MAC 2027 Update - The Presenters

MAC 2027– Exciting Developments Early On

When Covid filled the land, the Maryknoll Affiliate Conference (MAC) planned for that time had to be abandoned. The work associated with the new Affiliate status as a 501c3 nonprofit extended the years for holding a MAC.  But now MAC 2027 is very much a go, and the MAC planning team is especially  excited about what has already fallen into place for the MAC scheduled for September 12-15, 2027, at the beautiful Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ. To view the Center go to: Home | The Casa FRC

The theme of MAC 2027 is: Growing into a New Era Rooted in Maryknoll. In Spanish: Evolucionando hacia una nueva era inspirados en Maryknoll

While many of the details (a MAC website, schedule, registration, scholarships, etc.) are being worked out, we are very pleased to announce that two presenters have already been committed. They are:

Pádraig Ó Tuama

Pádraig Ó Tuama, keynote: Pádraig Ó Tuama (b. 1975 Cork, Ireland) is a poet, theologian and storyteller with interests in conflict, language and religion.   Pádraig is poet in residence with the Cooperation and Conflict Resolution Center at Columbia University. He serves as faculty at Yale Divinity School as a Professor in the practice of Spirituality.  He is a sort after speaker globally. Of many glowing comments about him, here are just two::

“Putting to work poetry and gospel, side by side with story and Celtic spirituality, Ó Tuama explores ideas of shelter along life’s journey, opening up gentle ways of living well in a troubled world. The reader can’t help but be drawn in, slip-sliding into the harbor of the author’s soulful words.” —Chicago Tribune

“Pádraig Ó Tuama is an extraordinary person, whose influence extends quietly and gracefully across the world. His poetry bears these same qualities and brings him close. It is a gift to us all.” —Krista Tippett, Creator of On Being

Sr. Dee Smith MM

Sr. Delia Marie (Dee) Smith MM, presenter: (b 1774 near the rolling hills of the Pennines in the north of England. She joined the Volunteer Missionary Movement; a British based Catholic volunteer service started in the early 1970s by Edwina Gateley. Dee was initially assigned to Kenya. East Africa to teach for 2 years but ended up staying 13 years. In 1990 Dee joined the Maryknoll sisters and was assigned to Guatemala in 1994 to establish the only Catholic HIV response at that time with the approval of the Guatemala Bishops Conference. 32 years later she is still working with HIV related issues but also “returning to my ‘roots’ of caring for the land and living and promoting an ecologically integrated way of life for the rural poor of Guatemala.”

One of my highlights over these past few years is to become more and more integrated into the Guatemala Affiliates movement and to collaborate at all levels with so many of its members. Those of us who know “Dee” are struck by her passion, authenticity, commitment to the poor and to the land, and her insights about

Much more to come. Registration will begin next spring.