Jordan Ministry Team

A religious group that makes “house calls” across Tucson is celebrating 10 years of service in 2010! The Salvatorian religious order’s Jordan Ministry Team, named after its founder Francis Jordan, travels 7,000 miles a year delivering its faith-filled messages through song, dance, personal connections, faith formation and community celebrations. The team serves marginalized groups and struggling youth, college students, Native American residents and Hispanic communities across the Diocese of Tucson.

The Diocese of Tucson is the fifth largest diocese geographically in the nation, covering nine counties with an area of 42,707 square miles. “Tucson is large and so are the needs,” says S. Jane Eschweiler, SDS, who has been involved with the team for eight years, “That’s why we decided to go to people – where they live, study or gather. We serve wherever there is a need, reaching people of all ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.”

Stage performances led by “singing priest” Fr. Joe Rodrigues are among the most reported Jordan Team ministries. “They’ve affected people spiritually and emotionally,” says S.Jane. Fr. Joe, who leads the performances, has also recorded three albums that benefit Salvatorian ministries. His albums feature a variety of inspirational and faith-filled songs previously recorded by various artists.

The team offers both adult and youth faith formation and ministry training, with programs customized to meet the needs of parishes and vicariates throughout the entire Diocese of Tucson. S. Jane says they have now reached 80 percent of the diocesan parishes with training and retreats, missions and catechetical refreshers. “As a roving evangelization team, we are different, as most adult faith formation people host folks, but we go to their own locale,” she says.

Salvatorian founder Fr. Francis Jordan's dream was for lay and religious men and women to serve together as apostles. The Jordan Ministry Team is an example of this vision. “Not only is our team itself collaborative in its ministry, but our work has us collaborating with many people in the diocese,” said S. Jane.

In September, the team held an anniversary celebration which brought together new and former members and featured a large triptych (piece of artwork) illustrating the ministry’s history. On Nov. 19 they will hold a fundraiser at Skyline Country Club, with dinner, a concert by Fr. Joe, and a silent and live auction. The evening will also premier Fr. Joe’s new Christmas CD titled “Spirit of Christmas.”

The Jordan Ministry Team is made up of S. Jane Eschweiler, SDS (Salvatorian Sister), Fr. Don Loskot, SDS (Salvatorian Priest) and three lay women – Rebecca Piña-Cammarota, Peggy Guerrero and Betsy Shearer.

The Salvatorians are a religious community of priests, brothers, sisters and lay people who serve in parishes, schools, hospitals and in various ministries in 33 countries and on every continent (except Antarctica).