A Lenten call to conversion
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Lay missioners in El Salvador share their mission stories
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Our
lay missioners in El Salvador
accompany internally displaced refugees, homeless persons and people in economically poor squatters' communities. They work in education, youth services, parish outreach, economic empowerment, nutrition, agriculture and environmental concerns. In
this four-minute video
, they talk about their lives and ministries in a country that continues to experience
an epidemic of gang-related violence, while also celebrating life and nurturing many seeds of hope.
Watch the video here.
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Ted's Talk
Dear friends,
If every human alive today consumed as much as the average U.S. citizen, it would take more than four earths to support that.
During my recent travels to Cambodia and Bolivia, I found myself wondering about the call and purpose of mission today. Is it merely to elevate the socioeconomic status of our sisters and brothers in poverty, while unbridled consumerism remains unchallenged? Or
is mission summoning all of us to conversion
and a deeper, selfless relationship with each other and all creation? Does it demand simplicity and sacrifice for some of us, so that many others may fully live the life of dignity God intended for all?
In his
2019 Lenten message
, Pope Francis reminds us that the path to Easter is conversion, asking us to “leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and … stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming power to all of creation.”
I see these words authentically expressed in the lives and commitment of both our lay missioners and our global sisters and brothers who receive them. As we journey in this season of Lent, may the Holy Father’s invitation become our prayer and turn our hearts toward a life of authentic mission.
Wishing you a blessed Lenten journey,
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Ted Miles
Executive Director
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Children's book is a true gift
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In an effort to raise consciousness in Cambodia about the gifts of children with disabilities, lay missioner
Maria Montello
has published a beautifully illustrated children's book called
The Gift
. “The story is about many things—compassion, generosity, hope," Maria says. "Most obviously, though, it is about disability. The topic is especially important for Cambodia, a country where people with disabilities are invisible and neglected, and disability is misunderstood."
Read the full story on our website.
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"I was in prison, and you
visited me"
(Matthew 25:36)
As disciples of Christ, we are called to live the
corporal works of mercy.
When our lay missioners in Brazil visit the imprisoned, their visit is for many of the prisoners the only connection they have to the outside world
—
a connection that reassures them of God's love, forgiveness and mercy
.
During this Lenten season, please pray for and support Maryknoll Lay Missioners.
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Is God calling you to global mission?
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Come explore that call with us at a
Discernment Retreat
April 18-20 (Holy Week) at
Maryknoll in Ossining, New York
This retreat is open to all considering a call to serve—
whether as a lay person, a sister, a priest, or a brother.
For more information, to register (by April 8), or to learn more about the opportunities for mission as a Maryknoll lay missioner,
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Join a webinar
to learn more about what life as a Maryknoll lay missioner would be like
on
Monday, March 11 at 4 p.m.
(Eastern time).
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Friends Across Borders
Immersion Program
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Come travel with us and see what life is really like in communities where Maryknoll lay missioners are living out their faith and helping to create a more just and compassionate world.
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Sign up for one of these trips next summer:
•
August 7 – 17, 2019:
BOLIVIA
Deadline for signups: May 7, 2019
•
August 10 – 20, 2019:
CAMBODIA
, with
Just
Faith Ministries
Deadline for signups: May 10, 2019
•
August 13 – 25, 2019:
TANZANIA,
with
Just
Faith Ministries
Deadline for signups: May 13, 2019
Pole pole ndiyo mwendo
.
–
Slowly, slowly is the way we go.
For people in Tanzania, life is about relationships and being with others. Maryknoll Lay Missioners invites you to meet and spend time with the local people in the beautiful, diverse cities of Mwanza and Musoma and in the famous Serengeti region. The trip will maintain a balance between learning and experiencing the work of lay missioners in Tanzania and enjoying all the wonderful cultural opportunities that Tanzania has to offer. By accompanying our missioners in their daily ministries, you will gain unique insights into the culture, faith, and struggles of the people in Tanzania.
Call 914-236-3474
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