Living the Affiliate Pillars in a Coffee Shop

Maryknoll Affiliates live out the 4 pillars (Community, Spirituality, Global Vision & Action) uniquely to each chapter’s demographics, culture, gifts and understanding of what can bring life to a given community. For example, Affiliates in Arequipa, Peru actually built a community center where they could serve the needs of poor niños and ancianos (children and old folks). Members of the Chicago chapter have dedicated themselves to serving and protecting migrants and immigrants. The Mwanza, Tanzania Chapter worked with some Maryknoll Lay Missioners construct a Kitchen at the Lake House of Prayer.

Last week, in a letter following his donation to the Affiliate Movement, John Prenger of the Columbia, MO Chapter, included a handwritten note (not many of them these days) that was especially encouraging to read. While his description was straightforward and simple with no need for added veneer, it became clear reading it that all 4 pillars were being lived out in these gatherings. It was heartwarming and provided some realistic possibilities for many of us.

We meet at a coffee shop every second and fourth Saturday morning for 2 hours. We share faith and the books we are reading that are based on our spiritual, political, historical or environmental interests. We are a strong and excellent small faith community that is also very ecumenical. Several of us join a protest for Palestine later every Saturday in downtown Columbia, MO. In my estimation, we are a very spiritually healthy Maryknoll Affiliate community. John