El Paso: Update & Some Clarification
There has already been an enthusiastic response to the El Paso survey from the posting last week. In addition to moral support for the initiative, many, even at this early stage, have already said they would look forward to volunteering – both short and long term. Not surprisingly, many also asked for more details… “What will I be doing if I volunteer?” Not a bad question. J
The vision for the El Paso Border Initiative is twofold: (1) Initiate a collaborative Maryknoll (and possibly others) intentional community with both long and short term community members to reflect, live, strategize, eat, socialize, etc., together. (2) Respond to the needs of the immigrant and refugee community in El Paso.
Admittedly, that is not a crystal clear here-are-all-the-details response. To give such a response, the major components – housing, finances, Maryknollers willing to be a part, evaluating processes, orientation, etc. – would need to be in place. That is not yet the case but we are carefully looking into all those areas. The survey was primarily to gage interest. The response has already been very encouraging. We move on.
Once we can secure housing- most probably with other Maryknoll expressions, we can begin to concretize the particulars of the who, what & when. So, while we are committed to move forward with the El Paso initiative, and hopefully soon, it is an aspiration at this moment.
If you didn’t get a chance to complete the survey and would like to, Please click on the line below to indicate your support. Are you interested in a community at the Border that collaborates with Maryknoll missioners and others currently working there?
Please open and complete this Google Form
by April 24, 2023:
Or download the survey at
Print, complete, and mail the completed survey to:
Maryknoll Affiliates, PO Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302