Recently, three Houston area TMO leaders and organizers met with Pope Francis at the Vatican for an engaging conversation. Rabbi David Lyon of Congregation Beth Israel and Lead Organizer Elizabeth Valdez  (both sitting next to Pope Francis in photo above) along with Organizer Facundo Berretta Lauria represented TMO at this meeting. They were part of a delegation of 18 leaders from the West/Southwest IAF which is a regional network of broad-based organizations. TMO has been a part of this network  for over 40 years.

At bottom is a link to press spanning three continents and languages.  Directly below are excerpts from an article published in Jewish Herald-Voice.

[Excerpt]

As the only Jewish person in the room, Rabbi Lyon said he had a feeling he would be called on after the introductions.

“Sure enough, he did call on me, and I shared my vignette on how IAF has made me a more effective rabbi in interfaith and organizational work,” said Rabbi Lyon.

“I highlighted interfaith work in Houston with my good friend [Daniel] Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop [John D.] Ogletree and how TMO has given us ways to hear stories to make a difference and to express our gratitude with greater generosity....”

“I quoted the Mishna in saying, ‘It is not our obligation to do all the work, but neither are we free to desist from trying. The day is short, the work is long, and the L-rd is waiting....’”

“The pope’s eyes lit up and he called his aides into the room. He had written these encyclicals and other short essays, and he distributed to all of us a stack of books. Nobody expected it. I think he felt like I had offered a meaningful text, so he, too, wanted to share a meaningful text.”

Rabbi Lyon was impressed.

“I don’t read the pope’s words on a regular basis and I don’t subscribe to the Vatican news, but I couldn’t help but be moved after sitting in his presence. He showed us that a man of obvious power, authority and significance could be very humble and humorous. And like any good clergy, he was an excellent listener.”

[Photo Credit: Jewish Herald-Voice]

Houston Rabbi Travels to Rome for Meeting with Pope Francis, Jewish Herald-Voice [pdf]

Pope Meets with U.S. Leaders on Immigration After 'Grave Sin' Comments, Angelus News [pdf]

El Papa se Reúne con Líderes de EEUU para Hablar de Inmigración Tras Comentarios sobre el “Pecado Grave”, Angelus News [pdf]

Pope Francis Meets with Leaders of the US Organized Communities, Vatican News [pdf]

El Papa Recibió a los Líderes de Comunidades Organizadas de Estados Unidos, Vatican News [pdf]

A Way of Life Flavoured by Gospel, L'Osservatore Romano [pdf]

More Press in English

• Pope, U.S. Community Organizers Talk about Migration, Detroit Catholic
• Pope, U.S. Community Organizers Talk about Migration, New Outlook
• A Way of Life Flavored by the Gospel, L'Osservatore Romano
• Pope, U.S. Organzers Talk about Migration, Catholic Review
• Pope Encourages Catholic Community Organizers from U.S. to Act, Move Forward, Catholic Culture
• Pope, U.S. Organizers Talk about Migration, The Record
• Pope Francis Meets with Leaders of the U.S. Organized Communities, Herald Malaysia Online
• Pope Francis Meets with U.S. Organized Communities, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
• Pope Francis Meets with Leaders of the U.S. Organized Communities, Holy Spirit Catholic Church Onireke
• Pope Francis Meets with Leaders of the U.S. Organized Communities, Catholic Masses
• Pope Francis Meets with Leaders of the U.S. Organized Communities, Head Topics Malaysia

More Press in Spanish

• El Papa Recibió a los Líderes de Comunidades de Estados Unidos, Religión Digital
• El Papa Recibió a los Líderes de Comunidades de Estados Unidos, Europa Hoy
• Vaticano: El Papa Recibió a los Líderes de Comunidades de Estados Unidos, Aica
• El Papa Recibió a los Líderes de Comunidades de Estados Unidos, Radio Maria
• El Papa Recibió a los Líderes de Comunidades de Estados Unidos, Pira Política
• Comunidades Organizadas, Ética Social

More Press in Portuguese

• Papa se Reúne com Líderes das Comunidades Organizadas dos EUA, Notícias Cancaonova
• O Papa se Reúne com Líderes das Comunidades Organizadas dos Estados Unidos, Acervo Catolico