January/February 2016 Volume 25 Number 1
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Not So Far Afield A NEWSLETTER OF THE MARYKNOLL AFFILIATES January/February 2016 Volume 25 Number 1 SPIRITUALITY, SAN DIEGO STYLE A Chapter Profile an Diego Affiliates used a meeting early in 2015 to ask themselves, “What drew you to become S Spencer Rickwa, a part of this group?” on mission in and “What keeps Bolivia, treated a “What drew you you coming back?” young child. Their answers, which to become a part member Michele of this group?” Dunne summarized, were very revealing. Personal invitation and a personal connection to someone in the chapter drew them in, and Spirituality and Community (two of the Affiliates’ Four Pillars) keep them coming back. This Chapter of dedicated folks enjoys deep on mission in Bolivia in affiliation with Maryknollers. international connections. Some of their grown “Now they lead an NGO—Bridges to Healing children work with the poor overseas. Jim Deharpporte International (www.bridgestohealing.org)—that raises has worked for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for funds for medical support and nurses, working with over 40 years and has lived in many countries. One 300 plus kids in two orphanages in Mexico and five in couple continued living in Central America after being Bolivia. We all are their fans and some of our Affiliate missionaries. Another is associated with the Jesuit group help them out.” Volunteer Corps. Several of the San Diego Affiliates are deeply involved with immigrants through Saint These Affiliates each have their work—their mission, Vincent DePaul or other groups. and they come together not to work on a joint project, but rather to share, receive support, reflect, and Charlie Reilly praised Affiliates Spencer and Erin enjoy sustenance in a like-minded community. While Rickwa and their young family. With their four young they support the children, two years ago they spent about five months broader Affiliate movement, their “What keeps you main connection is coming back?” their local chapter. Nevertheless, in 2009 San Diego joined with the Los Angeles Chapter to host a Regional Conference on Peace at the University of San Diego. One San Diego Affiliate considered attending the 2015 Regional Conference in Seattle because of personal connections with a presenter. Other Affiliate chapters are encouraged to ask themselves these same questions, ”What drew you to become a part of this chapter?” and “What keeps you coming back?” Share your chapter’s answers with the Longtime employee of CRS, James DeHarpporte enjoys Charlie and Not So Far Afield. Marta Reilly’s hospitality at the Chapter meeting. Not So Far Afield January/February 2016 RADICal—or Violent? they went to the border, in Haiti, in Guatemala, and El Salvador, New Orleans, or Georgia. Countercultural, We’ve read about it, maybe even met them, ...radicals. radical views often develop through Maryknoll mission Some become radicalized at the border, or when experiences, as does nonviolence. working in another country. Have you been radicalized? Tell us how you’ve Maura, Ita, Francis, and Jesus, were radicals. They been changed, experienced reverse mission, even embody radical love, radical hospitality, radical mercy been radicalized, by your nonviolent mission. We —and nonviolence. In this NSFA issue, Maryknoll encourage you to share your next steps with the Affiliates experienced radical hospitality and love when Affiliates [email protected] . THIS YEAR I RESOLVE TO o celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, from READ MORE! TDecember 8, 2015, through November 20, 2016, the end of the liturgical year and Feast of Christ the King, the Catholic Church around the world will proclaim God’s love and mercy, invoking God’s blessings and pardon. Orbis Books recommends and has sent copies of: During the Year of Mercy, as missionary disciples • All Shall Be Well: Readings for Lent and Easter through Baptism, you are invited to share mercy • Faith & Joy: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Priest moments that you have witnessed or acts of mercy by Fr. Fernando Cardenal. that you have offered to or received from others. The Maryknoll magazine will publish some submissions If you would like to write a review of one of these throughout the jubilee year. Mercy moments books, please contact [email protected]. also can be posted to a special Maryknoll Mercy Moments web page: www.maryknollsociety.org/ Not So Far Afield is a bimonthly publication of the Maryknoll Affiliates. The name is a play on the title mercymoments. of the original Maryknoll Magazine: The Field Afar. Excerpted from Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers’ Year of Mercy Dec. 7, 2015 press release. Maryknoll Affiliates are a faith-filled people responding in community to God’s call to participate Co-editors: Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss & Paula Schaffner in Jesus’ mission. We express the Maryknoll Editorial Board: Kris Neufeld Penny Robinson Spirit in the context of Chapters which gather for prayer, reflection, and action. We challenge one David Stocker another to go beyond borders, locally and globally, We welcome submission of articles by Maryknoll to walk with the poor and excluded, and to strive Affiliates and Maryknoll Missioners, as well as for peace and justice for all of God’s creation. We suggestions for articles. All submissions are subject recognize that the Spirit who guides us on our to editing. We publish articles as appropriate in journey moves without boundaries and that God’s conjunction with issue themes. unconditional love is present in all cultures and peoples. Articles in Not So Far Afield do not represent the opinion of any of the Maryknoll entities. Affiliates share in the mission and family spirit of Maryknoll Sisters, Fathers and Brothers, and Lay Please send any letters to the editor, articles, photos Missioners living lives of service around the world. or inquiries to the address below. You may also contact If you would like further information or an oppor- us if you no longer wish to receive Affiliate mailings, prefer to receive them by e-mail or read them on the tunity to attend a local chapter meeting in your web, or if you have changed your address. area, please contact the Executive Coordinator of the Maryknoll Affiliates at P.O. Box 311, Maryknoll, Maryknoll Affiliates, PO Box 311 NY 10545-0311 or e-mail rshort@maryknollaffili- Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311 ates.org. [email protected] 2 Not So Far Afield January/February 2016 Kathy Ress, Pam NORTHEAST OHIO VIEWS THE BORDER Cibik, and new Northeast Ohio Chapter Affiliate Board member Gerry amela Cibik – “We must secure the border.” Is this Mullaney hiked to not the refrain we so often hear when US politicians the Mexican side on P a trail frequented by are asked to comment on immigration? Pam Cibik, the migrants. Kathy Ress, and Gerry Mullaney—Northeast Ohio and the Border Maryknoll Affiliates—travelled to Douglas, Arizona, Patrol watching in late April to see the border. It is indeed secure, behind us. We thanks to huge sums our government is spending on greeted the miles of “Keep Out” fencing, surveillance cameras, sun with music ground sensors, and the ubiquitous US Border Patrol and prayer. We presence. Our gracious hosts, the School Sisters of could see that Notre Dame, gave us a view of this “border security.” the sun shines These wonderful women helped us to explore and on all of us, knowing no walls or borders and offering question other realities as well. These realities its warmth and energy to all. We returned home to include the fear and insecurity that seem to underlie Ohio inspired by the warmth and light of Sisters Judy such harsh practices as incarcerating hundreds Bourg, Christine Garcia, Helen Jones, and Lucy Nigh. of migrants through Operation Streamline and the athy Ress – I experienced much dialogue from the Federal Criminal Court. There is also the reality of the Kmoment we arrived to our departure. Our meals desperation, determination, and resilience of migrants with the sisters and also with other key advocates who endure such hardship and danger. Their attempts deepened my understanding of immigration issues to cross desert and mountains to escape violence or and made it emotionally real for me. Putting faces to to seek a life free of poverty have resulted in over this issue was deeply moving. Getting all the senses 2,000 recorded deaths in a 12-year period. involved brings home the suffering and desperate Filling water nature of the journeys of these families. tanks in the desert at Dialogue between all the different persons involved CRREDA, a in immigration opens up space for growth, deeper rehabilitation center in Agua understanding and change. It was fascinating to Prieta, Mexico. see how the sisters facilitated this conversation, ess. promoting respect and building bridges between folks R The most with different perspectives. exhilarating reality was the compassion hotos courtesy of Kathy and P kindness that we witnessed in the Sisters, their partners at the border, and their programs. The Migrant Center extends its welcome with food, clothing, and counseling for migrants deported following apprehension in the US and for those preparing to Affiliates met with migrants at a center in Agua Prieta, Mexico. The cross the border. The Men’s Shelter houses and feeds migrants had walked or taken trains to the border, being extorted for migrants on their difficult journey. The Sisters also money. Across the border, many would be picked up and returned to shared their relationship with partners across cultural Mexico. Many migrants appeared fearful, traumatized by the journey. and faith traditions; we prayed with their Presbyterian and Mennonite friends and heard the inspiring story From the sunrise ceremony to breaking bread together of Hermila, a resident of Agua Prieta, Mexico, who to sitting and talking with the persons migrating, all toils at low wage factory work but gives her Saturdays stereotypes or misconceptions were blown away by to volunteer at the Migrant Center.