Among The People

On this special episode of Among The People, we recognize the celebration of International Children's day by interviewing Father Frank Breen, M.M. Father Breen shares with us his extensive work in Africa and here in the United States serving immigrants and refugees. 

In this episode we speak with Fr. Alejandro Marina M.M., one of the newest Maryknollers, though he celebrated twenty five years as a priest prior.  Coming from Argentina, Fr. Alejandro offers a unique perspective on the growing challenges of doing mission throughout Latin America. He explores the reasons why in a part of the world where most of the people are christian, many face terrible situations of injustice, poverty and oppression. Fr. Alejandro also shares many of his thoughts on such topics as mission in Latin America, Cuba and his feelings on Pope Francis.   About Padre Alejandro Marina, M.M. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maryknoll Father Alejandro Marina was ordained a priest in 1993 in the Diocese of San Isidro. He was director of missions in his diocese and, as part of that work, he was sent as a missionary to Holguín, Cuba, for four years. He has a degree in Dogmatic Theology and has specialized in the area of Missiology. He is currently the director of the Maryknoll Mission Cent

"Its a good feeling knowing that the universal church is recognizing his life as a prophet, as a priest, and as a martyr." This is how Franciscan Br. Octavio Duran describes soon-to-be canonized Archbishop Oscar Romero. Br. Octavio personally knew Bishop Romeo, often interviewing him at the Catholic Radio Station in San Salvador, accompanying him in pastoral visits, and documenting the Bishop's life and work in photographs. In addition to this episode, you'll be able to read more about Br. Octavio's time and work with the soon to be canonized Archbishop in Romero: Saint for the World found in our September/October issue of Maryknoll Magazine. Brother Octavio is a dear friend of Maryknoll and we're honored to have had him on "Among the People" and hope you enjoy his unique story and tales of Bishop Romero.    Episode Notes: Romero: Saint for the World

It's a beautiful September morning. Maryknoll Fr. Ray Nobiletti had just celebrated 8 o'clock Mass in Transfiguration Church in Lower Manhattan. The primary election for the Mayor of New York City was that day and the elementary school at Transfiguration was buzzing with the start of brand new school year. In fact it was the children's 2nd day of school. The date is September 11, 2001. After Mass Fr. Nobiletti received a phone call and was informed that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, a building he always enjoyed looking at from his bedroom window, and he was asked if he could go immediately to the burning building to help minister to the   wounded. Barely having time to collect his thoughts, let alone his stole, prayer book, and holy oils, Fr. Nobiletti proceeded into the chaos of what would become known as one of the worst tragedies the United States has ever seen. As tens of thousands of people are trying to escape Lower Manhattan, Fr. Nobiletti is walking in that direction. With peop

On September 7, 1918, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers sent four Missioners to China, including Maryknoll co-founder Fr. Thomas F. Price, Fr. James E. Walsh, M.M., Fr. Francis X. Ford, M.M., and Fr. Bernard F. Meyer, M.M. This year as we prepare to celebrate 100 years of Mission Sending on September 7th, we had the privilege of sitting down with Fr. John Cioppa, M.M., an 86-year-old Maryknoll Missioner, who knew one of the original 4 Maryknoll Missioners to China - Bishop James E. Walsh.  In fact Fr. John was there in 1970 when Bishop James E. Walsh was released from a Shanghai prison after spending 12 years of his 20-year sentence primarily in solitary confinement.   After the Communist takeover of China in 1949, Bishop Walsh was arrested on charges that he had spied for the Vatican and the United States in 1958.  It is believed that he was the last of 7,000 foreign Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries to have been expelled from China.    Most of Fr. John'

We're joined in studio by Fr. Ed Dougherty M.M., former Superior General of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and representative of Maryknoll in Rome to the Holy See – Pope Francis. Fr. Dougherty shares his story of growing up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia to riding motorcycles, learning Swahili, and how he would hunt for his own food in the rural region of Musoma, Tanzania. He discusses his mission work teaching theology in Tanzania as well as his work in the United States including in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Fr. Ed was good friends with the late Maryknoll Sister Ita Ford, who was murdered in El Salvador on December 2, 1980. He shares his stories of their friendship and celebrations and how he received a letter from her just days after her death, a moment he takes as a Sign from God.

On this episode of Among the People we sit down with Heidi Cerneka, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner who's career has been spent serving incarcerated women in the United States, Brazil and Kenya. In this episode, Heidi shares how women are generally overlooked in prison policy and advocacy as well as the social and economic justice issues that are leading Women to be in prison in the first place. Heidi defines the difference between Women incarceration versus Male incarceration and how when Women get out of prison there's nothing to go back to; no family, no work, no life.  Heidi will also talk about her decision to go back to law school at the age of 49 and how that's helped her ministry.

Today we're here with Kevin Ahern, Orbis Books Author and Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Manhattan College.  In this episode we dive into the challenges and opportunities the Church offers from the perspective of young people as it relates to today's social movements and the current political and religious divisions that exist not only in western society, but throughout the world.    As a young Professor, Kevin truly has his finger on the pulse of young people in the Catholic Faith. Not only from a domestic perspective but from a global one, with his extensive experiences with small Christian communities around the world.   Episode Notes   A Brief Bio 'Kevin Glauber Ahern, PhD is an assistant professor of religious studies at Manhattan College. He defended his doctoral dissertation in theological ethics from Boston College in 2013. His dissertation was entitled "Structures of Grace: Catholic NGOs and the Church's Mission in a Globalized World." From 2003 to 2007

Today we sit down with Maryknoll Missioner, Fr. Rick Bauer. Fr. Rick spent time in Mission in Namibia and is now introducing palliative care – the care of the spiritual and emotional aspects of those who are sick and suffering - overseas. After his residency and certification as a Chaplain from New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital, Fr. Rick is now in east Africa introducing palliative care to those with health issues including a large majority of those directly affected by HIV/AIDS.   Fr. Rick also talks about the transformative experiences he's had in his Chaplaincy and how being an ordained, Catholic priest is aiding his ministry in helping patients understand that what's happening to them is not a punishment from God and that it's ok to be angry at God. As well, Father Bauer explains how you don't have to be religious to be spiritual and receive palliative care.   "Before my arrival, integrated spiritual care was not really part of medical care. Now it will be. And I will be able study how s

In this episode, Father Fred Hegarty, M.M. joins us to share his incredible story of mission in Chile during his 65 years as a missioner priest. At 91 years of age, Fr. Fred is able to take us back to his early days in Chile when he started out as a parish priest navigating dirt roads and mountain trails to share the Gospel with poor farmers and ended up becoming their advocate. Today, Fr. Fred continues to enliven the lives of all those around him.  If empowering people with God's love is the measure of a missioner's success, it's safe to say, "Well done, Father Fred, keep up the good work."  

Today we sit down with one of the most recognizable and respected Maryknoll Missioners and U.S. Air Force Veteran, Fr. Robert Jalbert, M.M.. Fr. Bob heads the Church Engagement Division here at Maryknoll where he and his team are creating and supporting a "culture of mission" in the Catholic Community in the U.S. During his Missionary career, Fr. Bob served in East Africa in both Kenya and Tanzania and today is actively involved in forming communities of missionary disciples around the world.   Fr. Bob, whose fluent in Russian, served in the Air Force in Italy and rural Turkey during the Cold War. What's interesting is how his assignment and time overseas lead to his Vocational calling with Maryknoll.   Episode Notes The following prayer is referenced by Father Bob toward the end of this interview. We want to share it with you here:   A Step Along the Way: Archbishop Romero's Prayer It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even

Maryknoll missioner, Father David La Buda joins Among The People, discussing his dynamic stories from Latin and Central America. From his ministry work with Honduran and Nicaraguan gang member tattoo removal, building radio stations and being taken prisoner in the jungle of Guatemala, Father La Buda's reflections on a life of mission go far beyond 'adventure'.  

Today we sit down with missioner, author and Maryknoll priest, Fr. John P Martin.    Fr. Martin shares experiences from his missionary work in Mexico and Bangladesh. He reflects on his struggles with his Vocational calling as a Missionary versus the traditional calling of being a Sacramental Minister.  Father John also talks about his deep culture shock experiences during his time in Bangladesh, then in India where he fulfilled his dream of further understanding the Hindu Bengali culture.    "a transformative journey as a Maryknoll missionary with cross-cultural and inter-religious ramifications, into realms of spiritual growth beyond imagining." It's hard to summarize this incredible episode of Among The People into a short intro, but we know you'll be enriched by the life story of Fr. Martin and the many paths he has travelled.     Episode Notes   His book: A Transformative Journey Out, Beyond, and Back: My Evolving Relationship with Tradition   His websit

From his ministry during the apartheid in South Africa, serving in both Nigeria and Namibia, to his mission work in Venezuela, Fr. Richard Albertine shares his incredible reflections on life as a Maryknoll missioner overseas.   

We sit down with Jeannine Hill Fletcher, professor at Fordham University, a theologian and author of The Sin of White Supremacy (Orbis Books). Get ready as we take a deep dive into the inner section of theology and issues of diversity as it relates to gender, race and religion.   We'll be discussing how Jeannine was able to step back from her suburban, predominantly white catholic environment and upbringing to see the work that still needs to be done.  As you listen to this episode, we want you to think about how we as christians and catholics can take a look at the lense we use to think through these things for change. We can't change history, but how are we called to transform and change these perceptions and reality.   About the Jeannine hill Fletcher Jeannine Hill Fletcher is a professor at Fordham University and a constructive theologian whose research is at the intersection of systematic theology and issues of diversity (including gender, race, and religious diversity).&nbs

In this episode, Father Mike Snyder joins us to share his story about his foreign mission work in East Africa, how he saw the face of Jesus Christ in an old lady named Stella and how the music he plays on his guitar has united people from all parts of the world. About Father Mike Fr. Mike Snyder M.M. is a native of Rutherford and Wayne, New Jersey. After ordination, he was assigned to Tanzania, East Africa where he served for a total of 26 years. During that time he was stationed in various mission parishes and most recently he served as the chaplain at the Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences (the national medical university of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam).   Fr. Mike has served in various leadership positions with Maryknoll, including as Vocation Director from1999-2006.  He was re-assigned to vocations in Oct. 2015. Episode Notes Watch Father Mike Snyder play and sing the Tanzanian National Anthem in it's native Swahili language, click here.

On this episode of Among the People, we interview our Director of Music, Worship, & Ritual, Chris Reilly. Chris, a leader in pastoral music, gives us a glimpse into the world of someone whose made music for the Church for decades! We'll cover his life, how he was influenced by music, a brief history of sacred music, as well as the shifts he's seeing in the Church including, a surprising shift towards a more traditional celebration of worship.  Chris will also give us his expert insights and thoughts on the future of music in the Church! If you're a big fan of Maryknoll's Christmas Concerts or a fan of Music in general, you won't want to miss this episode.

In this episode we are joined by Orbis Books Author, Jim Forest. Jim takes us through his early years that inspired his writing, from childhood to his time in the United States Military and into his lifelong work as an activist for peace.  He reflects on his call to christianity, his time working with Dorothy Day at the Catholic Worker and how he was first introduced and inspired by Daniel Berrigan. About Jim Forest Jim Forest is an internationally renowned peacemaker and spiritual writer. His many books include biographies of Dorothy Day (All is Grace) and Thomas Merton (Living with Wisdom). His most recent book is The Root of War Is Fear: Thomas Merton's Advice to Peacemakers. He lives in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. Episode Notes Jim Forest on Facebook Jim and Nancy Forest Join Jim on the new Orbis Book Club Facebook Group. When you join, all book club members will receive 35% off At Play in the Lions' Den: A Biography and memoire of Daniel Berrigan. Orbis Book Club

Today, we're joined in the studio by award winning Author and recent speaker at Maryknoll, Jana Laiz. As you will hear in this interview, Jana's mission is to change the world, one book at a time. You will hear how the topics she is so passionate about such as climate change, the global refugee crisis, equal rights are woven into her stories; stories that are not only take her readers on a captivating journey, but also speak to critical issues of our time… You may even learn a thing or two about faeries. More About Jana Laiz Fascinated by other cultures, Jana studied anthropology and Chinese language at University. She is a teacher, a writer, an editor, a mom, an animal lover, a sea glass collector, a musician and a dreamer. She is passionate about our beautiful planet and endeavors to make a difference in the world and to work with others who feel the same. Jana is the very first Writer-In-Residence at Herman Melville's beloved Arrowhead where she is working on a new novel. She lives in a 205-year-old farmh