marginalized
Accepting Differences and the Right to Fight
A perspective from Brandon Newland, first-year missioner in Jamaica Recently, the U.S. Supreme court has decided on some very large decisions. Living outside the U.S., in Jamaica, I witness what is happening in a unique way, and I have become frustrated by where we, as Americans, choose to focus our energy. Even though the political…
Handing Over the Microphone
“Les invitamos a escuchar a nuestras hermanas. Abrimos este espacio para que ellas puedan compartir sus experiencias. Ahora este espacio es para ellas.” “We invite you all to listen to our sisters. We open this space so that they can share their experiences with you. Now this space is for them.” I was holding the…
Millennial Lenten Reflections: A Holy Challenge
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 mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation.” (Psalm 71:…
Lessons from a Shirt Store
I have spent many years teaching English as a Second Language in foreign countries. In my travels, I was witness to poverty rare to the US and felt a higher power calling me to do whatever I can to support the marginalized in this world. This is how I have found myself as a lay…
Getting Over ‘Otherness’
Program associate John Quense tells how he ended up teaching yoga every Wednesday at Miriam’s Studio, an art therapy program in Washington, DC. I find that God often draws me to Himself using very personal and uncomfortable methods. This particular encounter began in my bed (pretty comfortable) while I read about the conversion of St.…
The Marginalization of Farmers and Learning from Communities
Lay missioner Annemarie Barrett continues our series, “Mother Earth Teaches: Digging Deeper into Faith, Community and Justice.” In connecting with the land, I am also growing closer to farmers. And in our time spent together I am learning more about their reality, their suffering and their resilience. In knowing the women in Santa Rosa,…
Sacraments and Social Mission: Baptism’s Dignity in the Jails of Bolivia
Today in Sacraments and Social Mission: Living the Gospel, Being Disciples: Jeff Sved writes below about his ministry to bring dignity to prisoners as fulfilling the sacrament of baptism’s call to human dignity. “Prison reform would most likely come in dead last for any social justice popularity contest in the US. “Jailed Christ” Much of that is…
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…
Mission Monday: Sharing Stories in Sacred Spaces
A watercolor by Annemarie that was inspired by the women of Santa Rosa First-year missioner Annemarie Barrett reflects on the conversations she has had with the women she has come to know in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Work. More work. Children. Husbands. Cooking. Cleaning. More cooking and more cleaning. Domestic violence. Machismo. More violence. And no justice.…
