News From New Mexico
The Mendicant
From Martyrdom to Mutuality
August 30th, 2024
As an Asian-American woman raised in the evangelical Christian tradition, I have been culturally and religiously conditioned to be a martyr. I received praise when I sacrificed my time, energy, and wellbeing for the people around me. My bend toward martyrdom was reinforced (I thought) by the teachings of Jesus. A
Mutual Mentoring
August 30th, 2024
Over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed tuning in to the CAC’s Everything Belongs podcast, not only for the brilliant guests, but especially to eavesdrop on Fr. Richard’s conversations with co-hosts Paul Swanson and Mike Petrow as they learn from one another. I feel like a fly on the wall, listening to these
The Unexpected Mission of Jesus
August 30th, 2024
Weather Report
Severe storm warning. Resist the temptation to shelter inside. Go out into it, and bring calm steadiness. It will change the storm.
—Steve Garnaas-Holmes
While in prison, John the Baptist grew concerned about the actions (or nonactions) of Jesus. Apparently, Jesus was not behaving like
Death, My Mentor
August 30th, 2024
Death is my mentor, guide, and companion. Sudden death. Wrongful death. Accidental death. Threatening death. These are the spiritual mentors which have guided my life, my relations, my quiet moments, and my committed actions.
Some people believe I have had more sudden death in my life than most. There is no way
Poetry for When the World Burns
August 29th, 2024
Poetry saved my life. I’ve heard many poets, including myself, utter some version of this sentiment over the years. Usually, this response is given after an interviewer asks a question like, “What is saving your life right now?” or “What is sustaining you these days?” The fact that questions such as these
Can Money Serve Our Transition from Ego to Soul?
May 13th, 2024
Douglas Tsoi is a Franciscan spiritual director who offers financial-spiritual coaching. He writes about the intersection of personal finance and spirituality on the Substack newsletter Money and Meaning. He can be found at www.douglastsoi.com.
By Douglas Tsoi
Recently, I listened to an interview in which
Expanding the Circle of Support
May 13th, 2024
Ben Keesey is the Development & Partnerships Director for the Center for Action and Contemplation and has been working with Fr. Richard and the CAC team since 2016. Prior to joining CAC, Ben was the Executive Director of the international justice organization Invisible Children working in three countries in east
Guideposts on the Camino
May 13th, 2024
Braxton Martorano is a resident of Indianapolis and recent graduate of Butler University, where he designed a racial equity workshop based in storytelling, served as a ministry leader, and studied economics. He now works to support small, disadvantaged businesses at the Indy Chamber of Commerce.
By Braxton
Contemplation, Community, and Commitment
May 13th, 2024
Cheri Crockett is a retired CPA living in St. Charles, Missouri. She is actively involved in volunteer work for a nonprofit organization that promotes voting, voter education, and civic engagement. She and her husband also coordinate their church’s self-service pantry. Cheri enjoys reading, yoga, hanging out with
In Appreciation of Vanessa Guerin, Managing Editor of the Mendicant
February 14th, 2024
CAC staff member Paul Swanson started a staff meeting recently with a reflection about the dynamic tension between being an amateur and being a professional when working on something we deeply care about. The word “amateur” originated from the French and Italian in the eighteenth century to mean "one who loves" or