Friar Charles McCarthy serves the Laguna and Acoma Pueblos at the Pueblo of Acoma’s San Esteban Parish, established in 1629, and the Laguna Pueblo’s St. Joseph Parish, established in 1699. His ministry is featured in the November 2022 St. Anthony Messenger in an article Sacred Places, Sacred People: Franciscans and Native Americans written by Friar Greg Friedman OFM.
When asked ‘how do we overcome perceptions,’ Friar Charles talked about how he is not a Native person and is therefore ‘outside the loop.’ He has to figure out how to appreciate and respect the people ‘in the loop’ – to honor their voice, to encourage their voice to be heard, and to call the voice forward: “Who and how are you?”
Learning to listen and honor traditions is core to entering the context of the lives of people to learn how to be present and to accompany.
Read the article at franciscanmedia.org.
