Juan Arturo and the real meaning of sacrifice
Lent 2024 newsletter Joe Loney and Filo Siles, Bolivia Lent is a time when I like to sacrifice something that I enjoy in order to sharpen my focus, re-examine my priorities and to identify better with the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. I often have...
God’s love and mercy in action
YOUR LENTEN GIFT Dear friend, Violence can take many forms. Each day on the news, we see violence and conflict that destroys lives and communities. But there are other forms of violence we also see: When we discriminate, when we ignore the needs of the...
‘Unless you become like children, …’
Advent 2023 newsletter Joe Loney and Filo Siles, Bolivia My Christmas gift arrived early this year. Through our sharing with two persons with disabilities, I acquired a new understanding of what it means to be childlike. When I first heard the Gospel passage that we...
Jhon Alex walks
Fall 2023 newsletter Joe Loney and Filo Siles, Bolivia We continue to endeavor every day to turn our vision of justice, compassion and dignity for the people with disabilities in Bolivia into a reality. Two of the persons with whom we strive to achieve a measure of...
‘The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor’
Filo Siles and Joe Loney after their church talk in Michigan. My nervousness about making a mission appeal before the parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Families in Center Line,…
Prayers of thanksgiving
Maryknoll lay missioner Filo Siles (left) dancing with older people during a community meeting at Puytucani, Tacopaya, Bolivia. We who gather here today give you thanks for opening our eyes,…
‘What are you drinking?’
“What are you drinking?” “What are you offering to drink?” When I am asked the first question, and depending upon the time of day and the setting, I might respond by saying that I would like water, tea, coffee, soft drink, beer or a glass of wine. Having those...
Community-based disability ministry in Bolivia
Maryknoll lay missioners Joe Loney and Filo Siles talk about their disability ministry at the Social Justice Foundation in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The foundation serves directly more than 280 children, youth and adults living with disabilities in two communities — the...
Helping persons with disabilities with their livelihoods
December 2022 newsletter Joe Loney and Filo Siles, Bolivia At this time of year when we express our wishes to family, friends and neighbors for a very merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, Filo and I find ourselves reflecting on our activities in 2022. Can we do...
A day in the life of a saint
…missioners Joe Loney (center) and Filo Siles (with striped hat). With humility and conviction, Juan Carlos lives the values of inclusion and justice in the world. (All photos by Meinrad…
