Youth Ministries Director Leaves to Join Maryknoll Mission in South America

By Evan Cuthbert

When we approach another people, another place, and another culture
we must take off our shoes
because the place on which we are about to step is holy ground.
Lest we forget that God was there before us.

I first heard this reflection several years ago. I had just completed a two-year volunteer program at the Centro Cristo Rey del Nino Trabajador (Christ the King Center for the Working Child) - a ministry of the Peruvian Jesuits to the thousands of impoverished children of Tacna, Peru. Like many cities in Latin America and throughout the world, Tacna is full of young children who, due to the oppressive poverty in which they are born, are forced to work as early as five years old.

The reflection is taken from the Book of Exodus when Moses approached the burning bush, Yaweh said, "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." (Ex. 3:5). It put into words what I experienced in those two-years in Peru. In my encounters with the working children of Peru I walked on holy ground. I experienced the living God who goes before us, the One who hears the cry of the people, and the One who calls us to act for others' and our own liberation from whatever enslaves.

These two years fueled a flame in my heart and in the heart of Sue, my spouse, who also worked in Peru as a Jesuit Volunteer. This flame has grown into what I can only be describe as a call. Seeking to respond to this call Sue, our two daughters Mary and Rose, and I are becoming members of Maryknoll Lay Missioners. While we do not know yet where we will be going and what we will be doing we know that we will be in Bolivia or Chile living and working among the culturally and spiritually rich and economically poor indigenous people. After a training program next fall we will begin a three and a half year commitment in January 2005.

We know we could stay here and still maintain a sense of mission. We know we could serve the needy and impoverished here. We could work for policy and social changes that would allow the three billion impoverished in our world to have a greater say and participation in the global economy. Yet, for Sue and me there comes a point where reason ends and faith begins. This is our experience of call. It is what we hope and believe it means to trust in our loving God who goes before us, inviting us to walk with God and others.

As I prepare to leave St. Mary's I recall the holiness of this community of faith. I am thankful to the many people who welcomed me to this community and the parents who have supported our efforts to build up the youth ministry program. I recall the generous youth who have freely given of themselves here at home, at Camp Sunshine and in Eastman Georgia. I recall the many ways that they have taught me and challenged me to recognize and appreciate the gifts they offer to our community and world.

I am thankful for Paul Gannon, Jr. and Harry Duchesne who will assume the direction of the youth ministry. They are tremendous individuals who bring new energy and gifts to our growing program. I am thankful to the parish staff for all of their support, their generosity and their spirit. I am thankful to Fr. Paul for inviting me to be part of the ministry over which he presides. I am sincerely hopeful that the connections we have formed will last long into the future. Who knows? Maybe we will see each other in Bolivia someday in the not too distant future! May God bless you and keep you. Gracias!