Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez is a proud first-generation Mexican-American from the La Villita neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. She is a co-founder and Director of Training and Formation at the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Catholic and Christian-rooted community organizing coalition that advances community transformation through spirituality and grassroots organizing. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality from Fordham University, with a concentration in Spiritual Direction.
A writer, speaker, and formator, Joanna explores the intersections of spirituality, theology, organizing, and the historical Jesus. Her essays, reflections, and articles have appeared in a variety of Catholic and social justice publications, including Give Us This Day and the Center for Action and Contemplation. She has also served as a guest preacher with Catholic Women Preach. She is currently writing a series on the historical Jesus.
To dismiss the witness and leadership of women is to ignore the example Jesus gave us. To disregard the messenger is to disregard the One who sent her.VIEW
Heed your dreams, like Joseph did. Be a prophetic dreamer. Trust the vision God plants in you, and dare to act on it, with courage, tenderness, and fire.VIEW
Parables were meant to unsettle Jesus’ people and us today. So let’s reflect on our own birds, rocks and thorns that prevent us from rising up to this challenge - the pursuit of justice and equality in our communities.VIEW
