Earlier this month the Maryknoll Society celebrated its 100th anniversary as a mission organization. Here in Cochabamba, Bolivia at the Language Institute Maryknollers celebrated that as well as the 60th anniversary of their mission work in Latin America. Lynn and I were able to attend two days of the festivities (speeches, focus groups, reflections on missiology, and of course, some feasting and dancing). One of our friends from the Maryknoll House in the Sopacachi District of La Paz, Michael Gillgannnon also made a presentation (he is now in the United States on a speaking tour) about the US role in Latin American politics and social change.  It was wonderful to see the intensity of commitment among these people, some of whom have been living in Bolivia, dedicated to their mission work for decades. It also felt good to return to our alma mater where we had begun our first phase of in-country mission--learning Spanish--just a year and a half ago. We knew we were not as experienced in the field as many there, but we already had our own mission experiences to speak of, and the numerous Maryknollers of all ages welcomed us.

As lay missioners of Franciscan Mission Service, Lynn and I felt honored to help celebrate the Maryknoll Society's longevity. We understood from our participation that a part of achieving that longevity was the continuing renewal--within individuals, their communities, and their organizations--while remaining true to their values. We were also honored to participate in this renewal in a very special way. It was our privilege to present to the Cochabamba Maryknollers one more reminder of the mission spirit that first brought them to Bolivia. This was in the form of a picture of Mary of the Mountain that John Joseph (Jack) Higgins, a Maryknoll priest from our hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, had once given to his own mother while he was serving on mission in Bolivia.