By Fr. Rudolph Juarez
Editor’s note: Father Rudy Juarez, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Iowa City and vicar of Hispanics for the Davenport Diocese, has written a column for Gamaliel, an international grassroots network of nonpartisan, faith-based organizations. This particular column focuses on The Fire of Faith campaign, which incorporates the three key elements of Gamaliel’s network: the congregations that fuel it, the economic factors that affect families’ ability to prosper and the democratic process that gives people power over their futures.
Fr. Juarez has been a part of Gamaliel for more than 20 years. He has an undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University of Texas and a master’s degree in divinity from Notre Dame University.
One thing about my experience with Gamaliel is that it has helped me sharpen my skills with organizing, how to work and address issues concerned with the community, as well as sharpening my organizational and leadership skills. This is important for pastoral leaders because life really is about organizing to move beyond and do greater things.
I have seen tremendous faith and commitment exhibited in folks that I work with through the Gamaliel network. It has challenged me from the standpoint of being a Roman Catholic priest, as we all see through the lens of Catholic faith and teaching.
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