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An Interview with Isabel Conchos, BVM: |
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No one questions that Hispanics, now the largest U.S. minority, have impacted and influenced U.S. culture.1 Analysts offer two theories regarding the role of Hispanics in the U.S. today: 1) Hispanics are “rejecting the powerful forces of American cultural assimilation, which swallowed up the successive waves of European immigrants who preceded them”; or 2) Hispanics are “simply redefining the meaning of mainstream in an ever more diverse, multicultural United States of America.”2 Salt Magazine recently interviewed Isabel Conchos, BVM. Tell us about growing up in Phoenix. I am the oldest of six children—I have three brothers and two sisters. In our matriarchal society, the grandmother and mother nurture the foundation in our faith. These women’s relationship with God directs their pleas that God will embrace the child and protect his or her journey on earth. As children, we prayed together every evening, and this brought us such groundedness. Our language also evidences this spiritual approach. For example, one of the first pharses I learned as an infant was “Dios te bendiga” (God bless you!), which is impressed on every child as he or she awakes, goes out the door, and returns. My family tells me that I paved their way by being involved in all our cultural festivities, and, more especially, by asking the deeper questions related to our Catholic faith. I actually set up a little school and taught my younger brothers and sisters and the neighbor children. I questioned and probed to understand our faith. Give us some insights into the role of Hispanics today. First, let me say that in a discussion when someone asks: “Isabel, you as a Mexican-American, what do you think?” I am quick to respond, “NO! I’m Isabel! I speak for myself—you can’t categorize all Hispanic opinions into my thoughts!” Therefore, I believe my key role is in the education of the immigrant. Hispanics have retained our identity in the U.S. because of our strong family bonds, our spiritual approach, and our sense of community, which brings us unity. We have a one-world view—despite the fact that our values today are, in many ways, counter-cultural. What prepared you for the work you are now doing? My life experiences led me to see the injustices and sacrifices of the powerless. This influenced me to turn to academics to effect a change. I participated in an 18-month program in the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in San Antonio, and did an internship in Eagle Pass, Texas (1981). I received a Master’s degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Education at the University of Arizona. I then taught at St. Francis Xavier School where I met the late BVM Marie Molloy (Irenita). I have always been devoted to Ignatius Loyola and St. Theresa of Jesus (Avila), so, in preparation for my Final Vows, I spent two months in Manresa, Spain. Another major influence was making a Cursillo in 1979. I was then invited to work in the Cursillo movement, first as a team member, then as team Spiritual Director. I also became a Spiritual Director with the Renewal ministry, a variation of the Cursillo for women in prison. I worked on a team this past spring. How does the BVM congregation reflect your personal and cultural values? As Mary Frances Clarke worked with Irish immigrants, I also see my ministry to the disenfranchised. She is a prophet for our times; her voice still rings out with compassion for the voiceless. Mary Frances saw the need for community, just as we do in our Hispanic culture. And her conversation to me is to listen to the needs of my times as she listened to hers. I see my ministry as an integrated, one-world approach, totally integrated with the BVM charism, and yet totally Hispanic in its foundation. How has your ministry evolved? My journey is focused in two directions: Works of Mercy and Works of Justice. These two paths give me balance, and help me to have a clearer vision of my ministry. In Kankakee, Ill., my focus developed Hispanic leadership through Loyola University of Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS). My ministry is education—I feel most productive in teaching. I teach writing to students at Glendale Community College (GCC) in Phoenix. I work in the GCC writing center, and also work with AZ TEC (Arizona Teachers Excellence Program) mentoring student-teachers. Many students are angry with the bureaucracy and with the system. In my writing classes, I give students confidence to say what they have to say. I work from a goal-oriented approach and help young people be responsible for their destiny. I empower our people to see the power of the pen in contrast with the destructive power of the sword. Some students come with the so-called Malcolm X syndrome after having been told: “You are not going to amount to anything.” I strive to turn needy people into powerful persons by helping them to believe in themselves, by helping them to take a positive stand. This is where I feel my energy. This is where I make a difference! Are there new developments in your ministry? There are several new opportunities on the horizon; I was invited to join the Hispanic Teachers Council at GCC to empower our Hispanic teachers to enter the college system. This will result in better representation of the Hispanic population and will create role models. This fall I will also be teaching at the Kino Institute of Theology and Lay Ministry Formation at the Phoenix Diocese. In conclusion, regardless of theories, statistics, or cultural differences, I see the world as a host of opportunities with my BVM community. Endnotes
About the author: Mary Clare Sweeney, BVM (Clarita) is on the faculty at Arizona State University East, College of Technology. She can be reached at idmcs@asu.edu. Isabel Conchos can be contacted at isabel_conchos@yahoo.com. Return
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