Maryknoll Affiliates

The Philadelphia Maryknoll Affiliates gathered in September and October to complete the Experimental Model Evaluation using Appreciative Inquiry.

At the September gathering, we reflected on a passage from Mt 25:1-2, about the wedding attendants. Using a book written by Miriam Therese Winter (published by Orbis) titled eucharist with a small "e", we were introduced to a new way to interpret this story, looking at it from the perspective of how two-thirds of the world would approach it from their experience. According to the author, an "alternative understanding of this story is based on a literal reading of the text, which in itself is ironic...From a justice orientation, the foolish are wise and the wise foolishly follow the ways of the world right up to the very end, eating and drinking and making merry while the poor are kept outside. If this were the heavenly banquet, Jesus would never have barred the door, for whoever returns to him, is always-always-welcome".

The Philadelphia Maryknoll Affiliate Chapter signed onto this letter set forward by the Philadelphia New Sanctuary Movement.  We consulted with the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns prior to doing so.  This letter seeks to influence city officials in Philadelphia to refrain from renewing the city’s relationship with ICE through the Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS). This PARS agreement is similar to the “Secure Communities “program and both undermine the confidence and trust that immigrants have in the local police which in turn affects the safety of communities.