Universal Voices is back with an all new mini-series. This season we explore how different folks within the Universal Church are experiencing community within the Body of Christ. In this episode, Alissa welcomes Karina Breceda. Alissa and Karina discuss Fr. Rick Thomas whose case for canonization was recently opened. Fr. Rick was a central figure in Karina's life and she credits him for leading her to the work with migrants that she now does. The two chat about the rich community Fr. Thomas shepherded and how his model of prayer, joy, obedience, and service left a lasting impression. In this episode you'll also hear the two talk about:

• The blessing of place.
• The multiplication of Christmas Dinner.
• The miracle of a dump that becomes a "city on a hill."
• Being crazy for Jesus.
• The only thing that makes sense.
• Fr. Thomas' prophetic witness in creating a youth center.
• Being the 2025 version of the work of the Gospel.
• Being one day saints like Father Thomas.

The video we reference (in which Father Thomas is interviewed about Christmas Dinner can be found here or by searching "The Glory of God" - Juarez Full Length on Youtube.

Karina Breceda is a Fronteriza activist and cross-border advocate focusing on pro-life migrant work. She is Co-Founder and Director of Stela and Casa Maris, shelters located on both sides of the US/MX international border serving pregnant women and children seeking refuge.

Nuestro presentador, Juan Carlos Hernández, regresa esta séptima temporada con más entrevistas en español.

Emmanuel Simental, abogado de profesión y nacido en el seno de una familia católica que le inculcó la fe y su amor por la Iglesia llevándolo a servir en diversos ministerios como monaguillo, catequista y coordinador, además de fomentar su formación en círculos de apologética y doctrina social y diplomados en diversas materias como Sagradas Escrituras, Música Sagrada y Derecho Canónico. Su vida de fe, la espiritualidad ignaciana y la búsqueda de una vida más saludable lo llevaron a fundar dos proyectos: Biciclub Católico, un grupo ciclista con enfoque espiritual, y Bici sin Fronteras, una iniciativa solidaria que dona bicicletas a quienes más las necesitan.

Encuéntralo en Instagram @biciclub.catolico.

Growing a Catholic Community on Wheels

Our host, Juan Carlos Hernández, returns this seventh season with more interviews in Spanish.

Emmanuel Simental, a lawyer by profession, was born into a Catholic family that instilled in him a faith and love for the Church, leading him to serve in various ministries as an altar boy, catechist, and coordinator, as well as encouraging his formation in circles of apologetics and social doctrine and diplomas in various subjects such as Sacred Scriptures, Sacred Music, and Canon Law. His life of faith, Ignatian spirituality, and search for a healthier lifestyle led him to found two projects: Biciclub Católico, a cycling group with a spiritual focus, and Bici sin Fronteras, a charitable initiative that donates bicycles to those who need them most.

Find him on Instagram @biciclub.catolico.

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Universal Voices is back with an all new mini-series. This season we explore how different folks within the Universal Church are experiencing community within the Body of Christ. In this episode, Alissa welcomes Jessica Mendoza. Alissa and Jessica discuss, "Partners in the Gospel," currently taking place in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The two talk about:

• Why Partners in the Gospel came about and the hope behind it.
• The power of being intentional and careful with important things.
• The power of listening and responding.
• Practicing not bringing "serial consumerism" into parish life.
• Working together as the Body.
• Allowing ourselves to grieve loss or change.
• Bringing a lion's share of fraternal care to the table.

Jessica Mendoza was born and raised in the Seattle area but counts her roots in Michoacán México. Her works as a pediatric and neonatal physical therapist, and is also active in her parish, volunteering in high school youth ministry, parish leadership, and working alongside their companion parish in Guatemala. She also helps chair her Archdiocesan Disability Inclusion Ministry, so that people of all abilities are able to participate fully in the life of the Church. In her spare time Jessica loves reading, hiking around the beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery, and playing the flute in a community Wind Symphony.