Fighting for the Forgotten: Sr. Mary Kay Meagher’s Mission of Solidarity in Omaha and Huehuetenango

In 1998, two women, heeding the call to dedicate their lives as vowed religious women in the Catholic Church, laid the foundation for what would become the Disciples of the Good Shepherd (Discipulos del Buen Pastor) in the Diocese of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Under the guidance and encouragement of Bishop Bobadilla, this congregation emerged with a mission to serve the poor, focusing on the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Their symbol embodies Jesus as the Good Shepherd, caring for the most vulnerable.

At the same time, in Omaha, Nebraska, a small group under the leadership of Father Damien Zuerlein sought to answer Pope John Paul II’s call for dioceses in developed nations to form relationships in solidarity with those in the developing world. Fr. Damien connected with Sergio Sosa, a former seminarian from the Diocese of Huehuetenango, to explore the possibility of fostering a relationship between the Omaha and Huehuetenango dioceses. Conversations with Bishop Rudolfo Bobadilla led to an invitation for Omaha representatives to visit Huehuetenango, laying the foundation for a partnership rooted in faith and mutual support.

From these efforts, Ixim: Spirit of Solidarity was born in 2002. Named after the Mayan word for corn—one of the few words common across Guatemala’s 22 indigenous languages—this archdiocesan ministry symbolizes the deep connection between Nebraska, the Cornhusker State, and Guatemala, where corn is a staple of life. Ixim cultivates relationships of friendship, faith, and solidarity between the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Huehuetenango through annual mission trips and ongoing projects that improve access to clean water, education, healthcare, and spiritual formation.

Central to Ixim’s mission are the Disciples of the Good Shepherd, a community of Sisters who undergo years of formation to dedicate their lives to serving the people of Huehuetenango. Recognizing the need for education to enhance their ministry, Ixim extended financial support to further their training, fostering a partnership that goes beyond material aid to build lasting spiritual and personal connections. Omaha supporters contribute not only through financial assistance but also through virtual relationships, engaging with the Sisters via Zoom, email, and other means.

One such supporter is Sr. Mary Kay Meagher of the Notre Dame Sisters, who first learned about Ixim in 2003 and felt an immediate calling. With a background in nursing and a lifelong dedication to serving the poor, Sr. Mary Kay had ministered in hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions across the United States and in countries such as the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Nigeria, and a Khmer refugee camp on the Cambodian-Thailand border. Each experience deepened her faith and reinforced her commitment to social justice, yet she longed for a ministry that fully embraced the concept of solidarity.

In 2002, she attended a presentation by Bishop Bobadilla at St. Columbkille, where he spoke about the Omaha-Guatemala partnership. She immediately knew this was where she belonged. Since her first trip in 2006, Sr. Mary Kay has returned over a dozen times, utilizing her healthcare expertise to provide clinical services while serving on Ixim’s leadership board. She actively recruits new participants and facilitates monthly pre-trip orientation meetings, ensuring that those who embark on this journey do so with an understanding of the mission’s depth and purpose.

Unlike many short-term mission trips structured around charity, Ixim stands apart by emphasizing solidarity—a concept that resonates deeply with Sr. Mary Kay. While she had participated in Catholic-led ministries before, such as with Creighton in the Dominican Republic and with Catholic Relief Services in Thailand, Ixim offered something different: the opportunity to serve within the framework of the Catholic Church while building lasting, reciprocal relationships. Solidarity is not about giving to the poor but about walking with them, learning from them, and growing together in faith and service.

Through the tireless work of the Disciples of the Good Shepherd, the Omaha missionaries, and countless supporters, Ixim continues to fight for the forgotten. Whether through providing clean water, enhancing education, or empowering women religious, this partnership embodies the true spirit of solidarity—one that transforms lives on both sides of the relationship. The journey is ongoing, and each person involved becomes a thread in the fabric of a shared mission, bound together by faith, love, and an unwavering commitment to those in need.