Kino Border Initiative

Iniciative Kino para la Frontera

  • Donate
    • Give Financially
    • Give Goods
    • Leaving A Legacy
  • Who We Are
    • Mission and Vision
    • Values
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Employment
    • Contact
  • What We Do
    • Humanitarian Aid
    • Education
    • Advocacy
    • Border Action Team
  • Get Involved
    • March Fundraiser
    • Learn
      • Kino Teens
      • Resources
      • Migrant Stories
      • Participant Evaluation Form
    • Give Financially
    • Give Goods
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
  • Newsroom
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter
    • Annual Report
  • Blog
  • Español
You are here: Home / News / Up Close: The People of the KBI

March 6, 2016 By Kino Border Initiative Leave a Comment

Up Close: The People of the KBI

Walking in Mercy Youth Summit 

In response to Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year of Mercy, the KBI and the Kino Teens brought together students from four southern Arizona high schools for a Walking in Mercy Youth Summit. On that Saturday afternoon in early February, Bishop Gerald Kicanas greeted the 25 participants and introduced the summit’s focus—journeying with migrants—followed by opening prayers led by the students.

For the rest of the afternoon, the students (all of whom have visited the KBI in the past) engaged in theater improvisations, a quilting project, and various workshops and discussions about the migrant experience, advocacy, and community involvement. The goal? A better understanding of what migrants face and the critical need for more humane immigration policies, and identifying ways to share that knowledge and compassion by becoming agents of change in their schools, neighborhoods and churches.

To close the summit, Father Pete Neeley celebrated Mass with the participants and facilitators. The colorful quilt of migrant stories and responses adorned the altar, the music ministers led everyone in song, and new summit friendships and commitments lifted spirits and promised encouragement and support in the work ahead.

Muchísimas gracias a todos: Participating schools included Kino Teens from Lourdes Catholic School in Nogales, St. Augustine Catholic High School, and Salpointe Catholic High School, and El Otro Lado students from San Miguel High School in Tucson. Thanks to Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Father Pete Neeley, and workshop facilitators Kenenna Amuzie, Perry Petrich, Tere Scully and Joanna Williams; Cathy Meyer and St. Augustine’s for hosting; and Kate McGarey-Vasey, Marci Harrington, and the students of Salpointe for providing lunch and organizing the quilting project.

Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson welcomes the students to the Walking in Mercy Summit.
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson welcomes the students to the Walking in Mercy Summit.
The students get acquainted with an icebreaker.
The students get acquainted with an icebreaker.
Joanna Williams, KBI Director of Education and Advocacy, preps the summit’s student assistants
Joanna Williams, KBI Director of Education and Advocacy, preps the summit’s student assistants
Students write migrant stories and aspirations on quilt squares.
Students write migrant stories and aspirations on quilt squares.
Quilt squares from the Walking in Mercy story activity.
Quilt squares from the Walking in Mercy story activity.
KBI Assistant Director of Education Father Pete Neeley, S.J., facilitates discussion with the summit participants.
KBI Assistant Director of Education Father Pete Neeley, S.J., facilitates discussion with the summit participants.
The teens break into groups to discuss ideas for spreading awareness at their schools.
The teens break into groups to discuss ideas for spreading awareness at their schools.
In the theater workshop, participants explore the migrant experience through improvised scenes.
In the theater workshop, participants explore the migrant experience through improvised scenes.
The summit closes with a Mass celebrated by Father Pete Neeley at an altar decorated with the students’ quilt.
The summit closes with a Mass celebrated by Father Pete Neeley at an altar decorated with the students’ quilt.
The music ministers lead everyone in song at the end-of-day Mass.
The music ministers lead everyone in song at the end-of-day Mass.

Filed Under: News, Passages Newsletter

Comments are public.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

KINO BORDER INITIATIVE
OUR LOCATION IN USA
P.O. Box 159
Nogales, AZ 85628-0159
(520) 287-2370
OUR LOCATION IN MEXICO
Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio #384,
Interior A
Colonia FOVISSSTE II
Nogales, Sonora, C.P. 84020
011-52 (631) 316-2086
(If dialing from the US: 011-52)
Who We Are

Mission and Vision
Values
Staff
Board
Employment
Contact

What We Do

What We Witness
Humanitarian Aid
Education
Advocacy

Get Involved

2022 Annual Dinner
Learn
-Kino Teens
-Resources
-Migrant Stories
-Participant Evaluation Form
Give
Volunteer
Act

Newsroom

Media Protocol
Press Releases
Press Kit
Newsletter
Annual Report

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Español
  • Latest
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Donate

© 2021 Kino Border Initiative · Privacy Policy · Site design by Julie Ray Creative