Hady Mendez
2014: Year in Review
As 2014 draws to a close, we reflect with gratitude on the past year and those who make our ministries possible. Here are a few organizational highlights from another fruitful year of encouraging the laity to follow the Franciscan mission tradition of sharing in the lives with those on the margins. Thank you for supporting us as…
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I Have a Sister Again!
Lay missioner Hady Mendez talks about one of the new friends she has made in Cochabamba, Bolivia. As the youngest of four sisters, I’m used to being the “little sister.” However, during the times I’ve formally participated in the Big Brother Big Sister program back in the states, I’ve really enjoyed being the “older sister”…
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Bridge-Building in Bolivia
Lay missioner Hady Mendez answers one of the questions mostly frequently asked of a missioner: “What do you do in Bolivia?” I build bridges. No, not the kind people walk on or cars drive across. I build other types of bridges. Another way to describe what I do is “bring people together”. It’s not actually…
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Mission Monday: I’m Happy Here!
In today’s post, we share the joy, wonder, and happiness expressed by current lay missioner Hady Mendez at the beauty of mission service. I’m happy here in Bolivia. And even as I write these words, I’m knocking on wood because I don’t want to somehow jinx myself. I’ll admit it. I didn’t expect to be…
Read MoreTakeway Wednesday: Jack Jezreel’s Anselm Moons, OFM Award Acceptance Speech!
Earlier this Spring, Franciscan Mission Service celebrated the 2014 World Care Benefit! In today’s blog, we share the inspiring acceptance speech of Anselm Moons, OFM award recipient Jack Jezreel. Enjoy the full text of his speech. Originator of the JustFaith program, a faith formation program for adults, Jack Jezreel also contributed to our Lenten blog…
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Forming New Disciples: 2014 World Care Benefit
Franciscan Mission Service recently celebrated the 2014 World Care Benefit! In today’s blog, we share the evening in a post of gratitude for Anselm Moons, OFM award recipient Jack Jezreel, keynote speaker Fr. Dan Horan, OFM, and all of our sponsors and members of the Franciscan family. As part of Friday night’s 2014 World Care…
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Mission Monday: “How Life Prepared Me for Mission”
In today’s post, current missioner Hady Mendez reflects on how the relationships she developed and enjoyed before mission prepared her for her ministry of presence as a Franciscan lay missioner. When I was living in New York, I used to often go to a salon in Jersey City. Mary owned the salon. Lucy did my…
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Mission Monday: Persistence!
In today’s post, first-year missioner Hady Mendez shares her experience climbing the steep mountain to reach Cochabamba’s famous landmark, Cristo de la Concordia, the largest Jesus statue in the world. WE DID IT! This picture was taken just minutes from reaching the top of the mountain and seeing the beautiful statue. I got up at…
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On Mission with Hady Mendez: “This is Not Vacation”
Current missioner Hady Mendez writes about the realities of cultural adaptation while on mission and a few successful methods of addressing them. Hady and Caitlin having ice cream This is not vacation. This is my life. Cailtin and I were walking home from language school like we have every day since school started on January…
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Sacraments and Social Mission: The Holy Spirit at Work
Continuing our series Sacraments and Social Mission: Living the Gospel, Being Disciples, current missioner Hady Mendez writes today about her faith’s relationship to Confirmation, the Holy Spirit, and her response to God through her mission service. When I was sitting in my JustFaith class back in late 2012, the spirit truly moved me to give…
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The Light of One: The Gift of Your Self
Continuing our Advent reflection series today on International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, we keep in mind that all relationships must be founded in dignity. Current Missioner Hady Mendez reflects on the affirming dignity she received during her relationship with her spiritual director. “I love my spiritual director!” Everyone has heard me say this…
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“This, my friends, is Ministry of Presence”
ME: I’m going to be Audrey Hepburn for Halloween. You know who she is, right? MAC: Nah, never heard of her. ME: Let me show you a picture. You’ll probably recognize her. SHOW HIM PIC. MAC: Nah, I don’t know who that is. Hady serving coffee to the men at Fr. McKenna Center I had…
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I…ummm….I’m a Missioner.
Franciscan missioner Hady Mendez reflects on embracing her new identity as a lay missioner. We did collaborative training this past week with three other mission organizations: Maryknoll Lay Missioners , Society of African Lay Missioners , and Comboni Lay Missionary Program . In all, there were 16 missioners preparing for life on mission. It was…
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Welcome Back, Kotter — I mean, Hady
Photo by flickr user Olivier de Sedona Missioner-in-training Hady Mendez reflects on her past and future. You ever heard of the hit TV show “Welcome Back Kotter,” which aired back in the ’70s? It’s a story of a teacher who graduates from a high school in Brooklyn and ends up going back to the same…
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A Poem for Bolivia (and more)
Franciscan Mission Service file photo A few thoughts from missioner-in-training Hady Mendez on Bolivia, her recent retreat, and scripture. Bolivia I do not know you YET Will you welcome me with a warm embrace? Show me your people — I know how they suffer. Injustice and racism take their toll. Tears and sadness. Doesn’t…
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Catholic Heroes — Can’t Get Enough of Them!
Missioner-in-training Hady Mendez comments on some of the media she has been exposed to during formation for mission. “There But For the Grace of God” was the name of a funk/disco song when I was growing up. I remember dancing to the song quite a bit yet never giving a second thought to what the…
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Walking the Walk – I’m On My Way
Here’s the latest blog post from missioner-in-training Hady Mendez. Hady and her five classmates are training at our Washington, D.C. headquarters for service to Bolivia. We have been discussing the notion of “simplicity” during formation. Essentially, the act of “living more with less”. I wish I could explain the new direction my life is taking,…
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Can I Get An Amen?
From The McKenna Center Missioner-in-training Hady Mendez talks about meeting the men at her Wednesday morning service site. As I think about social justice, children come to mind. And women. But I hardly ever find myself thinking about the men that need help on their journey and what I could be doing to accompany them.…
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