapter level. See Karen's contact information below.
Greeting my Maryknoll Collaborators,
I hope you are all doing well. As a part of my job, I attempt to keep up the discernment section of our MKLM website. My hope, going forward, is to include a section with “Other Maryknoll Opportunities” as our discerners are around the country and we would love them to connect with your programing and opportunities around the country. Since we are all a part of the Maryknoll family, involvement with your events will help them to understand who we are and serve as a kind of formation (before we even get an application).
This is my ask, if you have events, training programs, retreats, speaker series, advocacy opportunities, or anything else you think could use some promotion that has a specific date, please send me a link (or PDF of the information) and a one to three sentence summary that I can just copy and paste to a website. Please also feel free to share this with others on your team/staff so they can send along opportunities as well.
I will do my best to get events sent to me posted weekly, though have mercy if that doesn’t always happen. As soon as I have the page live, I can send you the link as well if you would want to reshare it in anyway.
You can reach Karen at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914-467-8857 (phone or text)
THANK YOU KAREN
Maryknoll Affiliate Joint Retreat October 18-21
Written by Mary MoritzThe Maryknoll Affiliate Board Meeting of October 18-21 will include a contemplative retreat that will focus on discerning the future course of the Maryknoll Affiliates. We are hopeful that this will be a special time of inspiration for the Affiliate Board and the Regional Coordinators, as we open our minds, hearts, and wills to God’s movement within each of us. We ask each of you to join us in praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we meet and discern together. We thank you in advance for your prayerful support.
Ad Hoc Committee (Rosa Beatriz Castaneda de Larios, Rich Lessard, John Moritz, Mary Moritz, and Bob Short)
This article is taken from the website page of the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns (MOGC). MOGC is an incredibly valuable resource within the Maryknoll family. If you haven't yet visited their website, you can do so at: https://maryknollogc.org/
Please also keep in your thoughts and prayers, Gerry Lee, MOGC's Executive Director who, along with his family was a Maryknoll Lay Missioners. Gerry was recently diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He and his wife Patty, also diagnosed with a serious health concern, are wonderful, deeply committed people.
Immigration: Families are still separated Yvonne Dilling, Mission Educator for the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in San Antonio, Texas, recently volunteered to provide hospitality for a mother and son from Honduras who were reunited after having been separately detained by the U.S. government as part of the “zero tolerance” immigration policy. The following article was published in the September-October 2018 issue of NewsNotes.
At the height of the family separation crisis on the Southern border this summer, before judges had forced the Trump administration to suspend the cruelest tactic of its ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy, Border Patrol agents pulled an eight-year-old Honduran boy away from his mother so they could prosecute her as a criminal, sending the boy alone into a parallel detention system with no plan or method to reunite mother and son.
Second Report from the Volcano Appeal Committee
September 2018
Three months after the eruption of the Volcán de Fuego (Fire Volcano), survivors of the catastrophe have taught us to open our hearts to Joy, since in spite of the sadness and uncertainty that they live every day.
¡Their life is full of hope!
When they receive help from the donations that were sent by the Maryknoll family, friends, U.S. friends.
These are the words expressed by them: God Bless you always, thank you very much! I appreciate what you have done for my family!
Below we explain how your donations have been used and how we shall continue to respond to the needs of the people.
If you have been considering the Houston Mission Trip - See: http://maryknollaffiliates.org/news/recent-postings/item/1810-houston-a-week-in-mission.html ...
Friday, October 12th is the last day to sign up. To date, 12 have committed to this week in mission - NOTE, if you are unable to come for the entire week, you may choose to participate for a shorter time. In addition to the service project - helping to restore housing for those who still have not recovered from Hurricane Harvey, it will be a time of reflection, meals together and camaraderie.
This is a unique Maryknoll/Affiliate opportunity. If you have any questions, Contact: Bob Kleeman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dick Horstman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Also feel free to contact Bob Short: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On September 16th the 8 remaining Maryknoll Sisters from the group of 1968 gathered in the Sisters’ chapel to celebrate their Golden Jubilee, 50 years of making God’s Love Visible. Sr. Teruko Ito MM, one of that group as well as member of the Sisters’ Governing Board and the Affiliate Board, gave the homily. Teruko’s words – for the loving way she spoke about those in her group and especially for the depth of insight into the journey they (all of us) are on - became for so many at the Jubilee Mass (including me) a pivotal moment in time. She helped all of us get a contemplative glimpse into an evolving consciousness that sometimes eludes us.
Excerpts of Teruko’s homily follow. If you would like to read the full text, email Bob Short at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
We heard a call “Come follow me!” And we began our journeying of becoming WE.
I was in Japan, raised in a home of several religious traditions, Catholicism, Buddhism and Shintoism! Prior to the Vatican Council II, this mix was not an easy one. Religious boundary line was very clear and thick and separated who was saved and who was not. But my mother believed in more flexible boundary. And I was nurtured in the spirit of becoming WE as one family.
In taking a long loving gaze at each other, we were led to accepting each other’s wounds. Tear-filled embrace between the two followed. And what emerged was our yes to brake the boundaries created by national and historical domination. We were awakened to the fact that we are truly One , truly WE.
In the past 50 years we crossed over many cultures and seemingly succeeded in becoming We, but deep in our hearts we felt a sense of limitation. And this sense of limitation became very clear by a contrasting sense of expansiveness of our world by developing sciences. The beautiful picture of Earthrise taken by the Apollo 8 Astronauts and subsequent picture of earth as Blue dot spoke our smallness to so many people. In these pictures we saw a call to expand and move our understanding of WE beyond human-centered to cosmic-centered We. A book, Divine Milieu, by Teilhard de Chardin, a geologist and paleontologist, came out in English in 1960 and his message helped our minds and hearts to expand, leading towards a highlighted new horizon. He called our attention to a delight in scientific discoveries, joy of human development, and the universe evolving in the unconditional love. We were beginning to hold the message of science and the insight from the wisdom of the indigenous people. The conversation between religion and science was helping to break another boundary of right and wrong. And all along we had been guided by different life styles and world visions of those people, especially indigenous people, to whom we were sent. They are calling us to shift our mission model of human development based on economic sustainability to a mission of co-creation towards a regenerative culture.
We are grateful for scientific discoveries and wisdom of the indigenous people.
It was in 2006 Maryknoll Sisters made a public choice to turn to the new relationship, and accepted and proclaimed the Maryknoll Sisters Land Ethic. It broke open a key boundary between human and other living beings in becoming WE with the land, the Mother Earth.
The old lines - national, ethnic, religious -are no longer true to our experience. We are in age of boundary meltdown. We are becoming global human beings who understand that we are not separate from one another or from the earth -who understand that there are no lines. It will take time for us to catch up with this new reality, but it’s already here - whether we like it or not.”
We are grateful for our trials, temptations and desert in our lives.
50 years ago, Thomas Merton said at Calcutta conference, shortly before his tragic death: “My dear friends, we are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity. What we have to be is what we are.”
With grateful heart for all those who taught us about Oneness, and who awakened us to that Oneness, let us come together to this Eucharist, the Open Table and celebrate our Yes to continue our journey of becoming One.
* Ann, also a member of the 68 class, was a recent member of the Affiliate Board
ORBIS OFFERINGS FOR AUGUST 2018
John and Mary Moritz are members of the Jacksonville/St. Augustine Chapter as well as Regional Coordinators for the Southeast Region. John is an avid reader (particularly of Orbis Books) and periodically provides this review of books from Orbis. (Bob Short)
- Beyond Original Sin - Diarmuid O’Murchu
Is not an original thought, but continues and develops theological systems that link back to popular theologians from the 1980’s like Matthew Fox and the concept of original blessing. His developments focus on the economic and political world that we live in as a consequence of the process of land acquisition and distribution beginning with the agricultural revolution about 10,000 BCE when we began to settle from being hunter-gatherers to farming as a staple of food source. The author enumerates seven strategic alternatives to his list of those things that have corrupted or coopted human creativity. I am forced to wonder after reading them what would really push him into saying something positive. Like so many of us, he lives in the benefit of those things that he would decry. I would place this offering along with its author in the category of prophetic witness of the half empty variety who has yet to discover an adequate means of being filled.
- Sermons on the Parables - Howard Thurman
This is a book that is best consumed in small quantities. The book is a compilation of, as the title suggests, sermons delivered by this very talented and soul filled preacher. While they have a distinct style of the period in which they were presented (the 1950’s) these reflections evoke both self-examination and experience of the presence of God, expressed in the life and message of Jesus. His writing quickly moves the reader from the religion of the center to the quite dangerous Gospel of the periphery. This is a book that I plan to put on my bookshelf and pull out again for Lent.
- “The Compassion Connection” Recovering Our Original Oneness - Catherine T Nerney
A sister of Saint Joseph, the author uses anecdote and story to vividly portray the deep spirituality and theological insight of one who has lived as well as studied the Christian message. What I like most about this book, was the facility with which she was able to move from Karl Rahner to Oscar Romero, from Pema Chodron to John of the Cross. Her considerations about Eucharist are well worth our time and attention. It seems to me, that this is a person who has well integrated the best of our tradition with an engaging zest for the world she inhabits.
- “Rejoice and Be Glad” On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World (Gaudete et Exultate) - Pope Francis
This is the apostolic Exhortation on the universal call to holiness that is worth purchasing for the introduction by Orbis Editor Robert Ellsberg. At a time when we all feel the pain of discord within our Church, this is a read that will say “Yes” to those so ready to be the voice of no. We all want to rejoice and be glad, Pope Francis reminds of why this is our mission call.
- “Refuge In Hell” Finding God in Sing Sing - Ronald D. Lemmert
Written by the long-time chaplain of the Sing Sing prison near Maryknoll, NY, tells the stories of his “parish” life. Stories of joy and pain, describe humanity at its worst and best. Within the broken criminal justice system, Fr. Lemmert portrays a picture of hope born of forgiveness, reconciliation and liberation from the hell of addiction, and violence. This “parish” gives flesh to Pope Francis’ description of “field hospital” as the paradigm for our communities.
- “Asian Christianities” History, Theology, Practice - Peter C. Phan
This book is the compilation of lectures given by the author at the University of Birmingham, UK. A serious scholarly endeavor, Phan nevertheless, injects this work with his personal life experience as a Vietnamese immigrant to the U.S. For those who have not spent a lot of time investigating Asian spirituality and religion, this book gives a broad introduction to a world that is completely foreign to American attitudes and values. When I read this author, I begin to have some concept of what we Affiliates refer to as the pillar of global awareness.
Maryknoll Affiliate Mission
An opportunity to spend a week with fellow-Maryknoll Affiliates in prayer, reflection, comaraderie, and service to the poorest of the poor. A week in Mission!
If you are thinking of joining other Affiliates in Houston, please contact Dick or Bob (emails below) to register or for further information. The number of participants is limited to 24
Sponsored By – Houston Maryknoll Affiliate Chapter
When – Sunday, November 11, to Saturday, November 17
Where – Brazoria County, Texas (just South of Houston)
FURTHER INFORMATION (repeated from previous post):
Tools – Will be provided (unless you are driving, then bring them if you have them)
What to Bring – Clothes (including work clothes), toiletries and towels
Weather – average high in November is 74 and average low 52
Capacity – 24 missioners – The Cameron House has six suites; each suite has two rooms, a full bath, and four single beds
More Information – Contact Bob Kleeman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dick Horstman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
To register – Contact Dick Horstman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Affiliate Board - Opportunity of a Lifetime
Written by Gerry MullaneyAn Opportunity of a Lifetime
The Nominating Committee of the Affiliate Board—that would be me, Gerry Mullaney—is calling on all Affiliates to consider candidates for the Board and then to bring them forth for nomination. Don’t be shy. Don’t deny anyone this opportunity. Competition will not be fierce unless we are inundated with nominations.
Board membership involves a 3 year term (with renewal possible for another 3 years), 2 Board meetings per year along with conference calls, and application of leadership, wisdom, and creativity for policy development and decision making.
We occasionally have some fun as well. It is certainly a joy to come together with good people to form the Affiliate leadership that supports and encourages our world wide membership to advance Jesus’ mission in the world.
Board Application and Nomination forms are available on the Maryknoll Affiliates website [If you have difficulty finding it, contact Bob Short at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ]
Gerry Mullaney is available at 330-414-5580 and at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to give information, take questions, or to follow up on possible nominees. In fact, a good first step would be to contact me for some informal conversation about potential candidates. I would enjoy this, and I hope you would as well. I know that Executive Coordinator, Bob Short, is available and I think that he may have a better sense of humor than I do—so feel free to call on Bob as well.
They Dance Alone (Sting)
Kitty Madden, who has spent over 30 years of her life in Nicaragua as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner and, for most of that time, as an Affiliate, forwarded this link. It’s a moving song by Sting (1990) remembering the mothers of Chile during the time of Pinochet. Kitty wrote that, “They Dance Alone brings us hope for the mothers and all the people of Nicaragua and for all the mothers (and fathers) seeking to be reunited with their children from whom they were separated there in the U.S. at the border.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h4d-vB6NzI
More...
Maryknoll Affiliate Mission
An opportunity to spend a week with fellow-Maryknoll Affiliates in prayer, reflection, comaraderie, and service to the poorest of the poor. A week in Mission!
Sponsored By – Houston Maryknoll Affiliate Chapter
Spiritual Director – Father Gerry Kelly, MM
When – Sunday, November 11, to Saturday, November 17
Where – Brazoria County, Texas (just South of Houston)
Outreach – To assist in the repair of homes in Holiday Lakes, a rural, immigrant community badly damaged by the flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey.
Work – No special skills required. Work is likely to be installing drywall, painting and clean-up.
Where Are We Staying? – Cameron House, a modern facility owned by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the former home of the Basilian Fathers in Brazoria County - located in a rural area six miles from Holiday Lakes.
Cost of Staying at the Cameron House - $0
Cost of Meals - $25.00/day - includes 3 meals (including drinks) and snacks
Airfare (if you are flying to Houston) – Participants will arrange and pay for their own air travel to Houston.
Ground Transportation (if you are flying to Houston) – Will be organized once we know your flight arrangements. If we need to rent a van, that cost will be shared.
Tools – Will be provided (unless you are driving, then bring them if you have them)
What to Bring – Clothes (including work clothes), toiletries and towels
Weather – average high in November is 74 and average low 52
Capacity – 24 missioners – The Cameron House has six suites; each suite has two rooms, a full bath, and four single beds
More Information – Contact Bob Kleeman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dick Horstman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
To register – Contact Dick Horstman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
UPDATE - Guatemalan Volcano of Fire
Written by Volcán de Fuego Committee - Guatemala ChapterTHANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SOLIDARITY
The response of the Maryknoll family to the Volcano of Fire (Volcán de Fuego) that erupted on June 3rd in Guatemala was a wonderful expression of solidarity.
In response, the Guatemala Chapter formed the Volcano of Fire Committee composed of Sister Dee Smith, MM and Affiliates Cecilia Garcés, Rosa María de León, Ana Garcés and Rosa Beatriz Castañeda de Larios. This committee, with the support of the Chapter, analyzed the situation of the victims; the needs already met; the organizations involved, and the government response. The immediate needs were covered but the conditions for settling again and moving forward have not yet been resolved. There is still a long way to go, requiring time, government decisions and financial support. The committee agreed, after giving assistance to the purchase of medicines and medical material, to work with the Firefighters and focus on addressing future situations that have a more lasting effect. In the week of July 15, a donation of 25% of the donations received was given to four areas below.
- Community Studies and Psychosocial Action Team (ECAP). Prevention/attention to cases of violence against women and girls in shelters.
- Support for the Hernández-Sánchez Family: Three brothers and one sister, thirteen children. In the tragedy they lost their mother Olivia Sánchez and her sister Saida Lisbet Hernández, both identified and buried. The fund will be used to cover health care. One of the children, aged twelve, was hospitalized for five weeks because of burns on his feet and legs. The woman, who lost two teenage daughters, has needed gynecological attention. The child who suffered burns will need a wheelchair
- TECHO – an organization present in Latin America and the Caribbean that, through joint actions of its residents and young volunteers, seeks to overcome the situation of poverty that thousands of people are exposed to in precarious settlements. They have been working with Los Lotes for those who have experienced 100% damage in their respective communities.
- Community Councils for Urban and Rural Development (COCODE). This entity brings together various representatives from different socio-economic sectors of the population. They belong to the national system of Development Counselors of Guatemala, which is constitutionally created.
Based on their access to help and benefits, the COCODES locate and maintain communications with the inhabitants of Los Lotes, Alotenango,
In the month of August, the committee will evaluate the management of the funds delivered and will make the rest of the money available to the projects that are considered reliable and capable of dispersing the funds.
In solidarity
FIRE VOLCANO COMMITTEE
Portland Mini Conference - Maryknoll & Nonviolence
Written by Mary Ryan Hotchkiss
Maryknoll Affiliates in Action
While saber-rattling and violence makes the news, Portland Maryknoll Affiliates urge you to take action positively by joining them for Mission Nonviolence, Sept. 21-23. This free regional conference if open to all Affiliates and Maryknollers. Come to learn and experience more of our tradition of nonviolence, its beauty and effectiveness. Come and share your story of growth and reconciliation with organizations who are working nonviolently for the Beloved Community. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or with this completed RSVP form.
Mission Nonviolence – RSVP
Maryknoll Affiliates Mini-Regional Conference
Portland, Oregon Sept. 21-23, 2018
Moving our Broader Community to Nonviolence and Peace
We explore Active Nonviolent approaches for addressing the challenges before us.
Bring information about your causes.
Email this document as your RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please provide your information below and mark each event you will attend.
Date__________ Email_________________________________ Affiliate Chapter _______________
Name_________________________________________ Phone _____________________________
Suggested free will donation: $10 to Spirit of Grace. Donations are appreciated and help cover our costs
____ Friday, Sept. 21, 6 PM – Maryknoll Affiliate social and casual dinner at the Hotchkiss home.
Location: 35 NW 107th Ave., Portland OR 97229. Food and beverages are provided.
FOCUS: Share your ideas about Maryknoll Spirituality and Community.
____ Saturday, Sept. 22, 9 AM-4 PM – Active Nonviolence Workshop – Open to the public.
Rivera Sun, Active Nonviolence trainer will provide strategies for addressing change.
Location: Spirit of Grace, Mission of the Atonement Lunch is provided.
7400 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Beaverton OR 97008 MAP link
5:30 PM Catholic Mass at Spirit of Grace.
____ Sat. Sept. 22, 7:00 PM: Affiliate Open Mic – enjoy pizza and share stories, songs, skits, etc.
____ Sunday, Sept. 23, 12:30 PM – Maryknoll Affiliate gathering and catered lunch.
Location to be announced at the workshop on Saturday, Sept. 22.
FOCUS: Share your ideas and plans for Global Vision and Action.
To honor the practice of Active Nonviolence and Care for Creation, all provided meals are meatless.
____ I have a special diet and I will bring my own food. (Refrigerator and microwave are available.)
The conference does not provide housing. A few motels close to the meeting location:
Peppertree Inn (503) 641-7477; Embassy Suites (503) 644-4000; Marriot Courtyard (503) 641-3200
Staying with friends in the Portland area? Invite them to RSVP and join us!
____ I need local transportation. My cell phone: __________________________
____ I can provide local transportation. My cell phone: _______________________
(We may share phone numbers between those who need/can provide transportation.)
I am happy to help with: (Please mark all that apply.)
Friday: Greeter ____ Set-up ____ Clean-up ____
Saturday Workshop: Greeter/Door person____ Song leader____ Set-up/Clean-up____
Saturday Mass: Lector____ Eucharistic Minister____ Music leader/Music selection ____
Saturday Open Mic: MC ____ List organizer ____ Entertainment ____ Clean up ____
Sunday 12:30 Lunch: Greeter____ Set-up/clean-up____ Other:____________________ 180703
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