Vocations Newsletter

In this episode of Among the People, we had two very special guests calling in from Brazil, Fr. Dennis Moorman and Sr. Euphrasia Nyaki, also goes by Sr. Efu. They speak about their journey to becoming part of the Maryknoll community and their call to dedicate their life to mission. Sr. Efu talks about her passion to serve with women who have gone through trauma and her calling to work with them to heal their wounds. Fr. Dennis, said his experience with alcohol addiction and other mental illnesses have been the motive for his want to heal people. Fr. Dennis connects his vocation to the priesthood with his call to heal those with mental illness by asking, “What did Jesus do? He traveled around and he healed people. Made people whole and he integrated them back into the community.”Sr. Efu and Fr. Dennis have been invited to work with organizations all around the world to educate individuals and groups who have gone through trauma on how to heal themselves and be better connected to their bodies. Learn more about Fr. Dennis and Sr. Efu’s work here: Fr. Dennis and Sr. Efu.
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In Pentecost at Tepeyac? Orlando Espin develops a Latinx pneumatology, or theology of the Holy Spirit, by exploring the image and enduring popular devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.He argues that all symbols are cultural creations, and furthermore, the Spirit being divine is beyond all cultures. Therefore, no one symbol–whether dove, flame, breath, or any other—can be the only symbol possible. The feminine too can culturally symbolize the divine.To experience and express their faith in God non-European cultures can and must culturally symbolize the divine, in their respective ways.By focusing on the empowering action of the Spirit among the indigent and marginalized majority of humankind and their cultures, Espín provides a clear and compelling vision of the Holy Spirit’s subversive, empowering role in human history, societies and cultures. In Pentecost at Tepeyac? 06:18 Guadalupe symbol as female expression of faith.07:52 Reflecting on Guadalupe, Mary, and the Holy Spirit.11:02 Questioning the use of masculine language for God.16:00 Guadalupe's historical timeline and peoples' devotion.18:18 Our representations of God are not truth.23:42 Jesus killed for supporting the poor. Not divine.27:17 Elizondo questions Guadalupe's miracle and its significance.30:02 Latino family with strong Catholic commitment and marginalized. Orlando O. Espín is professor emeritus of systematic…
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Wednesday of the Second Week of LentMt 20:17-28But Jesus summoned them and said,"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,and the great ones make their authority over them felt.But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serveand to give his life as a ransom for many."
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Feast of the Chair of Saint PeterMt 16:13-19"And so I say to you, you are Peter,and upon this rock I will build my Church,and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
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