The following are a collection of photos of special moments in the ministry from which I have now retired.
The Kino Teen story
In 2009, the year Kino Border Initiative was founded, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offered a grant to any organization that would partner with another organization to teach youth about immigration issues. Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson wanted Kino Border Initiative and Lourdes Catholic School to partner to apply for the grant so Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ, Executive Director of KBI and Mrs. Teresita Scully, Campus Minister at Lourdes, together wrote a grant proposal creating the Kino Teens. KBI was awarded the grant. Fr. Pete Neeley, SJ, was asked to be the facilitator of the Kino Teen project and he not only facilitated the program in Nogales, but has carried it to numerous schools around the country who have created their own Kino Teen or immigration clubs. In 2014 Fr. Sean and the Kino Teens received a personal letter from Pope Francis affirming their ministry to migrants. In 2015 Joanna Williams became the Education/Advocacy Director for Kino Border Initiative and works with Fr. Pete in facilitating the Kino Teens.
The first Kino Teens. This picture was taken in 2010.
Click on picture to see the very first video these Kino Teens made of their work
Fr. Sean, Teresita, Gerardo at the Posada
Fr. Sean and Kino Teens with first KBI staff at the Comedor
Fr. Pete, Gerardo Ramos (Kino Teen), Fr. Sean, Fr. Martin at the Tumacacori Fiesta
Gerardo and Theresa enacting the arrival of Padre Kino in Arizona
Kino Teens promote KBI and offer handmade items for a donation at the Tumacacori Fiesta
Fr. Pete and Kino Teen presenters
Bishop Kicanas, Fr.Pete Neeley, SJ, Mrs. Scully and Kino Teens Leaders decide to write to Pope Francis about immigration
Pope Francis wrote back to Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ, and the Kino Teens click on picture for link to video story
Bishop Kicanas Presents Jocelyn Robles, Kino Teen President with a copy of the letter
Jesus Espinoza speaks about Border and Immigration Issues at a Legislative Hearing click on picture for story
With Cardinal O’Mally for the Mass on the Border
With the Apostolic Nuncio, and Bishops at the Border
Kino Teens at the youth Fest
Border Days 2010 Click on picture for story
Border Days 2011 click on picture for story
Fr. Pete Neeley, SJ and Kino Teens from San Francisco, Phoenix and Nogales during Border Days click on picture for story
Sharing during Border Days 2015 click on picture for full story
Miranda serving migrants at the Comedor
Jackie serving migrants at the Comedor
Jorge Tello giving a talk to the whole assembly at the Jesuit Teach-In in Washington DC click on picture for entire speech
Jorge and Alejandro giving a workshop on building spiritual Bridges
Representative Grijalva in his DC office with Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ, Andres Rodriguez, Andres Becerra, and Mrs. Scully
At the statue of Padre Kino in the Capital in DC
Joanna Williams and Eveke Calixtro advocate
for migrants on the capital grounds during the Teach-in 2016
Kino Border Initiative Celebrated Five Years of work. The Kino Teens presented a book of Remembrance
Kino Teens have roles as Mary Joseph and Angel each year in the Bi-national Posada.
Click on picture for story
Kino Teens at Lourdes frequently host Teen groups from other schools
while they are visiting the Border
Hosting Salesianum
Hosting St. Luis Prep
Some years Fr. Pete takes Kino Teens from Lourdes to California to do presentations with him. This is in Santa Clara
Yamelle, Ana and Maria in San Francisco
Mr. Barajas with Kino Teens Luis, Jerry and Jesus in California, 2018
Leadership Days 2016
Leadership Days 2017 click on picture to see what the leaders have to say
With Leaders from other years click on picture for the goals and objectives of the Leadership program
Fr. Pete with some leaders at the Border click on the picture to hear what he has to say about the leadership training
Kino Teen Summit 2017
Ice Breakers at the 2016 Summit
Kino Teen Summit 2018
Upper class students at Lourdes frequently visit and do projects with preschool
Fr Sean and the “wise men” prepare for Epiphany liturgy
Confirmations with Bishop Kicanas and the Ramos family
Awards–Maria, Alex, and Carolina
receive awards from Bishop Kicanas
A Sophomore Retreat
Staff retreat
At the beginning of each school year the seniors and the preschool exchange blessings in the garden click on picture for video
On the Feastday of St. Francis we have a blessing of animals. click on the picture for a video
Lourdes Catholic School received an award from USCCB for their Environmental work click on the picture for the story of the garden
The senior class of 2013 donated a statue of St. Francis for the student garden
At Thanksgiving each year the preschool dresses as Pilgrims and Indians meet in the garden with a representative from Kino Border initiative to offer food gifts for the migrants
Lourdes has a special relationship with Catholic Relief Services. Kino Teens take Norma Valdez the regional representative to visit the Comedor click on picture for story of Lourdes CRS Fair
In 2017 the students established a Business Club and an on campus business at Lourdes
Deacon Javier Fierro from KBI served as consultant for the development of the Snack Bar Business
The head of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce came to visit the business
The Executive Committee was invited to the Chamber to present their business
