Kathryn Hoomkwap Memorial
Author: Anna Halpine - Founder, World Youth Alliance | Date: 3/24/08
I met Kathryn at the UN in 2000. She was the delegate for the Holy See, and I was immediately struck by her presence, her liveliness, and her intelligence. Kathryn always had a sense of life about her that was vibrant; but along with this there was a gentleness that made it easy to relate to her and to experience her great and generous heart.
I was just starting the World Youth Alliance at that time and Kathryn became an immediate friend and supporter. Kathryn encouraged me in every way in those early years of the Alliance; we met in New York and Rome, and constantly talked together about the needs of the Alliance, the Church and the world in order to build a culture of life.
Kathryn encouraged me from the beginning to come to her beloved Africa and Nigeria and to work with the many young people there. In 2002 that dream was realized with my first trip to Africa and my first trip to Nigeria. I remember being hosted by Kathryn in
In early 2005 I returned to Africa and Kathryn joined our Board of Directors. Having her on the board these past few years has been a delight and a treasure. Not only have we had her wisdom and ideas close to the Alliance, but her support and direction to all of our staff – in particular our African staff – has been invaluable. Kathryn was always ready to help, advice, encourage and support the initiatives that were taking place in Africa and around the world. She always offered what she had – her friendships, her contacts, her ideas, and her time, - so that our projects could move forward as quickly and strongly as possible.
More than anything, I treasured Kathryn’s friendship. I will always remember the day that she said to me, “Anna, I will travel anywhere in the world for your wedding”. That day is still to come; but it was Kathryn’s gentle and clear way of telling me that beyond the projects we did together, she loved me and was my dear friend. I reciprocated that love and friendship; knowing always that I could count on her as any need or occasion arose.
I know that Kathryn will be with me on my wedding day; and before that, is with us ever more closely and ever more fully as we continue to work together to do God’s work here on earth. She was loved greatly during her life, and we continue to love her and miss her now that she is reunited with God forever. There is no question that Kathryn has gone to her final home; but I am also sure that she remains with us, helping us, encouraging us, and working still to bring the truth and joy of Christ to each of us and to the whole world.
POVERTY AND THE FAMILY IN THE THIRD WORLD
The family remains the basic unit of society in the world today. In its modern meaning, the family is that social unit comprising a man, his wife and their children. In most sub-Saharan African countries, the extended family, which is a more inclusive definition of the family, includes uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents and other distant relations. This paper has deliberately chosen to make the family its center-piece for a number of reasons.
Excerpt from: A/S-23/1 8
The Holy See delegation has participated actively in the negotiations leading to this special session of the General Assembly, a session which has raised issues of critical importance to the lives of millions of women worldwide, and which has been evaluating the progress that has been made since the Fourth World Conference on Women.
