Seeking the Grace of Encounter
An Immersion Experience for Jesuit Parish Members
Join the Ignatian Solidarity Network and the Encuentro Project in an exploration of border realities in the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez region.
About the Experience
January 9-13, 2019
El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
- Encounter and minister to migrant, refugee, or vulnerable
immigrant individuals in shelters, guest houses, and/or parishes - Site visits with individuals and organizations serving the El Paso
and Ciudad Juarez regions - Connect Catholic Social Teaching to migrant and border realities
- Engage in group reflection and prayer
Cost
$565 (ISN Member Parish) + Airfare to/from El Paso Int’l Airport
$595 (Non-Member Parish) + Airfare to/from El Paso Int’l Airport
Fee includes facilitation, lodging, meals, ground transportation, interpretation, planning materials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Encuentro Project?
The Encuentro Project is a collaborative and inter-congregational project involving Jesuits, Marist Brothers, and Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family who are partnering to host groups on the US-Mexico border in El Paso.
Will someone from the Encuentro Project / Ignatian Solidarity Network be with our group the entire time?
Yes, Encuentro Project staff will lead our on the ground experience. ISN staff will provide logistical support and assist in the process of facilitating daily prayer and reflection on the experience.
Where will I stay?
The Encuentro Project utilizes a former convent (1837 Grandview, El Paso, TX 79902) that serves as a community living space for overnight accommodations, meals, and meetings. The building is three levels, 9-bedroom, 6-bathroom, with common areas, the project’s office and separate community space for the two Marist Brothers whose community is based at the Encuentro project. The building is excellent for our mission and is centrally located, approximately 1 1⁄2 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
How will we travel around?
The Ignatian Solidarity Network will facilitate travel, including airport pick-up and drop off in rental vans through the time in the El Paso area.
Do I need to have a passport?
Yes, the group will travel into Mexico to meet with faith-based partners in Ciudad Juarez during the time on the border. A valid U.S. passport that does not expire within six months of January 2019 is required for participation.
Who is this encounter experienced intended for?
Our hope is to invite Jesuit parish members (parishioners, staff, Jesuits) to have an experience on the US-Mexico border that will provide seeds for continued education in their parish on immigration issues, encourage participation in the Campaign for Hospitality, and maybe even be the first step in the parish organizing their own group to El Paso to work with Encuentro.
Registration
Space is very limited due to the delegation size totaling no more than twelve individuals. Parishes can register spots for parishioners and then select individuals to take part or parishioners can register themselves individually. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required with full payment due on Tuesday, December 10, 2018, at which put all payments are final.
To register yourself or parishioners from your parish, click here.
DOWNLOAD a 1-page PDF flyer.
Questions regarding registration or the experience can be directed to Kim Miller, ISN Program Director at kmiller@ignatiansolidarity.net.