Archive for April 2013

John Claassen is a long-time resident of California and is the new chair of Gamaliel affiliate, Genesis. He had a wonderful five years as a teenager attending Ryan Prep College, the Diocese of Fresno minor seminary staffed by ten great Jesuit priests. John felt it was here that he was able to live the vision of…

Kent Ferris is a native of Blair, Nebraska and currently resides in Davenport, Iowa with his family. Kent graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and from Mankato State University, Mankato, Minnesota, with a master’s degree in counseling and student personnel. Kent is currently the social action director for…

Ev Howe is a powerful Catholic leader within Gamaliel affiliate,  ABLE, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Ev is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and is the chairperson for ABLE’s immigration campaign.  He is also a member of Georgia Detention Watch.  Ev is a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Atlanta (and president of…

Irene Boyd is a former community organizer that has had a sense of social justice since she was a child.  Irene’s father is from Northern Ireland and Irene heard stories from a very young age aboutdiscrimination against Catholics.  Irene grew up with an understanding of the worth and dignity of everyone regardless of race or ethnic group.  Irene…

Jesusa Rivera is a member of Gamaliel affiliate, TAP, in Indiana.  TAP engages five churches, four of which are in South Bend. Jesusa is also the chair of TAP’s, Civil Rights for Immigrants (CRI), that seeks comprehensive immigration reform that will serve justice for all states, not just Indiana.  Additionally, Jesusa is the current Indiana Hispanic/Latino…