A Book Recommendation: If Nuns Ruled the World: Ten Sisters on a Mission By Jo Piazza

by Anita Timpani Since March 2013 when Pope Francis was elected we have consistently seen/heard his name throughout the media… Jo Piazza, in her book, I​f Nuns Ruled the World: Ten Sisters on a Mission,​writes about ten nuns, most of which names you have never heard in the media. She profiles these nuns who haveContinue reading “A Book Recommendation: If Nuns Ruled the World: Ten Sisters on a Mission By Jo Piazza”

THE GENTRIFIED DOWNTOWN AND THE RONSTADT TRANSIT CENTER // HAY CAMBIOS EN EL CENTRO DE CAMIONES RONSTADT

by Brian Flagg I feel bad because I was stupid enough to allow a reporter to take my words out of context and misrepresent me (“Early Reactions to Ronstadt Plan Positive” Arizona Daily Star, 7/27/2015, http://tucson.com/news/blogs/road_runner/early-reactions-to-ronstadt-plan-positive/article_bd1028a0-55ff-5c75-828e-9ed345103ec4.html) I should have known better. I should have been more disciplined. He quoted me to the effect that both plansContinue reading “THE GENTRIFIED DOWNTOWN AND THE RONSTADT TRANSIT CENTER // HAY CAMBIOS EN EL CENTRO DE CAMIONES RONSTADT”

AN EIGHT DAY RETREAT // UN RETIRO DE OCHO DIAS

by Barbie Urias My Comrade Brian Flagg sent me on the second week of July 2015 to an eight day retreat in Los Altos Hills, California, a Jesuit Retreat Center. The retreat was based on spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. The exercises are for prayer, reflection, and spiritual direction. I was able to attendContinue reading “AN EIGHT DAY RETREAT // UN RETIRO DE OCHO DIAS”

LAURA ALAMEDA, LA CHICA MAS TRABAJADORA EN TODO EL MUNDO

by Brian Flagg I know of no one who would argue that. Laura has lived and worked here at Casa Maria for the last 9 years, with her mom Librada, her grandpa the 94 year old comedian Antonio, and her youngest daughter Yanseli, the tennis star from Pima College. She works fast. She works hard.Continue reading “LAURA ALAMEDA, LA CHICA MAS TRABAJADORA EN TODO EL MUNDO”

ACHIEVEMENT GAP WIDE BETWEEN WHITE AND MINORITY STUDENTS // BRECHA ANCHO ENTRE BLANCO Y ESTUDIANTES PERTENECIENTES A MINORÍAS

by Cesar Aguirre I guess it was no surprise to see this headline on the front page of Monday’s Star (7/13/2015). Read the story at: http://tucson.com/news/local/education/achievement-gap-wide-between-white-and-minority-students/article_8d13b21c-0671-56ee-a8e9-06f7cc8462f3.html I have been an outspoken advocate against standardized testing mainly for this reason, among many others, and it can get very frustrating knowing these facts and not being able toContinue reading “ACHIEVEMENT GAP WIDE BETWEEN WHITE AND MINORITY STUDENTS // BRECHA ANCHO ENTRE BLANCO Y ESTUDIANTES PERTENECIENTES A MINORÍAS”

POPE’S CHALLENGE TO THE RICH // EL PAPA NOS PIDE QUE PAREMOS LAS ACCIONES AUTODESTRUCTIVAS

by Brian Flagg An editorial from the most recent National Catholic Reporter (July 3-16, 2015) see: http://ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/editorial-encyclical-pope-francis-issues-challenge-rich EL PAPA NOS PIDE QUE PAREMOS LAS ACCIONES AUTODESTRUCTIVAS por Raul Grijalva Visita: http://tucson.com/laestrella/noticias/el-papa-nos-pide-parar-las-acciones-autodestructivas/article_05001b24-e40f-522c-baaa-6b9a07005410.html

WELCOME ALICIA NUÑEZ // BIENVENIDA ALICIA NUÑEZ

We at Casa Maria are excited that a long time friend and supporter Alicia Nuñez is now working and living at Casa Maria, in the duplex on 26th street next to the Cesar Aguirre family. by Alicia Nuñez Hi my name is Alicia Nuñez. I was born in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. I’ve lived in theContinue reading “WELCOME ALICIA NUÑEZ // BIENVENIDA ALICIA NUÑEZ”

Richard Rohr helping me down the spiritual path … A reflection on his book A Lever and a Place to Stand

by Brian Flagg A year ago I was in the midst of a 30 day silent retreat at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos, CA. This week Barbi Urias from Casa Maria is going to do an 8 day silent retreat there. One year later I’m still feeling like I’m on a path ofContinue reading “Richard Rohr helping me down the spiritual path … A reflection on his book A Lever and a Place to Stand”

PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC ON THE 4TH OF JULY! // ¡ORGULLOSO DE SER CATÓLICO EN EL 4 DE JULIO!

by Brian Flagg I’m gonna celebrate by attending the 5:30 mass at Santa Cruz. I’m gonna give thanks and praise that I’m part of a church who’s head guy, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, actually talks and acts like Jesus or one of the prophets! See the article in today’s Star at: http://tucson.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/heeding-francis-iowa-catholic-leaders-to-pressure-field/article_3c51f00f-e786-51f0-b21b-08a98bb8adeb.html Yesterday in Iowa,Continue reading “PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC ON THE 4TH OF JULY! // ¡ORGULLOSO DE SER CATÓLICO EN EL 4 DE JULIO!”

We, the Tucson Bus Riders Union, Won’t get fooled again!

by Brian Flagg In the middle of this recent attack on the transit budget orchestrated by the Mayor? the City Manager? and whomever else, I received an email from the renowned transit advocate Suzanne Schafer, entitled: “Where were we (and Karin Uhlich) on May 19?” It read: “That’s when the budget was presented and theContinue reading “We, the Tucson Bus Riders Union, Won’t get fooled again!”