Saint Christopher Journeys LLC

Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Today, we remember the life of a great man. He inspired a movement, a nation, and the world. He is one of America's great orators. He transformed society by speaking the truth, and not by resorting to violence. I am proud that so many young people and educators have visited the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis through Saint Christopher Journeys.

OVER THE RAINBOW Saint Christopher Journeys has a new destination added. Would you like to visit a city where more than thirty languages are spoken in the high school, a city that sits on the former border with Mexico, a city with African and Asian markets, a city where the first Catholic Mass was celebrated in 1541? Is it Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Fe? Maybe Dallas or San Antonio? None of these--it’s Garden City, Kansas! Starting in the 1980s, the meat processing... industry began attracting new immigrants to the area, people coming from Southeast Asia, from Africa, and from Latin America. What has grown in this garden is a community that doesn’t tolerate diversityit celebrates diversity. Located not far from Dodge City and the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles, visitors will also enjoy the beauty and history of the Great Plains, and they will get up close with a bison herd. See more

BLACK LIVES MATTER I created Saint Christopher Journeys LLC to provide "educational travel focusing on justice through a Catholic lens." I have had the privilege of attending a grade school, a high school, and universities that were committed to justice, and that has helped to shape who I am. When I was a high school student, I participated in a march to call for a national holiday to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was invited to do so by my math teacher, Sr. Anne S...hepherd, OSB. When I was an undergraduate at KU (the original meaning of a "Jayhawk" was an anti-slavery fighter in the days of "Bleeding Kansas"), I was very involved in the Anti-Apartheid Movement. When I created the list of regular destinations for Saint Christopher Journeys, I included Uganda, Cuba, Memphis, and Ferguson MO to highlight the issues of injustice faced by Black people and to celebrate the cultures and faith traditions they have created. There have been many sad realities we have had to face in recent weeks. For me, one that has been especially sad is the demonstrations around the world. I believe that, at her best, the United States of America is an exceptional beacon to the world. It hurts when that light is overshadowed by evil. There are many good police officers, including my brother-in-law and my uncle-in-law (retired). Just as we in the Catholic Church have had to face the pain of knowing that some of our leaders have engaged in abuse of the body and also the abuse of power that is cover-up, we as citizens must face the pain of the abuse of the body and abuse of power by some police. Likewise, we need to examine the systems that allow this to continue. I remember back to the Rodney King beating when I was in my early twenties. At the time, video cameras had only recently become more common, and the tape demonstrated what had been going on far too often, but not recorded. Here we are, nearly thirty years later with everyone having a camera in their pockets, and a police officer slowly crushed the life out of a man while three fellow offcers stood by, and it was all recorded. How much longer do we have to wait for this to stop? We who are people of faith must raise our voices. Dr. Michael Maher See more

STAR STRUCK: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY IN LA The spring break journey led by Performing Arts Chair Greg Grobis was a truly unique experience of collaboration. UDM used its many connections in the entertainment industry to line up some amazing experiences for their students to be VERY hands-on in Hollywood. Saint Christopher Journeys took care of logistics and the mission component visting Jesuit projects and Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral. Over $1K was donated to charities in Los Angeles from the student fees.

Saint Christopher Journeys was incredible to work with in scheduling our March 2020 Performing Arts in Los Angeles journey. Dr. Maher's professional insight and support was outstanding. He was always available to help answer questions along the way, patient as we uniquely created the experience, and a joy to brainstorm solutions with. He worked closely with us to develop an experience at the crossroads of faith and justice and arts and education. I can't sing his praise...s enough. The trip was expertly planned. We encountered no travel interruptions, smooth transitions with transportation, and found our spiritual connection time each evening to unite the group. Saint Christopher Journeys was prepared for any and every possible situation. I felt like I was in good hands. I very much look forward to working with Dr. Maher at Saint Christopher Journeys again on our future journeys. Greg Grobis, Chair of the Performing Arts Department and Manager for The Theatre Company, University of Detroit Mercy See more