¡Hola! from the Rev. Yuri Rodriguez
¡Hola! St. Paul’s Indy!
My name is Yuriria (Yuri) Rodriguez. I was born in the beautiful city of San José, in a small but beautiful country named Costa Rica – a country that exists in the narrowest land of Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama. I come from a family of farmers. My dad is part of the first generation of my family who went to college, and he is a forestry engineer. My dad worked as Secretary of Environmental Affairs during both Oscar Arias Administrations, an experience that rooted my family in practices of peace and care for the environment. He studied in Mexico, in the National Agricultural University (CHAPINGO), where he met my mom, they fell in love and then he took her to live in Costa Rica. From my mother’s side, I come from a long line of women who have migrated following their dreams – or trying to survive –sometimes both at the same time. As a result, I have an inherited a passion for life, hope, faith, music, and sharing Mexican food.
If there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I am very thankful for this call to be part of St. Paul’s Indy this summer. Coming from a small church, I can see already how my experience working at a parish such as Nativity, Indianapolis, will bring something positive at St. Paul’s. At the same time, I can see how being with all of you at a large parish will round my formation as a priest.
I come to St. Paul’s with my two children, Belen – who is 12, and Mercedes – who is 17. Both attended school in Fishers. The fourth member of our family is Florence, our 5 year old, 90 lb. lab mix, who thinks she is a “chihuahua.”
While I am present with all of you at St. Paul’s, I will continue supporting our Latino community in Indianapolis. I have become sort of a chaplain for Latinas who are looking for a different perspective in spirituality and life. I also work closely to support non-profit organizations led by wonderful women – Latinas who are leading the way in providing and promoting the well-being of other Spanish speaking women (our neighbors) and their families. Some of those organizations are:
“Mujeres Conectadas” (Connected Women) – this is a non-profit organization that provides workshops for financial health, mental and spiritual health, physical and emotional well-being, imparted by Latina professionals in the fields of social working, psychology, science, and finances. click here to learn more.
“Tu Refugio Seguro” (Your Safe Refuge) – this is a non-profit organization that functions as faith-based shelter for victims of domestic violence in the Indianapolis area. click here to earn more
Also, while I am with you, I will be finishing up the capstone project of a two-year program called the Trinity Wallstreet Leadership Fellows. Through this program, I received training in faith-based leadership, through Trinity Wallstreet Parish, an experience that allowed me to bring together my passion for music and for Latinas in Indianapolis. Very soon, I will be sharing with all of you the results of this project named Caminemos con Maria (Let us walk with Mary) – a project to celebrate the lives and stories of Latinas in our communities and our communities of faith.
If at any time you would like to come have a conversation, my office, heart and ears are available to you Sunday through Thursday. I am available for meetings and conversations from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Please click here to email me or call me at 463.800.3071.
Looking forward to worshiping together next on Sunday, June 29.
The Rev. Yuri Rodriguez, Interim Associate Rector
