VITAL LINKS

For each edition of the Affiliate newsletter, Not So Far Afield (NSFA), Mary Ryan -Hotchkiss writes a kind of synopsis of the articles that will be featured in that edition. She also attaches a theme that she sees emerging from the articles in the corresponding edition that links to some aspect of the broader Affiliate vision.  Below is her synopsis for the January/February edition.

We are the vital links in the Chain of Friends that Janet Rousso talks about in this issue. She says

over 150 volunteers and donors came as friends to pack nonperishable food for the hungry in Haiti and

Guatemala.

Through the Maryknoll Affiliate Mission Grant Program, Gulf South Affiliates extended that chain

to other Guatemalans. With the help of mission friends in Guatemala, they brought water filters to

provide safe, life-giving water to households in Esquipulas, Guatemala. Several Affiliates comment

on their experience helping distribute the filters as vital links in the chain of friends.

Meanwhile San Diego Affiliate Erin Rickwa extended her Bridges to Healing links in Bolivia to

children in Tanzania, networking with Sr. Janet Srebalus, MM, and the Tanzanian Affiliates. Erin is

quick to credit the many Maryknoll mentors she has connected with. Two Tanzanian Affiliates, Costansia

Mbogoma and Patricia Rutahigwa, have joined the Affiliate Board to strengthen their links in this

Affiliate chain of friends.

You are a vital link in this chain. We ask, as Thomas Groot urges in this issue, that you tell us and your

associates about your participation in the ongoing chain of friends. (NSFAMaryknoll@gmail.com)

Not So Far Afield (NSFA), a bimonthly publication of the Maryknoll Affiliates, is also

available online at MaryknollAffiliates.org. Editors: Paula Schaffner, Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss,

Hugh Menton