Maryknoll Lay Missioners and Maryknoll Affiliates are creating a collaborative community in El Paso. A leased house is available to welcome and lodge volunteer affiliates and returned lay missioners who want to provide volunteer service through the migrant shelters at the border.
After several months of discussions, a collaborative project with Maryknoll Lay Missioners and Maryknoll Affiliates has become a reality. On Aug. 1, Maryknoll Lay Missioners signed a lease on a house in El Paso for the development of an “intentional community” that works with migrants there.
“Bethany House,” located on E. Rio Grande Ave., has six bedrooms and space for gatherings for volunteer affiliates and returned lay missioners who want to provide service through the migrant shelters at the border. Volunteers will be asked to complete an application and serve for a minimum of two weeks. It’s possible in the future that those who are discerning whether to become lay missioners may have the opportunity to volunteer and stay at the house as well.
“Their service will be appreciated by the partners of migrant shelters that are in need of volunteers,” says Elvira Ramirez, executive director of Maryknoll Lay Missioners. “The hope is that this intentional community will make it possible to increase the capacity of shelters to serve the needs of migrants.”
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Maryknoll Lay Missioners are creating new initiatives to help migrants and other marginalized people. Your donation will help to sustain our missioners on both sides of the border and around the world.
ABOUT MARYKNOLL LAY MISSIONERS
Maryknoll Lay Missioners is a Catholic mission-sending community committed to nonviolence through prevention, intervention, reconciliation, and restoration of all creation. We are long-term missioners and missioner families in nine African, Asian, and American countries. Striving to create an inclusive and anti-racist world, we live with those most excluded in society to transform unjust structures together. Learn more at mklm.org.
Jennifer Tomshack was Maryknoll Lay Missioners' communications manager from August, 2024-January, 2026.
I was a Maryknoll lay missioner in the class of 1982. I was in Tanzania in 1983,84,85. I married another lay missioner, Barry Linehan. I am now a retired pediatric Physical therapist, but also worked in education for 10 years. We live in Spokane WA. I’d love to hear how I could come help at the Mexico border for the 2 weeks mentioned.