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Notice to Subscribers On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Idaho Catholic Register was notified that delivery of its newspaper shipment from its printer in North Idaho would be delayed. The shipment was expected on Thursday, Nov. 6, but as of 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, it had not yet arrived. Our local distributor cannot mail subscriptions until the shipment is received. To the best of the ICR staff's knowledge, subscribers can expect to receive their Nov. 21 issue on Monday or Tuesday, Nov. 10 or 11. Although the delay is beyond our control, the Idaho Catholic Register sincerely regrets the inconvenience and appreciates your understanding.

Nota del editor: La siguiente homilía aborda el tema de la inmigración como un tema actual y siempre desafiante en nuestra sociedad y en la vida misma de la Iglesia en Idaho. Fue pronunciada por el Padre Tim Segert, pastor asociado de la Catedral de San Juan Evangelista en Boise, durante la misa del trigésimo domingo del tiempo ordinario (26 de octubre de 2025). Basándose en las lecturas del día, el Padre Segert reflexiona sobre el llamado a la justicia, la humildad y la misericordia de Dios en relación con los desafíos morales y pastorales que rodean a la inmigración. Father Tim Segert No hace falta que les diga que en este momento existe un gran desacuerdo sobre la inmigración en nuestro país. No es algo nuevo, pero sin duda ha estallado recientemente. Y, como era de esperar, la gente recurre inmediatamente a sus frases favoritas o a su partido político preferido para expresarse. Díganme si alguna de estas frases les suena familiar: “Construyan el muro”. “Estados Unidos primero”. “Detengan la invasión”. ¿O qué tal estas otras: “Ningún ser humano es ilegal”. “ Eliminen el ICE”. “Construyan puentes, no muros”. Esta cuestión se ha convertido quizás en la principal línea divisoria de nuestra sociedad en este momento, aunque ciertamente no es la única. Entonces, ¿qué debemos hacer nosotros, como católicos, al respecto? El instinto nos lleva a recurrir a lo que nos resulta más natural. Algunos de nosotros somos inmigrantes o conocemos a inmigrantes. Otros se han visto afectados negativamente por la inmigración, tal vez al perder sus puestos de trabajo. Por lo tanto, la mayoría de nosotros ya tenemos un interés personal en cómo van las cosas. Pero si algo hemos aprendido al ver las noticias, es que actuar basándonos únicamente en lo que nos dicta nuestro instinto no siempre es lo correcto. De hecho, hacer precisamente eso, sin ningún tipo de pensamiento racional, ha sido precisamente lo que ha dañado gravemente a nuestra nación. ¿Y si apeláramos a la verdad externa? La Iglesia ya nos ha dado una forma de pensar sobre este asunto, basada en la sabiduría de Jesús y de su Iglesia. ¿No sería esa una mejor opción? Para ello, me gustaría recomendarles que lean el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, párrafo 2241 sobre este tema. Es muy equilibrado y está muy bien escrito. Es un poco largo, pero lo voy a incluir aquí porque es más importante de lo habitual leerlo completo: Las naciones más prósperas están obligadas, en la medida de sus posibilidades, a acoger al extranjero que busca la seguridad y los medios de subsistencia que no puede encontrar en su país de origen. Las autoridades públicas deben velar por que se respete el derecho natural que coloca al huésped bajo la protección de quienes lo acogen. Las autoridades políticas, en aras del bien común del que son responsables, pueden supeditar el ejercicio del derecho a emigrar a diversas condiciones jurídicas, especialmente en lo que se refiere a los deberes de los inmigrantes hacia su país de adopción. Los inmigrantes están obligados a respetar con gratitud el patrimonio material y espiritual del país que los acoge, a obedecer sus leyes y a contribuir al cumplimiento de las obligaciones cívicas. Para mí, todo se reduce a dos puntos: ● Una persona tiene el deber moral y la responsabilidad de hacer todo lo necesario, salvo pecar, para mantenerse a sí misma y a su familia con vida. Esto puede incluir tomar medidas drásticas en determinados momentos. ● Al mismo tiempo, cada gobierno nacional tiene la responsabilidad de mantener la seguridad de sus respectivas naciones y preservar la integridad de su soberanía nacional, en la medida en que ello sea conforme a la ley natural. La mayoría de nosotros tendremos una inclinación a aceptar uno de estos principios por encima del otro. Pero la forma católica es la forma “ambos/y”: como católicos, debemos mantener estos principios en tensión, en lugar de colapsar uno en el otro. Por un lado, hay personas en situaciones absolutamente desesperadas que no tienen suficiente comida, agua o un refugio adecuado para sobrevivir; o que están huyendo activamente de personas que podrían hacerles daño. Estas personas tienen, de hecho, la obligación moral de protegerse a sí mismas y a sus familias, lo que puede incluir trasladarse al otro lado de las fronteras nacionales si la necesidad es tan extrema. Pensemos en la Sagrada Familia, por ejemplo. Los derechos humanos básicos y la dignidad humana de los inmigrantes se mantienen en todo momento y no dependen del reconocimiento del gobierno. Eso significa que todas las personas, en todo momento, tienen derecho a la vida, la alimentación, el agua, la vivienda, la seguridad, la propiedad privada, la libertad religiosa y la integridad física. Como mencioné anteriormente, estos derechos no pueden serles arrebatados, incluso si una persona entra ilegalmente en otro país que no es el suyo. Esto forma parte de la doctrina social católica. Pero hay otra parte también. A lo largo del Antiguo y del Nuevo Testamento se nos dice en numerosas ocasiones que respetemos a nuestros gobernantes en todo lo que no sea pecado. Esto incluye el deber que tienen todos y cada uno de los gobiernos de la tierra de proteger a sus ciudadanos, preservar su propia cultura y lengua, y regular quién entra en el país. Actuar en contra de esto sin una causa grave, es decir, solo en casos de derechos humanos básicos, es pecaminoso. Esto también forma parte de la doctrina católica. Los Papas Francisco y León lo han resumido bien al decir una y otra vez que es importante “acoger, proteger, promover e integrar”. En primer lugar, la nación de acogida debe acoger a aquellos a quienes puede recibir legalmente. Esto se hace con el fin de proteger tanto a los inmigrantes como a los ciudadanos que ya viven en el país de acogida. A continuación, se debe promover a los inmigrantes, es decir, se debe conservar y celebrar lo bueno y lo saludable de sus culturas anteriores, especialmente en una nación como la nuestra. Y, por último (y muy importante), es un deber moral del inmigrante cumplir las leyes del nuevo país, aprender y desenvolverse en su idioma y cultura, y convertirse en miembros legalmente reconocidos y productivos de la sociedad. En otras palabras, integrarse. Como ya se puede ver, estos principios a veces entrarán en conflicto entre sí. De hecho, ya han entrado en conflicto. Pero eso no significa que debamos renunciar a ninguno de ellos. Hacerlo podría provocar desequilibrios o abusos por ambas partes. Ya ha habido denuncias de malos tratos a personas detenidas en centros de internamiento que han emigrado ilegalmente a este país; lo hemos visto en las noticias. Nuestros obispos han criticado estas situaciones. También ha habido problemas por no regular el bien común de nuestra nación: aumento del tráfico de drogas y del tráfico sexual, personas que nunca se integran en la economía y la cultura de la nación, e incluso pérdida de la fe debido a la falta de inculturación. Estos también son problemas. Como católicos, tenemos la difícil tarea de conciliar estos dos principios de manera armoniosa. Renunciar a cualquiera de los dos es peligroso.   Me gustaría terminar remitiéndonos a la palabra de Dios que nos da el libro de Sirácida. Sea cual sea la forma en que armonicemos estos principios, Él se preocupa por la justicia. Aquí tenemos de nuevo la primera lectura bajo una nueva luz: El Señor es un Dios justo, que no hace acepción de personas. Aunque no es indebidamente parcial con los débiles, escucha el clamor de los oprimidos. El Señor no es sordo al llanto del huérfano, ni a la viuda cuando derrama su queja. El que sirve a Dios de buena gana es escuchado; su petición llega a los cielos. La oración de los humildes atraviesa las nubes; no descansa hasta alcanzar su objetivo, ni se retira hasta que el Altísimo responde, juzga con justicia y afirma lo que es correcto, y el Señor no se demora.

Diocese of Boise employees recently toured the site where the new chancery building is under construction. They pose, above, at what will be the front of the three-story building. The building is scheduled for completion in early 2027. (Courtesy photo) By ICR staff BOISE — Bishop Peter F. Christensen led Diocese of Boise employees on Oct. 21 through the new chancery building construction site, located adjacent to St. John Cathedral at Eighth and Fort Streets in downtown Boise. The tour gave diocesan staff a firsthand look at the project’s progress and how the building is taking shape. The new chancery will house offices for the bishop and approximately 32 full- and part-time employees. “A significant advantage of the new location is its proximity to the Cathedral, which is where chanceries are typically located in dioceses worldwide,” Bishop Christensen told the Idaho Catholic Register before construction began in 2021. The Diocese sold its current chancery in February 2021 and has since leased back space from the new owner, Your Health Idaho. The five-story building is shared, with a transportation company on the second and third floors, while diocesan offices occupy the fourth and fifth floors. Bishop Christensen noted that the chancery’s design will complement the architecture of both St. John Cathedral and St. Joseph’s School. The site was previously home to Baird’s Dry Cleaning, a longtime Boise business. The diocese anticipates completion of the three-story building in early 2027. A crane lifts heavy materials into place as the new chancery begins to take shape. (ICR photo/Philip A. Janquart) Diocesan employees take a look at the underground parking garage beneath the chancery. (ICR photo/Philip A. Janquart) Bishop Peter Christensen, left, asks a site supervisor a few questions about the building process as Marisela Baca, middle, and Bryan Taylor, right, listen in. (ICR photo/Philip A. Janquart) Like coal miners at the end of a long shift, diocesan employees make their way out of the parking garage. (ICR photo/Philip A. Janquart)

St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho volunteers delivered food to military families in need last winter at Gowen Field in Boise. (Courtesy photo) By Ralph May Executive Director SVdP Southwest Idaho   Editor’s note: The following is a letter from St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho Executive Director, Ralph May, highlighting the need for more food donations amid delays in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. With no end to the delay in sight, SVdP is relying on the community’s support to ensure those in need continue to receive help.   Dear Friends,   We typically close our Boise Food Pantry at noon, but today there was still a line at 1:00 p.m. Families waited patiently—parents, grandparents and neighbors—all hoping to bring home enough food to get through the week.   One neighbor we spoke with was visiting our pantry for the first time. She shared that with the delay in SNAP benefits, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to feed her family.   “I’d heard great things about St. Vincent de Paul,” she said. “I knew I would get the help I needed here.”   Right now, more families than ever are turning to us for food. With the federal government shutdown delaying SNAP benefits, Idaho households are facing an immediate crisis—and they’re showing up at our doors today in search of help.   Even if Idahoans receive partial SNAP benefits for November, it won’t be enough. Many families will still fall short—and St. Vincent de Paul Pantries will need to fill the gap to ensure no one goes hungry.   Many of you know that we deliver food boxes each month to National Guard and Air National Guard families at Gowen Field. We typically provide around 125 boxes per month, but next week they’ve already requested 250 boxes—double the usual number. This increase reflects what we’re seeing across the Treasure Valley: hardworking families and service members alike are feeling the strain and turning to us for help.   Our pantries are currently stocked. We have the volunteers. But as the need continues to rise, your support is essential to help us sustain this response in the days and weeks ahead.   If you or someone you know needs food, please come. Our pantries across the Treasure Valley are open and ready to serve anyone in need.   If you can give, your financial gift makes an immediate difference—it allows our teams to respond quickly and ensure no family leaves without the food they need.   If you’d like to donate food, we especially need non-perishable items like peanut butter and jelly, boxed mac and cheese, cereal, protein bars, and canned tuna.   Together, we can make sure every neighbor who turns to us finds food, compassion, and hope.   With gratitude, Ralph May Executive Director St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho   SVdP Southwest Idaho Executive Director, Ralph May, far right, accepts a donation. (Courtesy photo)  Make Donation Your financial gift makes an immediate impact, allowing our team to restock shelves, purchase fresh food, and respond quickly as more families turn to us for help. Every dollar helps ensure no neighbor goes hungry during this critical time. Checks can be sent to: St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho- 5256 W Fairview Ave. Boise, ID 83706. To make a donation online, visit https://www.svdpid.org/donate-boise-food-pantry .   Donate Non-Perishable Food If you’d like to donate food, we need non-perishable items such as peanut butter, jelly, boxed macaroni and cheese, cereal, protein bars, and canned veggies.   Food donations can be dropped off at our Boise Food Pantry at 3209 W. Overland Road, Boise, ID 83705, on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Every item donated helps us keep our shelves stocked and ready for the next family in need. The food items above are what the SVdP recommends donating for use in its Thanksgiving Food Boxes program. (Courtesy photo)  Donate to Thanksgiving Food Boxes We anticipate that the demand for Thanksgiving Food Boxes will remain high this year. Each Thanksgiving Food Box provides a full holiday meal — including a turkey, potatoes, and all the traditional fixings — for a family of four to six. For 48 years, this program has brought together volunteers, donors, and community partners to ensure that every family can share in the warmth and tradition of Thanksgiving, regardless of their circumstances. To donate to the Thanksgiving Food Boxes program, visit https://www.svdpid.org/donate-boise-food-pantry .

Bishop Peter Christensen presides at the Eucharistic celebration concelebrated by Father Hippolytus Ezenwa, SMMM, on the occasion of his 25th priestly anniversary, together with priests from the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM), other diocesan priests, and Father Caleb Vogel, Vicar General. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez) By ICR staff Father Hippolytus Ezenwa of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) celebrated 25 years of priesthood on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise, where a celebratory Mass, presided over by Bishop Peter F. Christensen, was held in his honor. The Nigerian-born priest, known affectionately as Father "Hippo” by his congregation at Sacred Heart, was ordained into the priesthood on July 22, 2000. Idaho Catholic Register Assistant Editor Vero Gutiérrez asked him a series of questions prior to the Mass on Sunday. The following are her questions and Fr. Hippo’s subsequent answers. Father Hippolytus Ezenwa, SMMM, celebrates 25 years of priesthood — from his early days as a newly ordained priest Father Hippolytus Ezenwa of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) celebrated 25 years of priesthood on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise, where a celebratory Mass, presided over by Bishop Peter F. Christensen, was held in his honor. The Nigerian-born priest, known affectionately as Father “Hippo” by his congregation at Sacred Heart, was ordained into the priesthood on July 22, 2000. Idaho Catholic Register Assistant Editor Vero Gutiérrez asked him a series of questions prior to the Mass on Sunday. The following are her questions and Fr. Hippo’s subsequent answers. Bishop Peter Christensen was accompanied by Fathers Hipolytus Ezenwa and Celestine Eberechi, who are priests of the same religious order, as well as by some priests and deacons from the Diocese of Boise . (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) How did you discover your calling to the priesthood? “Every priest has his story to tell about how his journey to the priesthood began. I would say that I did not just wake up one day to discover that I was being called, nor did I hear any voice calling me like Samuel in the Scriptures was called. “My journey started in the context of my family associating with priests who served in places where we resided. As deeply religious Catholics, my parents would occasionally invite our priests to eat lunch or dinner with us. Thus, the expression that, ‘nothing happens in a vacuum,’ is particularly true in my case. “On the whims of encountering these different priests, the desire to become a priest was planted in me because I saw in them the joy of the Gospel and the glory of God.” Was there a key moment or person in that process? “There was no key moment in my discernment process, but there were experiences that led me to this part; the experience of a good Catholic family upbringing is top on the list. “My parents were practicing Catholics and my grandparents from my mother’s side were staunch Catholics as well, so both blending, formed a springboard to my vocation. Their role model of prayer life, decency, modesty, moderate lifestyle, simplicity, selflessness, tenacity, and patience, to mention a few, inspired me. “Apart from my family, there are also key persons that planted, nurtured and propelled me to answer God’s call. For example, Sister Bruno Onyebuchi of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM), encouraging me to join the Altar Boy’s Association at St. Charles parish Achina from where my faith continued to grow. Serving at the Altar was and is my favorite activity. “Through participation at the altar, I discovered how wonderful it is to serve the Lord. This is why I made up my mind in my childhood to become a priest. Also, joining the Sacred Heart of Jesus group at St. Charles Achina was helpful in forming my young mind towards dedicating myself to the service of the Gospel. “Mother Casmire Nwadiukwu was also a candle that lighted my part towards the priesthood of Christ. My association with the late Father Aaron Ekwu, a priest of the diocese of Awka, greatly inspired me as well. “Whenever I visited him during my high school days, Father Ekwu would always encourage me to go the Blessed Sacrament to ‘say hello to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.’ His life of simplicity, humility and holiness greatly inspired me. Father Ezeokafor, who is now the Bishop of Awak diocese, whom I met at St. John’s Catholic Church, Nneni, also gave me a lot of encouragement in my desire to serve God. “It was not only priests and religious who were my heroes in this journey. The late Sir Andy (Ideh) and Lady Ngozi Umeorji (Adagbaodu), being close friends to my parents and marriage sponsors, also influenced my formation. Their wise council, love and care was a light even in darkness. Their continued support for my family after the passing of my mother is an example of perfect charity.” Bishop Peter Christensen gives a blessing as the gathered community joins in prayer to bless the two priests at the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration . (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) What has been the most challenging and the most rewarding part of these 25 years of priesthood? “The most challenging time was the passing of my mother. Her irreparable loss was a blow to my family. Although I was devastated, her words of comfort are always a source of courage. “There are many things to thank God for in my ministry, but the most rewarding thing is that God is using me every day as an instrument of salvation. When I see many Catholics who strayed, come back to the faith and participate again in the sacraments, and new people being converted to the Catholic faith, I am filled with thanks at what God is using us priests, deacons and lay faithful to accomplish.” Have you ever thought about leaving the ministry? What keeps you going through the tough times? “Absolutely not! I have never contemplated leaving the priesthood; it is not because of my strength but by his grace. I love being a priest. I pray and hope I remain faithful to the end.” How has your understanding of God changed since you were ordained? “I would say that my understanding of God has grown deeper, like Moses’ experience of the burning bush in the Holy Bible, the closer you come, the deeper you experience this awesome God. On the other hand, the deeper you introspect, the more you realize how little you know and understand this mysterious God. “When you are privileged to encounter God in the sacraments, especially as a priest, you are filled with wonder at the mystery of salvation and how much you cannot unravel it, no matter how hard you try.” What aspect of African culture enriches your experience of the Gospel? “African culture, especially in my part of Africa, Igbo/Nigeria, for the most part, is theocentric. Everything we do is centered on God; this is evident in the names the Igbo people give their children, which reflect God or his interventions or interactions with the Igbo person. “And so, this understanding of God as one in whom we live, move and have our being informs me that God is everything. Secondly, that God is not a distant God; if he is embedded in our names, then we must see him in everything that he created, humans and nature. Hence, the concept of a Being reflecting Himself in his human creatures and nature shedding light on Divine Incarnation tells us that God is with us and in us. We are theologically connected with God, sociologically connected with one another and ontologically connected to nature.” Priests from the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) sing and applaud Father Hippolytus Ezenwa and Father Celestine Eberechi, both celebrating their priestly ordination anniversaries. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) How is faith lived out in your local community? Are there any religious customs you would share with us? “Faith is the bedrock of our African life; we believe not just in anything out there but in God, the Creator of all that exists (Chukwu Okike). We have faith that Chukwu Okike will always see us through, even in our challenging moments. And so, we do not easily give up. We subscribe to hard work, believing that no challenge is insurmountable because we also believe that God, who is our ‘Okike,’ is all-powerful.” What are you most proud of in your priestly service? “I am proud of many things; however, I am particularly grateful that despite my unworthiness, God has continued to use me as an instrument of salvation for his people.” Fathers Celestine Eberechi, SMMM, and Hippolytus Ezenwa, SMMM, were seminary classmates and now celebrate 25 years of priesthood together. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) What dreams do you still have for your ministry? “My dream is that all people will come to the knowledge of God, that we Christians would continue to model ourselves after Christ, who came to serve and not be served. That those entrusted under my care will find their way to Christ and receive salvation. And so, my ultimate dream is that all I have served and will serve in this ministry will receive eternal salvation, and I as well, behold him who by his grace has called me to his service.” What words would you give to young priests? “Courage in the face of adversity, constancy in doing what is right, humility in your approach to things you do not know or understand, docility to God at all times, tenacity in your defense of truth and justice. Prayer, it is the key. “Learn to say sorry when you make mistakes, you are not the all-knowing God; learn to appreciate even the least favor, and learn to say please when asking for a favor; nothing and no one should be taken for granted.” How are you celebrating this anniversary? What does it mean to you to reach this milestone? “In this celebration, I am celebrating the eternal priesthood of Christ in which I am honored to participate. I will celebrate it in a simple way for and with my parishioners and later with my family, community and friends in my home country. “I am honored that the Chief Shepherd of our diocese Bishop Peter Christensen, will preside over at the oly Mass during the celebration. The aim of this celebration is simply for the promotion of priestly vocation in our diocese; a recognition that God had led me thus far, in spite of me.” What message would you leave the Church about the value of the priesthood today? “That the priesthood of Christ is invaluable. Think of it: that Christ gave the continuity of His ministry on earth not to kings, not to the rulers of the earth, but to those whom he called and chose as servants of His words and sacraments. So, the priesthood is invaluable for the salvific actions of God to continue to the end of time. It is not about the personality of the priest; some priests are more intelligent, some more likable, some not so much likeable, some loud, some quiet. “We bring our talents, our competencies, our idiosyncrasies, our family upbringings and cultural backgrounds, imperfect though we are, (perfection towards we must strive), yet he has made us the carriers of his treasures, all to and for his glory and for human salvation. My plea will be that we pray for our priests, that we support them, that we hold up their arms like Moses’ were raised up, so that even in the moments of human weakness this salvific plan of our God would continue, and the story of God’s victory will continue to be told.” What are you asking God for as you look toward the next 25 years? “I ask that his goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; that I will continue to live as a priest after the mind of Christ, the Good Shepherd and Eternal High Priest. My song everyday is ‘Father nearer to thee, draw me nearer, nearer to thee.’” Father Hippolytus Ezenwa with members of the Sacred Heart parish community in Boise after the Sunday celebration. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

Mark Renick, program manager of the Reentry program, is with Stacey LaRoe, program manager of Reentry Career Development and Navigation. (St. Vincent de Paul of Southwest Idaho Facebook photo) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer   For more than 12 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Southwest Idaho (SVdP) has had a reentry program for those leaving prison. When Mark Renick, program manager for the Reentry Program, left prison 17 years ago, he wanted to use his experience to help others. His team at SVdP, which is a part of the “First Day Out” program, has all experienced incarceration. They approach each person they help with the understanding of the relief of being free and the fears of what is to come. Each former resident is given transportation to temporary housing and is given the opportunity to receive assistance with getting a job, clothing, food, access to mental health and addiction support, and finding permanent housing. Stacey LaRoe joined the Reentry Program four years ago and is program manager of career development and navigation for formerly incarcerated residents. However, the bulk of her work is not when residents are released. LaRoe and her team reach out to residents while they are still in prison. Currently, there are almost 9,000 residents in Idaho prisons. Idaho has the highest rate of incarceration per capita of any other democratic country in the United States. Although the crime rate is considered low in Idaho, 761 out of every 100,000 people are in a jail, prison, juvenile justice center or immigration detention center. The impact of the high incarceration rate reverberates from families to society, as one out of every 12 children has a parent who is incarcerated. These statistics are provided by SVdP, which works closely with the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC). “Education levels definitely reflect the risk of someone going into prison,” said LaRoe. * “However, also connected with the risk of being incarcerated is whether a parent has been in prison. Because just like a disease that gets passed down from parents to kids, kids whose parents were in prison are likely to follow that pattern,” LaRoe explained. “Considering how many kids have a parent who has been incarcerated, that’s a lot of kids who are potentially on track to go to prison themselves in Idaho.” The circumstances for people who become residents in prisons can seem hopeless. The longer a person is incarcerated, the more difficult it can be for them to return to society and function well, let alone thrive. “Imagine being in prison for 10 years, and how much the technology has changed in just 10 years. Then imagine how much technology and society have changed in 20, 30 or more years. It’s like entering a whole new world when leaving prison.” The hurdles that residents face when they leave prison contribute to the rate of recidivism — the tendency of people with convictions to relapse into criminal behavior. “We want to make a resident’s transition from prison into society as smooth as possible,” LaRoe explained. “We realized that the best way to do this is to address concerns and prepare residents before they leave the prison doors through a pre-release program.” LaRoe and her team began by teaching classes on how to secure a job, sometimes even before residents leave prison. Their classes address the many aspects of getting a job and keeping it, from résumés to appearance and communication. About 18 months ago, Dave “Buck” Fry, a parishioner of Risen Christ Parish in Boise and a supporter of SVdP, became the pre-release facilitator for the IDOC and the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC). Fry wrote a manual and recreated the pre-release program. Fry, who is a retired educator with decades of curriculum experience, came out of retirement to help with education in the Idaho prison system. Although there are opportunities to further high school or higher education for residents long before they are released, Fry developed a specific program for residents that begins months before their release dates. His pre-release program incorporated the efforts and expertise of SVdP. Residents are invited to participate, but they are not required to join the program. Those who decide to join are divided into cohorts of about 40 to 60 who attend six weeks of classes, which include the SVdP courses on finding a job, how to navigate questions about their past, money management and having a positive mindset. Fry’s program also has educators who specifically address mental health difficulties, self-care and maintaining healthy relationships. Most recently, LaRoe began incorporating her training in trauma-informed responses. “All residents have been through some sort of trauma,” LaRoe said. “They need to know how to deal with their triggers so that they don’t respond to those triggers in the old way, which is what probably got them into trouble in the first place.” In 2024, SVdP gave 30 pre-release career development courses in several IDOC facilities in which 530 residents participated. SVdP also gives individual consultations to residents. Last year, 593 residents participated. Of those, 200 continued to use the post-release career development services at SVdP. Because the pre-release program has been running for only three years, it is too soon to know the long-term impact of the SVdP program. However, among the residents who have been helped, the recidivism rate appears to be half of the usual rate of about 38%. Their efforts have been so successful that LaRoe and others on the reentry team presented a workshop on the pre-release program at the national St. Vincent de Paul conference in August. A part of the success with the SVdP program is making sure that residents take responsibility for their part in ensuring their future outside of prison. “We give everyone homework,” LaRoe said. “For example, they have to spend time on their own making a master résumé — a résumé they can refer to and edit as needed as they apply for jobs. They have to take the time to think about their skills. We also tell them to think about the skills they used that got them into trouble and how they can use those skills to do good. Everything is a learning experience.” The homework is a requirement to make sure that residents have skin in the game, LaRoe explained. “If they don’t do their homework, I let them know that I’m only meeting with people who are ready to do work. If they aren’t ready, that’s OK. We want people to understand that we are not there to do the work for them. However, if they are willing to put in the work, we promise that we’re going to work with them.” LaRoe believes their success also comes from a holistic and heart-centered approach. “We’re looking at pre-release from the perspective that each person has value just as they are. Maybe they can’t see it for themselves, but we want to find a way to allow that value to come out.” Aside from donating funds to support SVdP and its programs, people can help through volunteering. LaRoe said her program is looking for community mentors in particular. “We need people who want to have crucial conversations with people in prison. It helps to end the ‘us versus them’ mentality. We also need volunteers in the office. Truly, all someone has to do is contact us and let us know that they want to help, and we’ll find something for them to do.” To find out more about the reentry programs at SVdP, visit svdpid.org/reentry-services . *Correction from print edition: In the print edition, this statement was included and has been omitted in the online post: "The connection between literacy and the likelihood of being imprisoned has been observed so consistently that many states use standardized test results in elementary schools to determine how many beds they will need in their prisons in the future." This statement was made in erro r. The National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice reported that at least one state used elementary reading scores to forecast future prison beds before the center closed in 2006. This was quoted in other publications and at least one book, with numbers becoming exaggerated. This was later refuted as unsubstantiated. The Idaho Catholic Register apologizes for the error in the Oct. 24, 2025 issue.

Coordinado por el Ministerio Hispano/Latino, la Oficina de Matrimonio y Vida de la Diócesis de Boise y la parroquia Saint Jerome Parejas de Jerome, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls y Boise participaron del primer Taller Vida Exitosa en Pareja impartido por el diácono Juan Carlos Urquijo. (ICR foto/Vero Gutiérrez) Vero Gutiérrez Editora Asistente JEROME.- Del 24 al 26 de octubre se realizó el primer taller “Vida Exitosa en Pareja”, en un trabajo conjunto entre las oficinas del Mi- nisterio Hispano/Latino, la Oficina de Matrimonio y Vida de la Diócesis de Boise y la parroquia de Saint Jerome. Participaron 17 parejas provenientes de Jerome (ciudad sede), Twin Falls, Idaho Falls y Boise. El taller fue impartido por el diácono Juan Carlos Urquijo, de la diócesis de Santa Clara (Cuba) y actualmente profesor del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste. Los temas de esta primera fase se centraron en el autoconocimiento personal, de la pareja, las familias de origen, la relación interpersonal con la familia y la relación con Dios. Urquijo explicó que el propósito de estos talleres es fortalecer la vida de la pareja de manera integral, promoviendo su crecimiento humano y cristiano, lo cual repercute de forma positiva en los hijos. El fundador de los talleres es Ignacio Marquínez, psicólogo, sociólogo de origen español, doctor en Ciencias de la Familia por la Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (Madrid), quien además recibió un entrenamiento en psicoterapia por 6 años. Al concluir su entrenamiento, Marquínez inició la práctica clínica, y fue entonces cuando comenzó a observar en las parejas dos carencias recurrentes: la falta de una preparación seria y profunda para vivir en pareja y la ausencia de un mantenimiento continuo de la vida conyugal. Para subsanar esa carencia, creó un método que ha desarrollado durante muchos años con parejas en España, Perú y Cuba, porque considera que en esos y otros países hace falta una cultura de preparación profunda para la vida en pareja. En entrevista con Jesuitas Familia, Ignacio Marquínez señaló que, para profesiones como medicina, ingeniería, o aviación se requieren muchos años de estudio y práctica, mientras que para algo tan trascendente y complejo como vivir prolongadamente con otra persona — logrando equilibrio, felicidad, realización personal y una adecuada paternidad — hay pocos estudios y preparación en la mayoría de las parejas. Los talleres están estructurados en tres intervenciones: 1. Autoconocimiento : revisar el origen de cada miembro de la pareja (cultura familiar, experiencias previas de pareja, y familias de origen). 2. Comunicación : Profundizar en la importancia de la comunicación y el manejo de los sentimientos. 3. Vida afectiva y sexual: Trabajar la relación afectiva y sexual para mantener el entusiasmo y las pequeñas atenciones que sostienen el matrimonio. El diácono Urquijo destacó también la necesidad de que la Iglesia acompañe a los matrimonios y familias cristianas, partiendo del amor a Dios, al prójimo, la fidelidad a la Iglesia y al matrimonio sacramental. Sobre cómo llegaron los talleres a Cuba, explicó que, por obra del Espíritu Santo, una religiosa María Fe Sierva de San José conoció al fundador en Madrid e invitó a Marquínez a Cuba para trabajar inicialmente con las vocaciones religiosas de su orden, y luego propuso ampliar la experiencia a las parejas. Posteriormente, Urquijo y su esposa María del Carmen —en ese momento, coordinadores de la Pastoral familiar de la Diócesis de Santa Clara— colaboraron en la implementación. El Padre José de Jesús González celebró la Misa dominical y clausura del Taller Vida Exitosa en Pareja. Los diáconos Juan Carlos Urquijo y Jeffrey Powers asistieron al párroco durante la Eucaristía celebrada en Saint Jerome . ( ICR foto/Vero Gutiérrez) El diácono aclaró que el objetivo no es crear un movimiento, sino ofrecer los talleres y formar a los matrimonios. Una vez completadas las tres etapas y después de un tiempo de práctica, se sugiere realizar un taller de mantenimiento para evaluar los logros alcanzados. El fundamento teórico y metodológico de los talleres incluye: la psicología Gestalt (que ve al ser humano como un todo integrado: mente, cuerpo y emociones), la teoría de sistemas del lenguaje del cuerpo (que sostiene que el cuerpo es un sistema de comunicación integrado con la mente y las emociones) y la Teología del Cuerpo (enseñanza de San Juan Pablo II sobre el significado del cuerpo humano, el amor, la sexualidad y la vocación del amor según el plan de Dios). Los talleres están divididos en tres áreas fundamentales de la vida de la pareja, basadas en la realidad actual. La primera área es el autoconocimiento personal, ya que se ha descubierto que muchas personas llegan al matrimonio sin haberse conocido a sí mismas ni desarrollar una vida interior profunda. También se trabaja el autoconocimiento de la pareja y el análisis de las familias de origen, las necesidades individuales y compartidas, las siete asignaturas — elementos básicos en los que la pareja debe llegar a consensos—, la formación de valores en la familia y la relación con Dios. En la segunda área se descubre la importancia de la comunicación en la vida de la pareja, partiendo del reconocimiento y la expresión de los sentimientos. Muchos especialistas en pastoral familiar han encontrado que el 80 % de las separaciones se deben a la ausencia de comunicación. En la tercera área se aborda la vida afectiva y sexual, un tema esencial porque con los años se puede perder el entusiasmo por las pequeñas atenciones cotidianas — tomarse de la mano, mirarse a los ojos — que sostienen la intimidad. El trabajo busca que la relación afectiva sea el fundamento de una vida conyugal y sexual más profunda. El fundador inició los primeros talleres en Cuba. De las personas que cursaron los tres talleres se hizo una selección de 15 parejas para recibir un entrenamiento especial de acompañamiento matrimonial y familiar durante dos años. Los talleres no solo fortalecen a las parejas, sino también a las comunidades; muchas personas que participan luego se entusiasman por ayudar a otras parejas y dar formación a jóvenes. Cualquier pareja puede participar, independientemente del nivel académico, solo se requiere un nivel básico de comunicación para leer y expresar opiniones. La metodología se basa en pequeñas charlas y dinámicas participativas, reflexión personal, trabajo en pareja, intercambio con otras parejas y dinámicas grupales. El número ideal de participación es entre 15 y 18 parejas para trabajar con mayor profundidad. La fe es un fundamento del taller: el sustrato profundo es el amor a Dios, a Jesús resucitado y a la Virgen María. Por ello, cada jornada comienza y termina invocando su intercesión, y al concluir el taller se celebra la Eucaristía. Para este encuentro, el Párroco de Saint Jerome, José de Jesús González, presidió la Misa. Durante el encuentro, varios matrimonios compartieron las valiosas experiencias que vivieron a lo largo de las dinámicas y reflexiones del día. Vicente Guillén y Jazmine Guerrero Vicente Guillén “Me gustó mucho este taller; mi pareja y yo aprendimos cosas nuevas. Ahora estamos en la etapa de preparación para nuestro matrimonio por la Iglesia. Nos enseñaron cosas muy prácticas para mejorar nuestra relación de pareja: a ser mejores personas, a ponernos de acuerdo, a respetarnos, y a tener paciencia. Nos llevamos muchos consejos de las parejas con más experiencia. Les recomiendo a otras parejas que lo tomen. Nosotros no solemos participar en retiros, pero este sí nos gustó y esperamos con ilusión el segundo. Me gustaron las dinámicas porque me ayudaron a identificar en qué he fallado con mi pareja para poder solucionarlo”. Jazmine Guerrero “Me gustó mucho; fue algo diferente y nuevo para nosotros. Estamos empezando nuestro matrimonio y, qué mejor que hacerlo de la mano de Dios. Lo recomiendo porque todos lo necesitamos; estoy emocionada por continuar con el segundo taller”. María y Antonio Granados María Granados “Dios nos enseña que el amor verdadero nace de un corazón que primero ha aprendido a amar a Dios y así mismo. Solo cuando reconocemos que somos hijos amados del Padre podemos amar al otro con libertad y madurez”. Antonio Granados “Fue una gran experiencia vivir el taller. A veces pensamos que ya lo sabemos todo, pero eso es un error. Nos falta comunicación, comprensión mutua y atender esas pequeñas pero importantes necesidades: escuchar a tu pareja, prestarle más atención, darle un abrazo, un beso o invitarla a salir durante la semana, solo ella y yo. Me gustó compartir este tiempo con otras parejas; aprendí algo de cada una de ellas. Gracias al diácono Urquijo y todas las personas que hicieron posible este taller” . Aracelí y Gustavo Gómez Aracelí Gómez “Me llevo muchas enseñanzas de este día. En una de las dinámicas aprendí que podemos amar lo que hacemos con un simple cambio de palabras: en lugar de decir ‘debo hacer esto’, decir ‘quiero hacer esto’. Ese pequeño cambio hace una gran diferencia. Entre los muchos aprendizajes de hoy, destaco también haber comprendido cómo comunicar mejor mis sentimientos con mi esposo, con quien llevo 45 años de matrimonio, y él también puede expresarme los suyos”. Gustavo Gómez “Me gustó mucho; fue una experiencia muy bonita. A pesar de que soy una persona muy tímida, me llevo una gran experiencia y definitivamente se la recomiendo a otras parejas. Me encantó compartir este tiempo con todas las parejas que participaron y con el diácono Juan Carlos Urquijo”.

On October 27, a meaningful celebration took place at the Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota. During the celebration, seminarians from the Diocese of Boise received the Ministry of Acolyte from Bishop Gerard W. Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse. This rite is an important step in their formation for the priesthood. Seminarians John Dyson, Ronald Onyekwelu, Nathan Ribb, and Guillermo Gutiérrez. (Photo Courtesy Bessie Geilenfeldt)  Seventeen seminarians — four from the Diocese of Boise and thirteen from other dioceses across the United States — were instituted as acolytes at St. Mary’s Chapel. The ceremony was celebrated by Bishop Gerard W. Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse at the Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota. Pictured (from left): Seminarian Ryan Olenick (Theology I); seminarian John Dyson (Theology II); Dianna Decker, president of the Serra Club of Northern Idaho; Bessie Geilenfeldt, representing the Diocese of Boise and the Serra Club of North Idaho; and seminarians Ronald Onyekwelu, Guillermo Gutiérrez, and Nathan Ribb (all Theology II). (Photo Courtesy Bessie Geilenfeldt)

Jn 2:13-22 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome In all religions, the temple is a sacred place where divinity is believed to be present to receive worship and bestow favors upon its followers. Of course, the Divine Being's true home is not of this world. However, the temple is identified with the Divine Being in a way that allows humans to enter into communion with the Divine Realm. This fundamental symbolism is also found in the Old Testament, where the Temple in Jerusalem is a sign of “God’s presence among men.” However, this is only a temporary sign that will be replaced by a different sign in the New Testament: the body of Christ and his church. The Temple in Jerusalem, with all its symbolism—from a physical temple to a spiritual one—did not ensure the presence of Yahweh (Jeremiah 7:14). Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel foresaw Yahweh abandoning this dwelling place he had chosen and announced its destruction as punishment for national sin (Jeremiah 7:12-15; Ezekiel 9-10). The authentic character of worshiping Yahweh matters more than the material sign to which he had linked his presence. In this Sunday’s Gospel passage, we see Jesus expelling those who have turned the temple into a “place of business.” In the face of the resulting scandal, Jesus announces the new, indestructible temple: his own body. When he rose on the third day, his disciples remembered what he had said and believed in him. Let us also keep in mind the fundamental theme of John’s Gospel, which he announces in the prologue: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” A new temple. After Pentecost, the early Christians underwent a period of transition in which they realized they constituted the new spiritual temple as an extension of the Body of Christ. St. Paul explicitly teaches this in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16‑18 and Ephesians 2. The Church is a distinguished temple in which Jews and pagans have access, without distinction, to the Father in the same Spirit (Ephesians 2:14-19). The members of this church are also temples of God and temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:15; Rom. 8:11), as well as members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 6:15; 12:27). These two concepts are linked because the risen body of Jesus, in whom divinity dwells bodily, is the temple of God par excellence (1 Cor 2:9). The Christian members of this body are the spiritual temple, and they must cooperate in its growth through faith and charity (Ephesians 4:1-16). Let us remember that Christ tells us: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (Jn 14:23). Moreover, let us be aware that we were anointed as living temples of the Holy Spirit in baptism.

The new rectory for Good Shepherd Station in Driggs was completed this year. It will be a place for priests to stay after celebrating Mass and not have to make the arduous journey back to their home parishes in inclement weather. (Courtesy photo) By Good Shepherd Staff For the ICR Years of planning and strategizing have finally come to fruition at Good Shepherd Station in Driggs, Idaho, where construction of a new rectory was recently completed. A Mass of dedication and blessing of the new structure is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28. “The beauty of the Teton Valley in the Driggs and Victor Communities and Good Shepherd Station have been a mixed blessing,” said parishioner and project team member Stephen Earney. “The parishioners have access to all the things that the area has to offer: world-class hiking, skiing, fishing, kayaking and more. However, that also means long, snowy winters and difficult traveling conditions.” The logistics are daunting, Earney said. The priest serving Good Shepherd, who is currently Father Boniface Osuafor, typically arrives just before Mass and leaves immediately afterward to attend to obligations at the other parishes in the cluster, which includes Good Shepherd, St. Patrick Chapel in Rexburg, and Mary Immaculate Parish in St. Anthony, the parent parish of the cluster. “Our community had no priestly presence,” he said. “Three years ago, parishioners got together to address the issue, with pastors citing difficult travel conditions and distance.” Good Shepherd Station in Driggs is part of a three-parish cluster with the parish office located some 50 miles away in St. Anthony. With an average snowfall of 145 inches in Driggs, at the base of the Teton Mountains, travel for the assigned pastor - there have been 10 of them in the last years - in winter is difficult and dangerous. Two years ago, the road between St. Anthony and Driggs was closed 13 times, according to Earney. Meanwhile, growth has created a greater need for a pastor’s presence at the station. “Teton County, Idaho, was listed in the most recent census as the fourth fastest-growing county west of the Mississippi River,” Earney said. “About 10 years ago, Mass attendance was in the teens. Today, the two Sunday Masses draw between 300 to 350 attendees. With the rapidly growing parish, the demands, particularly the sacramental demands, on the pastor have also increased.” The kitchen are dining area are large enough for guests. (Courtesy photo) Building for the future As part of a long-term plan, the Pastoral Council in 2022, under then-Pastor Father John Kucera, approved the construction of a rectory. The new home allows the current priest to stay in Driggs during busy winter events, making the drive from St. Anthony more manageable. The rectory includes three bedrooms and three baths, with one bedroom temporarily serving as a parish office. “A Capital Campaign was concurrent with the construction, and enough money was raised to cover the entire cost of construction,” Earney noted. “However, it was the donated labor costs of the contractors that made this project debt-free. Generous contractors and donors contributed 45% of the total cost for materials and labor.” The benefits of the new rectory are already being felt. Pastor Father Boniface has expanded the daily Mass schedule from one to three days a week. He now arrives on Tuesday and stays through Thursday, giving parishioners more opportunities to attend Mass and visit with him during office hours. Long term, Earney said parishioners at Good Shepherd hope the parish’s rapid growth and expanding ministries will lead the Diocese to consider assigning a full-time resident priest. Plans are already underway for a fully functional parish hall attached to the church to accommodate celebrations, classrooms and future expansion to meet the needs of a growing congregation. A corner of the rectory is dedicated to the priests who served at Good Shepherd Station. (Courtesy photo) Until a full-time priest is assigned, the new rectory will serve as a place for vacationing clergy. The only requirement is that they celebrate the Holy Mass during their stay. “From its humble beginnings in the 1980s, when parishioners gathered for Mass in their homes, Good Shepherd has taken a major step forward with the construction of a rectory, moving closer to becoming the kind of parish community many others already enjoy,” Earney said. Father Caleb Vogel will represent the Diocese on Oct. 28 by presiding over an 11 a.m. Mass and blessing of the new rectory. All former pastors have been invited, and attendees will be treated to a reception afterward. Earney said he and his fellow parishioners can’t help but gaze optimistically toward the future as they watch their station expand. “These are exciting times for Good Shepherd, and the best is yet to come!” The new rectory, left, sits adjacent to Good Shepherd Station, right, in Driggs. (Courtesy photo)

Sister Mary Joachim, above, founded the Mission of Hope to help “those no one serves, in places where no one wishes to go.” (Courtesy photo) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer It can be difficult for American Catholics to imagine the nearest church being more than 400 miles away. While most U.S. Catholics have the opportunity to go to Mass and Adoration daily, in Gode, Ethiopia, Mass is celebrated only when a missionary priest can make the long trek to the military town on the border of Somalia. “We have Mass about every two weeks,” said Sister Mary Joachim, who established the Mission of Hope in Gode, where infrequent Mass is not the only hurdle that she faces. “We do have Adoration every day, in the morning and in the evening. That is our source.” When Ethiopian children point in public to the cross around Sister Joachim’s neck and ask her, “What is that?” she has to choose her words carefully. “It’s mine,” she replies. The answer is truthful, simple and will not give government authorities reason to deport her. The dominant religion of the area is fundamentalist Islam. Although there is religious freedom in the constitution of Ethiopia, if she says too much about the cross in public, she could be accused of proselytizing. Sister Joachim buys food for the Mission of Hope at the local market. (Courtesy photo.) Because she is a foreigner, the community is more lenient with her, but to proselytize would completely upend the witness she brings through her missionary work. Her efforts to save women and children from abuse and poverty shout the love of Jesus more effectively than getting into an argument with government officials. “Thankfully, the governor of the area is supportive of us, and we are more welcomed by the poor,” she said. Although the work in Gode is enormous, Sister is undaunted. “We have to believe that God uses, as Mother Teresa would say, all our little acts of love to open doors,” she said. Sister Joachim and the Mission of Hope are the focus for this year’s Church Builders of Hope fundraiser. The event is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Pioneer Room at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP)in downtown Boise. Sister Joachim She was born into a devout Catholic family in Watford, England, in 1959, and eventually entered St. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in 1980. She served for more than 30 years, mostly in Poland, when she felt called to do even more for the marginalized in society, especially for “those no one serves, in places where no one wishes to go.” In 2011, she began the Mission of Hope. Three years later, while serving homeless psychiatric patients in Cebu, Philippines, a bishop invited her to visit the Ethiopia-Somali region. While there, she met a missionary priest, Father Christopher Hartley, who had lived in Gode for six years. He had requested assistance from various religious congregations, but no one offered any help. Gode is a large city with a military base. The job opportunities in restaurants attract young women and girls from around the country to work as waitresses, cooks and kitchen girls. However, after coming to Gode, they feel pressured to work in prostitution, which provides more income. Most of these young women become single mothers and are unable to break out of prostitution or other abusive situations until they are infected and seriously ill from HIV, tuberculosis or sexually transmitted diseases. Unable to work, these women and their children become homeless. Volunteers give school lessons to children whose mothers are in training for jobs in textiles. (Courtesy photos) “In 2015, we started to work with these women and their children, offering them the opportunity immediately to leave the world of prostitution and begin the road to recovery of their dignity,” Sister Joachim said. Through the Mission of Hope’s Tamara Project, women are invited to learn a skill and have their children cared for while they are in training. Additionally, women regain their sense of being important and precious to others, “rather than being a commodity which is consumed.” The Mission of Hope also provides nutrition and medical care. Last year, the United Nations said an estimated 16 million people in Ethiopia were in need of some form of food assistance. The needs and expenses are significant, and the Mission of Hope is entirely dependent on donations from private individuals. However, Sister Joachim does not want the Mission of Hope to be defined by worries about money. “The people have a right to have the Gospel preached in any way that we can,” she said. “I believe that we have to walk, and God will provide the road.” One Christmas Day, Sister Joachim went to the market to get some things for the children, when it occurred to her how unaware the people around her were. “I was in the middle of the market when it struck me so strongly: They don’t know!” she said. “None of them in the market know that God is their Father, that Christ came to earth, that they are loved. It’s the 21st century. How can this be? Three-quarters of the world hasn’t had a credible witness of the Gospel yet. My mother’s family are all Irish. Thank God for missionaries who went to Ireland. We have received, but then we have a duty to pass it on in whatever way we can. Mother Teresa said the drop in the ocean is essential, even if it is just a drop.” Sister Joachim sews clothing for her mission. (Courtesy photo) Although the work of Mission of Hope is focused in Gode, it has assisted in other areas at the invitation of a bishop and under the guidance of parish priests. Sister Joachim has a team of lay volunteers whom she also invites to assist on short-term missions. When a task entrusted by a bishop is completed, or when others come forward who are willing to take over projects in a sustainable way, the missionaries then move to where they are most needed. To purchase tickets to hear Sister Joachim speak about her work in Ethiopia and the Mission of Hope at the Church Builders of Hope fundraiser, visit ChurchBuilders.us. Table sponsors are eligible for a 22% discount. If You Go: Church Builders of Hope Fundraiser What: Fundraiser supporting Sister Mary Joachim and the Mission of Hope in Gode, Ethiopia When: 5:30–8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 Where: Pioneer Room at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP), downtown Boise Details: The evening includes dinner, guest speakers and updates on Mission of Hope’s outreach to women and children in Ethiopia. Tickets: Available at ChurchBuilders. us. Table sponsors receive a 22% discount.

Lc 18, 9-14 Trigésimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Conviene que nos situemos en la primera página del libro del Génesis, que nos habla de la creación, especialmente del último día, para escuchar a Dios, decir: “Hagamos al hombre a nuestra imagen y semejanza”. También podemos observar cómo visita con la brisa de la tarde a nuestros primeros padres, en el ‘Jardín del Edén”, y cómo, al no encontrarlos, exclamó: “Adán, ¿dónde estás?”. Estaban escondidos en su pecado, despojados de su dignidad original… Y, desde entonces, Dios no cesa de buscarnos. Esta búsqueda ‘angustiosa’, nos revela la esencia misma de Dios, que es precisamente comunicativa, como lo entenderemos más tarde en la revelación de un Dios trinitario: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo, un ministerio en el que Jesús nos invita a participar. Así nació la Historia de Nuestra Salvación. La historia de un Dios con nosotros, del Hijo de Dios encarnado en nuestra historia, que no quiere que perdamos la vida eterna que nos ofrece. En la vida, olvidamos que Dios nos busca. La vida cristiana no consiste tanto en lo que tenemos que hacer por Dios, sino en dejarnos encontrar, penetrar y convertir por Dios que nos buscó antes de que lo comenzáramos a buscar. Para que Dios nos convierta y libere, debemos reconocer que lo necesitamos. Necesitamos salvación. Somos pecadores. De Él nos viene todo lo que es la fe, esperanza y amor. Esta es la humildad. Entrar en el radio de acción de la misericordia del Padre por nuestra pobreza de corazón. “El que se humilla será enaltecido”, es decir, quedará perdonado y purificado. Si el publicano del Evangelio de hoy “bajó a su casa justificado”, fue precisamente por esa actitud. Lo único que podía ofrecer a Dios, era su actitud de miseria y sus pecados, pero creía en su misericordia. Se dejó encontrar y santificar por ella. Lo malo del fariseo no era que cumpliera con sus obligaciones religiosas. Lo que sucedía con él era que, por eso, se creía “convertido”, justificado, religioso. No consideraba que necesitara que Dios lo sanara ni lo convirtiera. En su autosuficiencia religiosa, se había puesto fuera del alcance de la misericordia de Dios. Por eso volvió a su casa igual que antes, sin haber sido justificado. Hay una actitud de Jesús, que, sin duda, refleja una convicción y un estilo de actuar que sorprendieron y escandalizaron a sus contemporáneos: “No necesitan médico los sanos, sino los enfermos. No he venido a llamar a los justos, sino a los pecadores”. El dato es histórico: Jesús no se dirigió a los sectores piadosos, sino a los indignos e indeseables. El peligro es que Dios, por nuestra suficiencia religiosa, Dios no haga mucho más por nosotros. Por esta razón, no olvidemos lo que dijo Jesús: “Solo salió limpio del templo aquel publicano que se golpeaba el pecho di- ciendo: “¡Oh, Dios, ten compasión de este pecador!”.