Memory and Honor is a theological reflection on the American experience of the people of Korean descent. It is a reflection on the heritage of rupture, displacement, and resettlement as the key to identity and hope for those continuing to live in between the cultures, languages, and belief systems of Korea and the United States. This book gives voice to the first generation of immigrants and their children. Since the majority of Korean immigrants are Protestants, the first- and second-generation Catholic community is a minority of minorities, an ethnic minority as well as a religious minority. Thus, as a minority group and as a minority of minorities, Korean American Catholics may have more to contribute to church and society since this country was founded, developed, and maintained by immigrants such as these. Readers will come away with a deeper appreciation of the Korean immigrant contribution and more readily see the Korean American Catholic community as an authentic expression of church. Simon Kim is assistant professor of theology at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, LA. He earned a Ph.D. in theology from The Catholic University of America in 2011, specializing in theology in cross-cultural contexts. He works extensively with Korean American communities and offers conferences, workshops, and retreats across the country on Korean American pastoral ministry.

How did a culturally diverse world church emerge in our local neighborhoods and backyards? Rather than an accidental coincidence, diversity in our country, neighborhoods and pews was intentionally brought about through the Spirit's prompting of historical events. The jubilee of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) reminded us how the Catholic Church opened her doors to the world, while the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 revealed how the U.S. opened her shores to migrants around the world. Through both ecclesial and legislative reforms, the U.S. became home to many ethnically diverse people and allowed for the creation of a worship space incorporating their cultural backgrounds.

The theological reflections of Virgilio Elizondo and Gustavo Gutierrez are examples of the ecclesial fruitfulness of the second half of the twentieth century. Following the directives of Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, Elizondo and Gutierrez present the Gospel message in relevant terms to their own people by engaging the world as the Church of the poor. Inspired by this moment in Church history, while at the same time recognizing the plight of their people in their poor and marginal existence, Elizondo and Gutierrez discovered a new way of doing theology by asking a specific set of questions based on their local context. By investigating where God is present in the border crossers of the southwestern United States and the poorest of the poor in Latin America, both theologians have uncovered a hermeneutical lens in rereading Scripture and deepening our understanding of ecclesial tradition. Elizondo's mestizaje and Gutierrez's preferential option for the poor arose out of a theology of context, a theological method that takes seriously the contextual circumstances of their locale. By utilizing the common loci theologici of Scripture and tradition in conjunction with context and their own experience, Elizondo and Gutierrez illustrate through their theologies how every group must embrace their own unique theological reflection.

Keeping in mind that interracial and interethnic marriages have increased steadily for the past forty years, this book offers guiding principles for dealing pastorally with the challenge of making sacramental unions culturally and generationally relevant for today's church.

Migration and migrants are part of our nightly newscasts and national conversation. Now, come face-to-face with the migrant Jesus in El Vía Crucis, The Migrant's Way of the Cross, and better understand the complex and perilous journey of all migrants. Several stations were written by leading theologians and immigrants' advocates and others were composed by migrants who speak of the unspeakable: crimes committed against them, desperation, impossible choices, as well as the blessings of work and longings for family. By understanding how the poor and marginalized imitate Jesus, the Stations of the Cross come alive and help you deepen your love and concern for migrants.

In many ways the theological reflections of Virgilio Elizondo and Gustavo Gutiérrez have been examples of the ecclesial fruitfulness of the second half of the twentieth century. Following the directives of Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, Elizondo and Gutiérrez have presented the Gospel message in relevant terms to their own people by engaging the world as the Church of the poor. Inspired by this moment in Church history, while at the same time recognizing the plight of their people in their poor and marginal existence, Elizondo and Gutiérrez discovered a new way of doing theology by asking a specific set of questions based on their local context. By investigating where God is present in the border-crossers of Southwestern United States and the poorest of the poor in Latin America, both theologians have uncovered a hermeneutical lens in re-reading scripture and deepening our understanding of ecclesial tradition. Their particular investigations have, in turn, benefitted the universal Church and overall society by prophetically reminding us of God's intent, the mestizo future of humanity through our encounters and the preferential option for the poor. Elizondo's mestizaje and Gutiérrez's preferential option for the poor arose out of a theology of context, a theological method that takes seriously the contextual circumstances of their locale. By utilizing the common loci theologici of scripture and tradition in conjunction with context, their own experience, Elizondo and Gutiérrez illustrate through their unique theologies how every group must embrace their own unique theological reflection. Examining their theological method and relating them to other situations such as my own has been the impetus for this dissertation. Through the monumental efforts of Virgilio Elizondo and Gustavo Gutiérrez, we are able to reflect in a similar theological manner locating the blessings of different worlds coming together in a mestizo manner while at the same time locating the poor and entering into solidarity with them to enjoy true communion with God and God's own. The moment we are able to accomplish this particular, yet universal task, the Kingdom is truly ours.