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Living the Gospel is messy; let’s talk about it.

Here at Messy Jesus Business, a Catholic podcast and blog, we’re exploring the mess of radical discipleship and Gospel living. We experience Christian discipleship as a life of struggle as we advocate for social justice, live simply, serve others, practice contemplation and live in community.

Our ecumenical approach welcomes people of Christian faith traditions to be inspired, seek wholeness and reflect upon what it means to practice radical Gospel living.

Messy Jesus Business is founded and hosted by Sister Julia Walsh, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration.

Our community of followers and contributors have walked with us on the journey of radical discipleship for more than a decade now through our Catholic podcast and blog.

Want to learn more about Messy Jesus Business and radical discipleship? Check out our mission, and meet our foundress, writer and podcast host Sister Julia Walsh.

Kristina Ortega: Inclusion and Catholic Education Messy Jesus Business

Episode 63 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Email | RSS | More “Prayer has to push you to do something outside yourself.” -Kristina Ortega IN THIS EPISODE For the latest episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia is in conversation with Catholic educator and inclusivity advocate Kristina Ortega. Their conversation explores prayer and spirituality, advocacy, being women in the Catholic Church, and the value and neccessity of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in Catholic education. Kristina also talks about how her own Mexican heritage is essential to her own experience of being Catholic. Kristina admits that being a woman in the church is experience of joy but also can be frustrating. She sees this in the girls’ Catholic schools where there is a “stained-glass ceiling.” To counter this she teaches a theology that allows her students to say “I see myself.” When talking about doing DEI work at a Catholic School, Kristina makes connections to incarnational theology. As she says, to protect the image of God and honor the dignity of the human person, all people need to be honored for who they are and according to their culture, socio-economic status and gender identity. The church can do strenthen this part of its mission, Kristina says, by allowing more lay leadership. ABOUT THE GUEST Kristina Ortega was born and raised in Los Angeles and is the product of 18 years of Catholic school. She has a BA and an MA in Theological Studies from Loyola Marymount University and has taught in Catholic high schools since 2001. She is a Minister of Liturgical Movement in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and serves on two of the planning committees for the LA Religious Education Congress. Kristina is currently the Coordinator of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA. She has contributed a chapter to a book forthcoming in Summer 2023, "Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church." Outside of ministry, Kristina is a docent at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican-American art, culture, and history museum in LA. She and her family are members of Dolores Mission Parish in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Produced and edited by Colin Wambsgans. Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness LISTEN HERE:
  1. Kristina Ortega: Inclusion and Catholic Education
  2. Easter Contemplation: Setting Us Free
  3. Sister Christa Parra: Accompanying At the Border

Along with Catholic podcast host and Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Julia Walsh , our esteemed podcast guests explore a wide variety of themes within the scope of radical discipleship, including:

  • social justice
  • human rights
  • contemplation
  • ministry
  • community service
  • peacemaking
  • modern discipleship of Jesus

The Messy Jesus Business Blog

The Messy Jesus Business Blog also explores the struggle of radical discipleship.

On alternate weeks, the creative team for our Catholic blog offers works of creative nonfiction, poetry, and prayers related to the messiness of following Jesus in our modern world.

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If you’re wondering how you belong in the Christian Community, or what God wants you to do with your gifts and talents, check out our resources related to the question we all ask: “What should I do with my life?”  Our resources are helpful to women who are considering religious life, as well as lay people seeking wholeness.

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