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Year: 2015

Millennial Lenten Reflections: Stay the course

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  We’re well into Lent. Perhaps what we gave up (or promised ourselves to…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Have Mercy

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Today in the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees present Jesus with an adulterous…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Go forth

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” What a powerful way…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Judge not

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  In today’s Gospel, Nicodemus questions the Pharisees by asking, “Does our law condemn…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: He is close to me, and to you

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Jesus knew His purpose in life would require intense suffering and the ultimate…

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The Dippas

After the long wait, I finally arrived in Jamaica, and it has not failed to impress. Immediately I notice the unspeakable beauty of the island. Lush jungles, incredible coastal vistas, soft sand beaches, and cooling gentle breezes whistling through the palms. I also took note of the massive houses speckled around the island hills. Alongside…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Actions speak louder than words

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Actions speak louder than words, they say. But aren’t some words helpful? Today…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: He lives in you

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Today’s Gospel speaks of the intimate union between the Son and the Father…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Calling all servants

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  I’m writing this on a Sunday, and as I lay resting after guiding…

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Ten things that I could give up for Lent in Cochabamba without trying

Starbuck’s…oh how I miss you, chai tea latte! Television…don’t have one, and don’t need one! Driving…public transportation is the way to go! Microwave…nope, don’t have one of these either. A friend and I were just talking about all of the years we could add onto our lives by avoiding potential dangers associated with microwaves…even though…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Eternal spring is ahead!

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  This time of year it’s easy to get caught in the late-winter doldrums.…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: A call to action

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  The second reading from St. Paul to the Ephesians doesn’t always strike me…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Let go of control, embrace God

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  It is tempting to measure the health of our faith—and that of others—by…

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Journey to the Blue Mountains

Recently one of the priests in Savannah la Mar had a friend visit Jamaica. For the occasion, we were given the opportunity to hike to the top of the famous Blue Mountains of Jamaica located near the capital of Kingston. Since I arrived here in Jamaica, we’ve been constantly busy with our new lives here,…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: The Commandments for Dummies

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Today’s Gospel is a simple, straightforward exchange between Jesus and a scribe—you could…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Harden not your Heart

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  The first reading and the reading from today’s Holy Gospel strike a similar…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: The Bigger Picture

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  For much of Lent, our attention is turned inward as we examine our…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Time to Double Down

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  The question posed to Jesus in today’s Gospel speaks to our Lenten journey.…

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Embracing God’s Plan

I have been a planner my whole life. I rely on my color-coded calendar, countless to-do lists, and multiple email tabs everyday to keep myself organized and structured. I generally don’t enjoy being spontaneous or going with the flow. When I committed to FMS I liked knowing that I had a plan and a goal…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Building Anticipation

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  For Christians all over the world, Lent is a season of prayer, almsgiving,…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: The House the Father Built

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  In today’s Gospel, I hear loud voices of men bartering in the temple…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Lost and Found

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “‘My son, you are with me always; everything I have is yours. But…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: All you need is love

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Joseph in his beautiful tunic is a familiar image from the Bible and…

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Libre Soy

Editor’s Note: The name of the individual involved has been changed.  During my first year in Bolivia, I was visiting a group of inmates in Hospital Viedma when I met Jose. He had been sent from the prison to the hospital to receive treatment for TB and to prevent an outbreak in the prison. After…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Don’t Worry, Act Faithfully

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…Is not life more than…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: A Break from Distractions

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  What is it about our constant desire to be the best? To be…

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My Bolivian Angel

I remember the moment well. It was April of last year. I was on a Skype call with Kim, the director of FMS. I was telling her about how, with language school behind me, I was just starting to settle into my new ministry sites. We had just moved into the Centro Social, so that…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Confronting Fear

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Fear is an emotion I know well. I feel afraid daily living as…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Godly Compassion

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  In today’s gospel, we are challenged to stop judging one another. Instead, we…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: God Knows Best

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  In today’s readings, we read two seemingly competing stories of God speaking of…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Put your Faith in Him

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Why do bad things happen to good people? This question is repeated time…

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The Reality of Culture Shock

Culture shock is definitely a real thing. I have been feeling culture shock everywhere I look since coming to Bolivia. Everything is different here—from the way that things look, the concept of time, family structure and even the way that people go to the bathroom. During my first week I felt like I was walking…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Offer your Gifts

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  I’ve always been my own harshest critic.  My perfectionism has waned as I’ve…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Sharing the Grace of God

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “For everyone who asks, receives.” I can’t remember when I realized I wanted…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: New Life

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew…

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Lessons in the Loom

A few weeks ago, the language school my fellow missioner, Amanda, and I attend invited students to go on a tour of a nearby weaving co-op. Guatemala is an incredibly colorful country, and the city of Xela is filled with women going about their daily routines while wearing traditional huipils (blouses) and faldas (skirts). These…

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At Long Last!

Well I finally did it. I made it to Jamaica. After about a month of being at home and ending the sadness of the Superbowl, I have arrived to this beautiful country of Jamaica. A country known for it’s beaches , resorts, and heat. The week that I came to Jamaica was the start of…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: The Lord’s Prayer

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Today’s gospel gives us the Lord’s Prayer.  A staple of Christian tradition, the…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Do it for the team!

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “We need to get back to basics.”  It’s something you might hear a…

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Making the Comfortable Uncomfortable

In July, 2009 I attended a social justice immersion summer camp with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The week long camp challenged high school students from different parts of Maryland to learn about the injustices that were affecting Baltimore City and how we could be advocates for justice and change. During the week we visited many…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: “Filled with God”

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every…

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Embrace language on International Mother Language Day

Editor’s Note: The following post is written by Nate Mortenson. Viviana (mentioned in the post) is fourth on the right in the featured image. I want to share a story from a former teacher of mine at the Merryknoll Language Institute in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Her name is Viviana and she was born and raised in…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: To Serve Others

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  Sometimes the question comes up of why we should even pray, fast, or…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Give and Receive

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  When I read today’s first reading, I was reminded of our human weakness.…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Our Daily Cross

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his…

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The Light of Belen

I went to my first misa de la luz de Belen (mass of the light of Bethlehem) in December. I went with a new friend from Poland and found out that this Girl and Boy Scout tradition happens around the world, and that the light is actually being passed from city to city as well.…

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Millennial Lenten Reflections: Ash Wednesday

Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.  The ancient and holy season of Lent comes upon us once again. The…

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Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes

“Would you do me the kindness of coming here?” This is the invitation that Mary extended to Bernadette in the Grotto at Lourdes in 1858, asking her to meet there for 15 days. This invitation is offered to every person, even 157 years later because Lourdes isn’t about an apparition, it’s not about a girl…

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Sharing Love as Far as Possible

Editor’s Note: The featured image is of Guy and Lilian celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. May 28th was the fiftieth wedding anniversary of my host parents, Guy and Lilian.  I cannot put into words how humbled I am by their continued kindness, and how they have welcomed me into their family with open arms.  At…

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San Damiano Servant Leadership Award Winner Announced

Editor’s Note: Award winner Emma Laut pictured on far left of featured image. Franciscan Mission Service is proud to present the first-ever San Damiano Servant Leadership Award to Emma Laut of Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Through her extensive work with several social justice-minded organizations and her dedication to her faith in Christ, Laut embodies…

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