Sarah Bueter, a current Maryknoll lay missioner in El Salvador, was among the panelists.
On Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, the Maryknoll community and others interested in mission participated in a 90-minute online conversation on how young people have contributed to and benefited from being a part of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners community.
The panel discussion was facilitated by Karen Bortvedt Estrada, a returned Maryknoll lay missioner (Cambodia, 2013-2017). Attendees asked questions of the panelists.
The panelists were:
- Abby Belt (returned Maryknoll lay missioner – Haiti, 2018-2022)
- Thomas Gould (son of Deirdre Cornell & Kenney Gould, returned Maryknoll lay missioners – El Salvador, 2002-2003 & Mexico, 2004-2007; current communications manager at Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns)
- Sarah Bueter (current Maryknoll lay missioner – El Salvador, 2023-present)
- Cortney Freshwater (returned Maryknoll lay missioner – Bolivia, 2018-2022)
- Abby and Justin Veryser (children of Stephen & Loyce Veryser, current Maryknoll lay missioners – Tanzania, 2018-present)
Watch the discussion:
Maryknoll Lay Missioners is marking the 50th anniversary of its official founding with a yearlong celebration that started in August 2024 and will culminate in an in-person celebration Aug. 14-17, 2025 on the Maryknoll campus. A series of events are being held throughout this “Golden Jubilee” year.
The jubilee events have been organized by the “Always A Missioner” committee, a group of returned Maryknoll lay missioners and Maryknoll Lay Missioners staff who help nurture the vast community of returned missioners through events and communications to maintain strong connections with each other and the organization as they continue to live their call to mission in the next phases of their lives.
Compelled by faith to engage with people across cultures and ethnicities, Maryknoll lay missioners live, love and work with communities on the margins to promote active nonviolence and healing.
