Best Diocese of Brownsville Podcasts (2024)

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Teaser: Season 7 of The Jesuit Border Podcast 2:35

27m ago2:35

2:35

We are getting ready for Season 7 of The Jesuit Border Podcast! As the migrant situation at the U.S.-Mexico border continues to evolve with new policies and political discourse, we will continue to share on-the-ground stories and experiences with you, along with interviews with inspiring people dedicated to accompanying migrants along the border an…

1
A Wealth of Knowledge and Wisdom 23:42

1M ago23:42

23:42

Episode Six Topic: A Wealth of Knowledge and Wisdom Show Notes: Silver Wisdom is a podcast with shared perspectives of faith and family between adults in their 7th decade of life or more, as well as from those carrying out their Catholic vocation to aid the elderly in various settings. About the Episode: Deacon Vargas divulges life lessons he learn…

1
The Value of the Golden Years 23:11

2M ago23:11

23:11

Episode Five Topic: The Value of the Golden Years Show Notes: Silver Wisdom is a podcast with shared perspectives of faith and family between adults in their 7th decade of life or more, as well as from those carrying out their Catholic vocation to aid the elderly in various settings. About the Episode: Mrs. Carrillo speaks about the challenging yet…

1
The Challenge of the Golden Years 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

Episode Four (5/9/2024) Topic: The Challenge of the Golden Years Show Notes: Silver Wisdom is a podcast with shared perspectives of faith and family between adults in their 7th decade of life or more, as well as from those carrying out their Catholic vocation to aid the elderly in various settings. About the Episode: Mrs. Barbara Vasquez, Catechism…

1
The Value of Spending Time with the Elderly 20:16

2M ago20:16

20:16

Silver Wisdom: Aging with Grace Episode Three (5/2/2024) Topic: The Value of Spending Time with the Elderly Show Notes: Silver Wisdom is a podcast of shared perspectives of faith and family between adults in their 7th decade of life or more, as well as from those carrying out their Catholic vocation to aid the elderly in various settings. About the…

1
Elderly: Burden or Blessing? 21:18

2M ago21:18

21:18

Episode Two (7/3/24) Topic: Elderly: Burden or Blessing? Show Notes: Silver Wisdom is a podcast of shared perspectives from adults living their Catholic faith in the 7th decade of their lives or beyond. About the Episode: Nellie Dominguez calls upon her own Catholic upbringing and family traditions as she shares about her extensive experience provi…

1
Our Elders: Guardians of Memory 28:22

3M ago28:22

28:22

Show Notes: Silver Wisdom is a podcast of shared perspectives from adults living their Catholic faith in the 7th decade of their lives or beyond. About the Episode: Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr., Ph.D., reflects on how older people throughout his own life influenced his path to fulfill his mission from God, which is to care for the elderly in his community…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Easter Joy! Brian and Joe share stories of joy as migrants legally enter the U.S. and reunite with family and friends 22:43

5M ago22:43

22:43

In this bonus episode, Brian and Joe share stories of Easter joy. After a season dedicated to Lenten themes, this bonus episode shares moments of joy that break through even the most challenging moments of life, like a migrant journey. Brian recounts a recent trip to St. Louis, where he became travel partners with Oscar, a Honduran migrant who had …

1
S6E7: “Holy Week” with Alejandro Olayo-Méndez, SJ, Jesuit priest and Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Boston College 38:39

7M ago38:39

38:39

For our final episode of Season 6, we are pleased to welcome Fr. Alejandro Olayo-Méndez, SJ, a Jesuit priest and Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Boston College. Alejandro’s expertise is in migration, refugees, and humanitarian interventions, especially along migration routes in Mexico. He has led small groups of Jesuits to follo…

1
S6E6: “Palm Sunday” with Michael DeBruhl, Shelter Director at Casa del Sagrado Corazón in El Paso, TX 43:25

7M ago43:25

43:25

We are pleased to welcome Michael DeBruhl, the shelter director at Casa del Sagrado Corazón in El Paso, TX. Michael also worked as a Border Patrol agent for 25 years, so he brings a wealth of experience to the interview. He reflects on the dual desires of most Americans to both secure the border and provide welcome to migrants, and how those two de…

1
S6E5: “Rejoicing” with Amaya Valcárcel, International Advocacy Officer with Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) in Rome 39:57

7M ago39:57

39:57

We are excited to welcome Amaya Valcárcel, International Advocacy Officer with Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) in Rome, who also works in the area of research and reflection in the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the Vatican. Amaya helps to broaden our perspective beyond the US-Mexico border to recognize the harsh reality of for…

1
S6E4: “Almsgiving” with Sr. Rose Patrice, IHM, a religious sister based in McAllen, TX 42:50

7M ago42:50

42:50

We are delighted to welcome Sr. Rose Patrice, IHM, who is a member of the community of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) sisters based out of McAllen, TX, and working at migrant shelters on the border. Sr. Rose shares the story of how the IHM sisters recently started a community in the area, and she describes the work they do accompanying migrants. Re…

1
S6E3: “Prayer” with Rafael Cortes, pilot with American Airlines and our companion in ministry 37:57

8M ago37:57

37:57

We are thrilled to welcome Rafael Cortes to this episode of the podcast. While he works professionally as a pilot, he spends his days off joining us for our migrant ministry. He tells the story of how he connected with the Jesuits and started by making sandwiches at their sides. He became involved with the Catholic community at the plaza in Reynosa…

1
S6E2: “Fasting” with Eleanor Acer, Senor Director of Refugee Protection at Human Rights First 37:00

8M ago37:00

37:00

We are excited to welcome Eleanor Acer, who is the Senior Director of Refugee Protection at Human Rights First. Established in 1978, Human Rights First works in the U.S. and abroad to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law. Eleanor shares how her pro bono work with asylum seekers inspired her to shift her legal career from securities …

1
S6E1: “Repentance” with Louie Hotop, SJ, Assistant Principal for Mission at Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, CO 43:40

8M ago43:40

43:40

For our first episode of Season 6, we are thrilled to welcome back to the podcast our former co-host, Louie Hotop, SJ, who is the Assistant Principal for Mission at Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, CO. Louie is helping us launch the Lenten theme for this season by sharing the moving experience of celebrating Ash Wednesday in the camp in Matamor…

1
Teaser: Season 6 of The Jesuit Border Podcast 2:28

8M ago2:28

2:28

We are getting ready for Season 6 of The Jesuit Border Podcast! As we continue to learn about the migrant situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and the humanitarian response of the Catholic Church, we will continue to share stories and experiences with you, along with great interviews with people dedicated to the accompaniment and protection of migra…

1
BONUS CONTENT: full interview with Susan Bigelow-Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies at Emory University 53:46

9M ago53:46

53:46

Earlier this season, it was our pleasure to welcome Susan Bigelow-Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies at Emory University. If you enjoyed hearing from her in Episode 2, here is the full interview. Susan shares her experience of living in Brownsville years ago and watching out her front window as the border wall was being constructed, …

1
S5E7: “Carrying Each Other” with Flavio Bravo, SJ, Jesuit priest with Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries 37:35

11M ago37:35

37:35

For our final episode of Season 5, we are thrilled to welcome Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ, a Jesuit priest working with us at Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries. Flavio has been on the border since December of 2022, so he has a wealth of experiences to share from our ministry. He has a particularly strong link to the migrants we accompany since he himsel…

1
S5E6: “Saying Yes” with Pastor Abraham Barberi, Pastor of Comunidad Esencia Urbana in Matamoros, Mexico 38:19

11M ago38:19

38:19

We are pleased to welcome Pastor Abraham Barberi, Pastor of Comunidad Esencia Urbana in Matamoros and Director of Ministerio Una Misión. Pastor Abraham shares how his ministry started in Matamoros by reaching out to youth and young adults through hip hop music. His story is filled with moments where he just said yes when needs arose, including a ch…

1
S5E5: “We Can Do Hard Things” with Christine Meyer, parishioner at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City 45:52

11M ago45:52

45:52

We are delighted to welcome Christine Meyer, a parishioner at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City and a member of their Ignatian social justice committee. Christine came to visit Brownsville in January 2022 with other members of the parish, and the experiences of that visit transformed the group. She shares the ways that she has gott…

1
Mujeres de fe 29:54

11M ago29:54

29:54

Notes En este episodio, Rose Pallais se une a la Hermana Norma Pimentel para conversar sobre cómo ser una mujer de fe. Presentadora: Hermana Norma Pimentel Invitada: Guest: Rosa Pallais Frontera Tips Rose: Para entrar en oración con Dios, primero aprender a silenciar y callar todos los ruidos en el corazon y la mente. Sr. Norma Libro: La Familia Qu…

1
S5E4: “Broadening Horizons” with Annie Leone, a nurse midwife at the Holy Family Birth Center 37:25

11M ago37:25

37:25

We are thrilled to welcome Annie Leone, who is a nurse midwife at the Holy Family Birth Center and a care provider at the clinic at the Humanitarian Respite Center (HRC) run by Catholic Charities. Annie gives a helpful background on midwifery (including how to pronounce that word!), and she describes the birthing center and its origin story. She al…

1
S5E3: “Wounds” with Deacon Luis Zuñiga, Director of San Juan Diego Lay Ministry Institute in the Diocese of Brownsville, TX 35:29

11M ago35:29

35:29

We are happy to welcome Deacon Luis Zuñiga, the Director of San Juan Diego Lay Ministry Institute in the Diocese of Brownsville, TX. Deacon Luis is a native to the Rio Grande Valley and has a twin brother who is a priest. We talk about the great women in his life who raised him and his brother in the faith. Deacon Luis also serves at the Immaculate…

1
S5E2: “The Tangible Dimension of Our Faith” with Susan Bigelow-Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies at Emory University 39:11

12M ago39:11

39:11

We are excited to welcome Susan Bigelow-Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies at Emory University and author of the recently published book, People Get Ready: Ritual, Solidarity, and Lived Ecclesiology in Catholic Roxbury. Susan shares her experience of living in Brownsville years ago and watching out her front window as the border wall…

1
S5E1: “Hospitality” with Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami, FL 38:48

12M ago38:48

38:48

For our first episode of Season 5, we are humbled to welcome Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami, FL. Growing up in south Florida as the son of Polish immigrants, Archbishop Wenski learned Spanish in the seminary and Haitian Creole as a young priest. He shares stories from his 18 years of experience working with the Haitian communi…

1
Teaser: Season 5 of The Jesuit Border Podcast 2:24

12M ago2:24

2:24

We are getting ready for the 5th season of The Jesuit Border Podcast! As we continue to learn about the migrant situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and the humanitarian response of the Catholic Church, we will continue to share stories and experiences with you! Fr. Louie moved to a new mission, so Joe Nolla, SJ, will be joining Fr. Brian as the new…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Goodbyes- Louie’s last episode on the podcast 26:02

1y ago26:02

26:02

It’s with heavy hearts but trust in God’s plan that we want to share the news that Fr. Louie has been missioned to a new apostolate, Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, CO. In this bonus episode, Louie and Brian reflect on saying goodbyes, something that is a regular part of life on the border working with migrants. They share the story of a Hondu…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Updates from Louie and Brian on the eight migrants struck and killed in Brownsville and the end of Title-42 27:32

1+ y ago27:32

27:32

In this bonus episode, Louie and Brian offer their perspective on recent events that have dominated news headlines. They talk about the tragic circumstance in which eight migrants were struck and killed by a truck outside of a migrant shelter, The Ozanam Center, in Brownsville on Sunday, May 7th. They attended a pair of vigil services the day after…

1
BONUS CONTENT: full interview with Joanna Williams, the Executive Director of the Kino Border Initiative 50:30

1+ y ago50:30

50:30

Earlier this season, it was our pleasure to welcome Joanna Williams, the Executive Director of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), onto the podcast. KBI is a binational program in the border cities of Nogales, Sonora and Nogales, Arizona, which includes a shelter and soup kitchen for migrants, education and encounter programs, along with advocacy out…

1
S4E7: “The Examen” with Fr. James Martin, S.J., best-selling author and editor-at-large of the Jesuit magazine America 48:08

1+ y ago48:08

48:08

For our final episode of Season 4, we are thrilled to welcome Fr. James Martin, SJ, a Jesuit priest who is a best-selling author and editor-at-large at America Magazine, along with hosting a podcast on the Ignatian Examen. The Examen is a contemplative prayer of reflecting on the moments of your day, noticing how God has been at work, and consideri…

1
S4E6: “The Art of Storytelling ” with Laura Peña, attorney and activist from the RGV and host of a new podcast, Valle de Sueños 38:40

1+ y ago38:40

38:40

We are pleased to welcome Laura Peña, the new Director of ProBAR, the south Texas pro bono asylum representation project. She is also the host of the new podcast, Valle de Sueños, which tells the story of the roll down of the “Remain in Mexico” policy in 2021 in Matamoros, Mexico. As a Rio Grande Valley native, Laura shares about the joys and chall…

1
S4E5: “The Joy of the Gospel” with Pastor Carlos Navarro from the Baptist Church in West Brownsville, TX 38:20

1+ y ago38:20

38:20

We are excited to welcome Pastor Carlos Navarro from the Baptist Church in West Brownsville, TX. Pastor Navarro got a call from the Brownsville mayor a few years ago to help receive migrants. That phone call turned into a shelter that he continues to run today, along with the everyday operations of his ministry. Pastor Navarro also shares from his …

1
S4E4: “Responding to Needs” with Fr. Rafael García, SJ, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, TX 37:18

1+ y ago37:18

37:18

We are pleased to welcome Fr. Rafael García, SJ, who is the pastor of Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, TX. He shares from his own background as a migrant fleeing Cuba for Miami, and how this inspired his deep care for migrants and his mission to the border city of El Paso. His church made the news in the winter when they opened up their gymnasium to…

1
S4E3: “Welcoming” with Martha Mercado from Good Neighbor Settlement House 32:57

1+ y ago32:57

32:57

We are happy to welcome Martha Mercado, from Good Neighbor Settlement House where she works as the Welcome Center Program Director and the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Welcoming Committee Facilitator. Martha shares what she loves about her job, including face-to-face ministry at the welcome center and big-picture coordination of local organizations. She…

1
S4E2: “Vocation” with Joanna Williams, the Executive Director of the Kino Border Initiative 37:32

1+ y ago37:32

37:32

We are excited to welcome Joanna Williams, the Executive Director of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI). KBI is a binational program that includes a shelter and soup kitchen for migrants in Nogales, Senora, and education and encounter programs, along with advocacy outreach in both the U.S. and Mexico. Joanna shares the story of what brought her to KB…

1
S4E1: “Accompaniment” with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, TX 38:23

1+ y ago38:23

38:23

For our first episode of Season 4, we are humbled to welcome Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, TX. Dating back to his time in formation for the priesthood, Archbishop Gustavo has a history of working with migrants, beginning in agricultural communities in California in the 1980s and extending to the ministry of the…

1
Season 4 Trailer 2:13

1+ y ago2:13

2:13

We are getting ready for the 4th Season of the Jesuit Border Podcast! As we continue to learn more about the migrant situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and the humanitarian response of the Catholic Church, we will continue to share stories and experiences with you! The first episode of season 4 will come out on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Full interview with Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso, TX 43:59

2y ago43:59

43:59

It was our great pleasure to welcome Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso, TX at the start of Season 3. Known for his advocacy for the poor and vulnerable, Bishop Seitz offers a unique perspective as a leader of the Church in a border community. If you enjoyed hearing from him in Episode 1, here is the full interview. In this episode, he cal…

1
Be Not Afraid; Be a Courageous Woman of Faith 29:35

2y ago29:35

29:35

Episode 14, Be Not Afraid; Be a Courageous Woman of Faith In this episode, Rosie Stockwell from Edinburg, Texas who is an active member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, joins Brenda Nettles Riojas for a conversation about service, humility and being a courageous women of faith. ……. Guest: Rosie Stockwell, a member of the Catholic Daughter…

1
S3E7: “Friendship in Ministry” with Fr. Scott Santarosa, SJ, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Diego, CA 39:43

2y ago39:43

39:43

For our final episode of Season 3, we are thrilled to welcome Fr. Scott Santarosa, SJ, the former provincial of the Jesuits West Province and newly installed pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Diego, CA. Fr. Scott has become a fast friend to the two of us after visiting the Rio Grande Valley early in the year and then helping to host us …

1
Saying “Yes” to God’s Call 38:53

2y ago38:53

38:53

In this episode, Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, joins as a co-host with Brenda Nettles Riojas for a conversation about saying “yes” to God, accompanying others, and recognizing God’s presence in everything we do. Co-host: Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of th…

1
S3E6: “Advocacy” with Sr. Tracey Horan, SP, from the Kino Border Initiative 37:50

2y ago37:50

37:50

We are excited to welcome Sr. Tracey Horan, SP, the Associate Director of Education and Advocacy for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, AZ. Kino is a bi-national program that includes a shelter and soup kitchen for migrants in Nogales, Senora, and education and encounter programs, along with advocacy outreach in both the U.S. and Mexico. Sr. Tr…

1
Gratitude & Advent 29:54

2y ago29:54

29:54

In this episode, Angelica Corona, Creative Communication Specialist for the Diocese of Brownsville, joins Brenda Nettles Riojas for a conversation about gratitude and entering the season of Advent. Guest:Angelica Corona, Creative Communication Specialist for the Diocese of Brownsville. Reflection Questions: What are the blessings in your life this …

1
Happy Thanksgiving: A Prayer for Migrants 7:11

2y ago7:11

7:11

This week, we’re taking a bit of a break from the podcast to celebrate Thanksgiving! Episodes for season 3 will continue to be released next week. For now, however, there is so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Although the situation on the border is fraught with problems and our ministry can at times be challenging, we give thanks to God …

1
Walking in the Spirit of Christ 33:31

2y ago33:31

33:31

Show Notes Episode 11, Walking in the Spirit of Christ In this episode, Yolanda Carrillo, director of Health Ministries for the Diocese of Brownsville, joins Brenda Nettles Riojas for a conversation about the lessons learned from her work in health ministry – being Christ to others, maintaining joy in challenging moments, end-of-life decisions, and…

1
S3E5: “Attention to Details” with Tom Cartwright from the RGV Welcome Committee 39:19

2y ago39:19

39:19

We are excited to welcome Tom Cartwright, an advocate and activist who volunteers with the RGV Welcome Committee and Witness at the Border. Tom retired after nearly forty years working for JP Morgan, but was inspired by a visit to a refugee camp in Greece to put his corporate skills to use on behalf of migrants. Among other things, he tracks the De…

1
Let’s talk about death 34:38

2y ago34:38

34:38

Episode 10, Let’s talk about death In this episode, Lydia Pesina, director of the Family Life Office for the Diocese of Brownsville, who facilitates grieving sessions, joins Brenda Nettles Riojas for a conversation about death, working through grief, remembering our loved ones, and our own memento mori. ……. Guest: Lydia Pesina, director of the Fami…

1
S3E4: “Faithfulness” with Mary Bull from Annunciation House in El Paso, TX 36:53

2y ago36:53

36:53

We are pleased to welcome Mary Bull, a house coordinator at Annunciation House in El Paso, TX. Annunciation House was founded in the 1970s to accompany the migrant, refugee, and economically vulnerable peoples of the border region through hospitality, advocacy, and education. They operate several houses of hospitality for migrants in El Paso. Mary …

1
Episode 9, Caring for Our Elders 34:15

2y ago34:15

34:15

Episode 9, Caring for Our Elders In this episode, Estela Soza Garza of McAllen joins Brenda Nettles Riojas for a conversation about caring for our elders. ……. Guest: Estela Soza Garza of McAllen who for 40 years as a social worker provided services to families in different settings, including mental health support to residents in nursing homes. Ref…

1
S3E3: “Particular Vulnerabilities” with Fr. Matt Kuczora, CSC 38:24

2y ago38:24

38:24

We are happy to welcome Fr. Matt Kuczora, CSC, a Holy Cross priest in law school at the University of Notre Dame. He spent the summer in Brownsville working with Project Dignity Legal Team, where he helped to set up a system for assisting migrants with “particular vulnerabilities” who are eligible to be paroled into the United States. We share our …

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