It's the end of the road...

I can't believe the semester is coming to an end already! I feel like we just started this crazy journey into the world of online journalism and now we are done. Well, at least for now!

This semester has brought so many wonderful learning experiences. From learning how to use the illustrious Soundslides, (which I actually never found to be that bad), getting stories up online for the whole world to see and winning the coveted "best online student journalist award," it's been a great semester.

The thing I really loved about this course was being able to tell stories that wouldn't normally have been heard. Case in point- St. Andrew's Clinic. Many people don't even know that it exists or what it does but even less would know about it if it weren't for Borderbeat. The stories, photos and videos that were produced out of that trip were inspiring and eye-opening and I hope that when people read, look at and watch them, they will feel the same way. The experience that I had there was life changing and nothing else in the world could take the place of it.

It has also been amazing to see how a group of 20 people, most of whom didn't know each other before this class, were able to put such a professional piece of journalism together. The writing and the editing that have come from many of the people in our class has been phenominal and I'm extremely proud to have been a part of it. It has been a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

As for my blog, I've enjoyed finding the link between religion and the border because they are so intertwined. My favorite project of the semester was going out to Tumacacori and doing the photo story. The space had such a mystical and haunting feel to it and it was a inspiring day. I would highly recommend heading out to Tumacacori if anyone is interested in early religion or history. The place is full of it and could keep anyone entertained for hours.

My last contribution to Border Belief is a set of links to other blogs or sites that cover the same kind of religion/culture topic that I find so interesting. I hope that you enjoy them and I hope that you have enjoyed reading my blogs.

Adios!


El Amor de Dios hecho Corazon (all in Spanish)
Desert Beliefs- Azstarnet.com
Religion News Blog
Religious Cartoonist
Atheism
Gaul Islam
Appreciation for all faiths

Catholic Priests Nominated for Beatification

For many Catholic priests, the idea of leaving a legacy after their death is something that they hope to achieve. Two priests who have ties to Tucson, have been nominated for beatification.

In the Catholic church, this is the confirmation that these people who have passed on have ascended in to Heaven and are able to interceed in situations where a person has prayed in their name.

Reverends Lucas Trinity and Eduardo Ferre were among the nominated on October 28. They were Carmelite missionaries from Spain and served at Santa Cruz Catholic Church here in Tucson. They served the Hispanic Catholic community and eventually became American citizens.

When they returned to Spain, they were murdered for their beliefs. They are know considered martyrs within the Catholic Church because they died for their faith.

More Information

No More Deaths

A few weeks ago, I featured the faith-based activist group "Humane Borders." With Tucson being so close to the border, there are many other groups like Humane Borders that fight to help illegal immigrants as cross the hot, dry desert.

Another group based out of Southern Arizona is "No More Deaths/ No Mas Muertes." It was started in 2004 after many people realized that hundreds of immigrants were dying in the Arizona desert as they tried to cross the border. Finding this unacceptable, people from many different faiths joined together to create No More Deaths.

According to their Web site, the goal of the grou is "to provide water, food, and medical assistance to migrants walking through the Arizona desert; to moniter US operations on the border and work to change US policy to resolve the "war zone" criis on the border; and to bring the plight of migrants to public attention."

The organization is an umbrella for over 10 activist groups, including Humane Borders, and hosts over 8-10 major activities within Southern Arizona.

All Souls/ All Saints Day

On November 4th, people with links to Mexican culture gathered together to remember the loved ones who have gone before them.

On All Souls Day each year, they light candles, build alters, hold parades and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

While this tradition has its roots in Catholic Mexico, there are many protestant Christian religions and other religions that celebrate the day as well. The last couple weeks, I have witnessed a few different ways that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has celebrated this traditional Mexican holiday in their own way.

At Esperanza Lutheran Church, located in Phoenix, members of the congregation were invited to light candles for the loved ones whom they had lost or whom they wanted to honor. Candles were set up inside the outline of a cross. Many people, including myself, shed tears for the loved ones they miss so much. As the people filed up to the front of the church and lit their candles, a sense of peace and hope filled the Sanctuary. It was a beautiful way to honor the lives of so many people. I wasn't able to take a photo but I found this one online. Imagine it like this but about 50 more tealights.

Photo courtesy of Ark Community.



At Lord of Grace Lutheran Church, located in Marana, members of the congregation were given blank paper crosses to decorate in memory of their loved ones. The crosses were decorated with different colors, patterns and sometimes photos of the person being honored. When they were completed, they were hung around the room in the Santuary has a public reminder that even though the people have left us, their spirits live on inside of our hearts.

Both of these celebrations were unique but held the same value and meaning that the traditional All Souls celebrations have. It was a moving and peaceful experience and I am glad I was able to be a part of it.

Day of the Dead

Every year, Mexicans gather together to remember their loved ones who have passed away.

At the beginning of November, residents of Mexico and many Americans, celebrate "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead." The day is often seen as morbid by those who do not have an understanding of the Mexican culture. Many people view death, not as a painful experience, but as a chance for a renewed life.

Families gather and create alters, cook food, and decorate graves for the loved ones that they have lost in prior years. Parades are held to honor loved ones, including children, parents and pets.

Tucson celebrates this holiday along with many southern towns in the United States. Activities will be held all around the city in preparation for the All Souls Parade on Nov. 4th. Check out this All Souls Video from past parades. For information about activities, check out Allsoulsparade.org .

It is a peaceful and fun time for many people. It gives people a chance to celebrate the lives of their loved ones, something that I never understood until I suddenly lost a loved on in February. I can understand the peace and even the joy that it can bring to honor the life of a person who has left so many things behind.

Here is a video I found on YouTube about Dia De Los Muertos. Enjoy!


Produced by hooligantv.com

Mission Trips

In 2005, I attended a mission trip with my church from Phoenix to Altacomulco, Mexico, a town just north of Mexico City. The mission where we stayed and worked is owned by my former pastor's daughter and brother-in-law. It serves as both a school and a church for the surrounding towns. We held vacation Bible school, did some work on the grounds of the mission and taught a few English classes to some of the kids in the surrounding area. It was by far one of the most inspiring and life-changing events in my life.

I was thinking about that mission trip today when I was trying come up with something to write about in my blog. It got me wondering how many mission organizations target the border towns of the U.S.- Mexico border.

So, off I went to Google and there I found numerous arrays of different companies that will arrange mission trips to almost anywhere in Mexico. All of them were headed by Christian organizations, something that I found rather interesting. I didn't see any Jewish, Muslim or other religion outreach programs. Not that I am saying they don't exist, but none popped up.

After doing this search, I can understand why many people in Mexico would choose to convert to another denomination of Christianity, despite the fact that the main religion is Catholicism. With so many different organizations and ministries traveling to different regions to aid and preach, I think they find it new and exciting.

Here are some interesting links I found if you are interested!

Go Missions to Mexico
Global Frontier Missions
Mexico Mission Trip

Humane Borders

Located near the University of Arizona is one of Arizona's largest humanitarian aid organizations.

Humane Borders is an organization that sets up over 70 water stations throughout southern Arizona to aid the thousands men, women and children who cross the U.S.-Mexico border on foot every year.

The organization is run out of First Christian Church and is led by Reverend Robin Hoover, co-founder of Humane Borders.

Humane Borders has volunteers from all over Arizona, all of which come from different faith bases and religions. It is an incredible organization that does a really great thing for people out in the desert.

Here is a video that I found on Youtube that shows what the organization does. It was done by Jerry Leggett.