Come on a spiritual journey with Mary Jane Fox and special guests from the Maryknoll Lay Missioners as they explore the powerful impact of faith-driven service. Discover how this Catholic ministry serves marginalized communities worldwide, focusing on social justice, development, and spiritual needs.
During our journey, you will:
- Gain insight into Maryknoll Lay Missioners and their mission
- Hear about significant experiences that deepened the faith of these missionaries
- Gain valuable advice about how to make a difference and spread hope.
Want to learn more about this Catholic mission-sending community? Click here to visit their official website.
Featured image and logo courtesy of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners. All rights reserved.
Do you like what you hear? Become a Missionary of Hope by sponsoring a week of Journeys of Hope, click here to get started.
Guest Information
Daniel Lizárraga is Manager of Mission Support for Maryknoll Lay Missioners where he oversees recruitment and training of lay missioners. Daniel's career has provided for him to serve in a variety of ways including having been the Executive Director of the Secretariat for the Church in Latin America at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Southwest Regional Director for Catholic Relief Services (where he co-lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Deacon Tom and Mary Jane). He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and has graduate degrees from UT Austin and the Washington Theological Union. Interested in becoming a missioner? Click here to contact Daniel.
Elizabeth (Betty) and James Keller. Elizabeth Keller grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, as the oldest of six children in a devout Catholic family. At 15, inspired by a catechism film about the martyrdom of Blessed Padre Pro, she felt a profound call to missionary work, which shaped her path. Betty became a family nurse practitioner and joined the Peace Corps, where she met James Keller in Choluteca, Honduras. James, a San Antonio native, explored a possible priestly vocation at St. Anthony Junior Seminary and later served in the Peace Corps after graduating from Creighton University. The two married in 1980, united by their shared commitment to serving others.
In 1989, they joined the Maryknoll Lay Missioners and, with their young daughter, moved to Oaxaca, Mexico. There, Betty ran a free clinic and organized parish retreats, while James supported prayer groups and promoted rural development projects. During their seven years in Oaxaca, they welcomed two sons into their family.
Returning to San Antonio in 1996, the Kellers resumed their active roles at St. Luke Catholic Church, serving as Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Betty now operates a small mental health clinic providing low-cost care, and James contributes to parish ministries. Together, they cherish time with their four grandchildren while continuing to live their faith through service and community engagement. To hear more of James & Betty Keller’s story; click here to contact them.
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Jewel for the Journey
“Go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel” - Pope Francis (The Joy of the Gospel, Evangelii Gaudium, #20)
