Maryknoll Affiliate Midyear Appeal

May 19, 2013

"When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."—Feast of Pentecost

Each year we seek to inspire you to unite with us financially, as well as spiritually. Your participation in the Affiliate Appeal has been growing, and for the past two years we have met our budget goals. Last year about 150 Affiliates, or 25% of us, contributed to the movement. Thus far, our 2013 Appeal has raised $12,000, a good beginning, but we need to finish. We urge you to be part of the Affiliate success story by donating today (Download the form to send in here).

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Sisters, and Lay Missioners partner with us by paying the salary and benefits of our Executive Coordinator, Bob Short. We Affiliates are only responsible for our very modest operating budget of $18,954, which offers support for the regional and international conferences, provides our traditional newsletters (NSFA, No Tan Lejos del Horizonte), as well as new initiatives in social media, postage, office rent, travel, and more. Like his predecessor, Bob uses the budget frugally, but he needs a minimum with which to work. It is particularly important that, as our new Executive Coordinator, he has the means to travel and connect with as many Affiliates as possible.

We know you already send contributions, pray, and sometimes visit or volunteer short- term with Maryknoll missioners. But your direct support of Maryknoll Affiliates is also needed. It will help us stay connected with missioners and fellow Affiliates from around the world, build community, and encourage new members and chapters to join us.

We ask you to recognize your role in the Maryknoll Affiliates by saying, "Yes, I'm glad to be an Affiliate, and I'll do my part."

With our thanks and prayers,

David Schaffner
Finance Committee, Affiliate Board

Ann Carr
Chair, Affiliate Board

 Download this appeal letter as a PDF here.

 Download the form to return here.

Maryknoll missioners call on candidates to address "global common good"

Maryknoll NY – The leadership of the three Maryknoll mission groups, recognizing the increased effect of globalization in all our lives, released a statement today calling on candidates for public office in the United States to remember to speak to critical international issues. In addition, the leaders of the mission groups – representing hundreds of Catholic men and women, ordained, vowed religious and lay people – urge political nominees to maintain respectful and civil discourse.

Read more: Maryknoll missioners call on candidates to address "global common good"

Breaking bread and building bridges

Breaking Bread and Building Bridges is part of a larger strategy from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition to lift the voices of faith communities at the local level and turn the tide for immigrants’ rights. Local events such as potlucks, vigils, and detention visitation connect advocates with those most directly affected by unjust immigration policies. The relationships that are nourished serve to build understanding and strengthen dedication for continued work toward just and humane immigration reform.

The post-election reality in 2012 ushered in a significant shift in the narrative for humane immigration reform. Grassroots involvement, including in-district meetings with members of Congress and public, prayerful witness will be critical to any national reforms. At the same time, it will be essential to continue to push for local and state policies that build welcoming communities and stop deportation.

This toolkit provides resources for congregations to engage in activities such as potlucks, vigils, and meetings with decision makers to make progress toward achieving these goals. The type of campaigns you create/join will depend on your local context, existing relationships, and passions.  

First Thoughts (Bob Short)

In A Sacred Voice Is Calling, John Neafsey writes that, “Our sense of vocation is intimately linked to the people and things that move us to passion and compassion.” On September 1^st I started in the position of Affiliate Executive Coordinator. Previous escapades with Maryknoll have included work, with my family, in Bolivia and Ecuador; six years in Lay Missioner leadership; vocation/recruitment work; and, just last year, working on the Society’s Centennial. I have been part of the Boston Affiliate chapter since its inception. Seeing this, some might credibly surmise that ‘this guy has some kind of weird Maryknoll addiction thing going on here.’ In my defense, I simply cannot shake the notion that the mission and people of Maryknoll continue to move me to passion and compassion. As the latest expression within Maryknoll, the Affiliates join with the other entities, each in their unique vocation, to live out this mission. 

While it’s too early to make any cogent projections about Affiliate developments in the months to come, what is clear is that, unlike the very difficult state of affairs Barack Obama was confronted with when he first took office, thanks to the work and planning of Fred, the Board and so many others among you, the Maryknoll Affiliate house is in very good order. I’m very grateful. Like so many who have come to know him, it quickly becomes evident that Fred is a person who goes beyond what is asked of him. I’ve now come to see that the Affiliate Board members appear to be very much in that same mold. Given that their financial compensation is in all cases a multiple of zero, I have to suspect that other motivations are at play with Board members. Rumor has it that all this can be said of many other Affiliates as well.

Read more: First Thoughts (Bob Short)