Recent Carroll College graduate Jenna Emerson has begun her year-long service in the diocesan mission in Guatemala. She arrived at the mission last week and began teaching at La Asuncion School on Tuesday.

Emerson, originally from Clover-dale, Ore., majored in biology and Spanish, with a minor in Latin American studies. She plans to attend medical school, and would like to eventually work in public health programs in the developing world.

“Last fall, while in town for Hazy Days, Father Hazelton came and spoke to a Latin American studies class which I was taking. I was absolutely enthralled with his statements regarding theology, psychology, the Church and his work in Guatemala. After class, I e-mailed him right away, expressing interest in volunteering at the mission. Luckily, things worked out, as a position was available. Since I was already planning on taking at least a year to do volunteer work before medical school, it was a perfect fit for me,” she said.

Mark Frei, diocesan Guatemala Mission director, said he was impressed with Emerson’s willingness to serve, as well as her prior experience.

“From previous travels and volunteer experiences, Jenna brings knowledge of Latin American culture, the (Spanish) language, and a desire for justice for all God’s people. I was very impressed with her conscious sensitivity to the needs of the poor and marginalized and her articulation of her own inner experiences of these realities,” he said.

Look for Jenna’s dispatches from the Guatemalan Mission in coming issues of The Montana Catholic.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 6, June 20, 2008.