Latest news with #St.Mary'sUniversity
Axios
08-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Mijas and motherhood: How Latinas carry the weight of generations
In San Antonio, where Latino culture shapes much of daily life, many women are mothering in two directions — raising children while carrying the weight of aging parents. Why it matters: Multigenerational motherhood is a quiet force in many families, but the personal toll on matriarchs often goes unseen, even by the caregivers themselves. The big picture: While caregiving is a challenge for many, Latinas often face familismo, a family-first value that often turns caregiving into a generational obligation. We spoke with four women whose perspectives reveal how this kind of motherhood shows up not just in homes, but in our community. Heather Eichling, Youth Do Vote founder This local mother describes herself as part of the sandwich generation — raising young children while also caring for an aging parent. She's leading a busy nonprofit, parenting two kids, and supporting her mother after a recent stroke. "You just keep going, even when it's hard to get out of bed. It's mostly about endurance, but also finding community," she says. "I think we're afraid to talk about it, or we're embarrassed. But when we do, then you realize that is strength too — it's strength in your community." Julieta Hobbs, counselor Hobbs works with many Latina moms in San Antonio who are overwhelmed by emotional labor. She says they are shaped by cultural values like loyalty, sacrifice and respect, especially in multigenerational households, which are common here. "It can be great to have this built-in support system, but if you're ignoring what your needs are or not asking for help, it can become a struggle," she says. Belinda Román, economist Román, a St. Mary's University associate professor, researches the unpaid work of women. She estimates unpaid caregiving, which includes child care, cooking and elder care, could be worth $100,000 a year. "This is the dark matter, it's what's keeping the stars afloat. So this is where it all starts. And if women didn't do what they did, nobody could go out that door and do anything." Grace Bastidas, editor-in-chief of Bastidas has encountered many of these stories since launching Familia last year, a Parents initiative that explores caregiving in Latino families throughout the U.S. She says Latina moms are beginning to challenge old norms by setting boundaries and getting comfortable with asking for help. "Latinas are embracing self-care over self-sacrifice. Many of us grew up with mothers who prioritized everyone else's needs above their own, but today's Latina moms are saying 'no más.'" The bottom line: Multigenerational motherhood is a role many Latinas carry with love, but even the most devoted caregivers need space to rest, recharge and be supported, too. "Latina caregivers are so resilient and powerful," Hobbs says. "These are women that are high achieving and know how to get the job done. Sometimes people see this strength and forget that rest — whether it's emotional, mental or physical — is also a necessity."
Axios
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Your guide to Fiesta San Antonio 2025
Fiesta San Antonio starts Thursday, bringing 11 days of parties, music and culture to the city. Why it matters: Fiesta raises millions of dollars for local nonprofits and brings thousands of attendees to the core of the city. Between the lines: While Fiesta has evolved to celebrate cultures, food and all-around puro party vibes, it has a complicated history. But, Fiesta's expansive list of events gives people the freedom to celebrate and plan their itinerary in a way that reflects their values. How it works: Fiesta is a giant umbrella with more than 100 official events — free and ticketed. And there are plenty of themed, offshoot events happening at bars and restaurants. Basically, you'd be hard-pressed not to find someone with a flower crown and/or confetti in their hair for the foreseeable future. State of play: Fiesta Fiesta will kick off the fun 4-10pm Thursday at Travis Park. It's a free party with music, food and lots of medal trading. The weekend continues with a list of headline events. Oyster Bake is Friday and Saturday at St. Mary's University. Hours vary; tickets start at $30. A Taste of New Orleans starts Friday and lasts through Sunday at Sunken Garden Theater. Hours vary; tickets start at $22. Alamo Heights Night is 5:30-11:30pm Friday at the University of the Incarnate Word. Tickets start at $20. What to try: Fiesta is full of flavor. While A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), heralded as a hub for eats, doesn't start until Tuesday, vendors at each of this weekend's events will have Fiesta's iconic snacks for sale. Take it from Edmund Tijerina, longtime local food writer, who tells Axios oyster shots at Oyster Bake are a must. If you go: Keep an eye on the weather as storms could bring some rain Thursday to Fiesta Fiesta. What's next: NIOSA (Tuesday through Friday), Battle of Flowers Parade (Friday) and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (Saturday).
CBC
18-04-2025
- General
- CBC
Way of the Cross returns to traditional route in Calgary after COVID hiatus
Social Sharing Calgary Catholics are returning to their roots, in a sense, as the annual Way of the Cross procession route reverts to its pre-COVID glory on Friday. "It allows the faithful to be united at that special time with Christ as he walks towards the ultimate sign of his love, the giving of his life on the cross," Bishop William McGrattan told CBC News in a Thursday interview. Last year, the procession route started at St. Mary's University campus and ended at the Father Lacombe Care Centre in southeast Calgary. This year, the traditional route is restored, starting and ending at St. Mary's Cathedral on 18th Avenue S.W. This was the norm between 1983 and 2019. McGrattan said this time is very important to Catholics. "We are entering what we call our sacred triduum, the three days in which we celebrate. Holy Thursday, the institution of the gift of the eucharist. We celebrate Good Friday with the passion and the cross. And that leads us in the celebration of Easter, our belief and our witness of the resurrection of Christ," he said. The Way of the Cross, also referred to as Stations of the Cross or the Via Crucis, is an outdoor walk across 14 stations, which the diocese says commemorates Jesus Christ's last time on earth as a man. The church is expecting around 3,000 participants, including many from outside of the Catholic tradition. "In many ways, human suffering, which is part of Christ's passion, we see in various cultures and countries. When we make the way of the cross, we include all those people," the bishop said. "We pray for those who are disadvantaged, those who are living in poverty, those who are immigrants, those who have experienced political violence. So at each of the stations, we include many of our brothers and sisters who are experiencing those circumstances." It begins at St. Mary's Cathedral, 219 18th Ave. S.W., at 8:30 a.m.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Too aggressive? Too passive? Find out if you come from an 'ask' or a 'guess' family.
Too aggressive? Too passive? Find out if you come from an 'ask' or a 'guess' family. Show Caption Hide Caption Expert explains how the dating trend the orange peel theory works Dr. Ramani explains the thinking behind a viral dating trend that tests how much your partner cares about you. Did you grow up in an "ask" family or a "guess" family? An Australian podcast called Mamamia Out Loud recently posed the question on TikTok. In a guess family, that means "you don't really directly ask for anything ever," Jessie Stephens, host of the podcast, says in the video, like help with moving. You'd instead ask whether someone is busy over the weekend and sneak in a mention of what you need. In "ask families," you say what you need and it's on the other person involved to give a yes or no answer. No emotions involved. "The only time I would ever ask something of someone is if I was absolutely certain the answer was going to be yes," she adds. The video has nearly 350,000 views, and hundreds of commenters weighed in on the issue from multiple sides. "Guessing is just passive aggressive manipulation," one person wrote. Another added: "Am I the only the one who thinks the 'ask' method is way more pressure?? The person is put on the spot and has to respond directly? Instead of coming to it themselves if they want to." Like most communication concerns, no one is exactly right or wrong. Mental health experts say it's best for people to approach conversations with as much empathy as possible for another person, however they express themselves. "The best way to communicate is to first acknowledge that having different communication styles is perfectly normal and not a deal breaker," says Chase Cassine, licensed clinical social worker. It's 'a more intimate' ghosting: Online, people are complaining about 'avoidant discard' What to know if you're from a 'guess' family Our families affect us in ways we can't always see. Someone who asks for something directly versus someone who opts for a more sheepish approach marks a good example of the outcomes of one's upbringing. While not "formal psychological terms," "ask" and "guess families" are well-known in communication and pop psychology circles, says Luis Cornejo, licensed marriage and family therapist. "Guess" is often code for "people pleaser." "When you're using passive communication you tend to put your needs last, and the other person's first, even if it hurts you," says Regine Galanti, a clinical psychologist. "At an extreme, you can become a doormat in this mode." Expecting a direct answer when you don't directly ask for one will cause only more confusion. "Others might not perceive the request at all and instead of viewing the listener as uncaring, explains Maryanne Fisher, a psychology professor at St. Mary's University in Canada, "they might need to a be a bit more direct in their requests. Rejection of a request is not the same as personal rejection, a lesson that is hard to learn." Still, asking a direct question might feel a tad too blunt for someone used to beating around the proverbial bush. Try for a gray area. Instead of "Can you help me move," maybe try "Would you be open to helping me move?" "The key is self-awareness and small shifts," Cornejo says. Good question: Are you ruining your relationship without even realizing it? What to know if you're from an 'ask' family Those from "ask" families need to pay attention to how they're delivering said ask. Are you being aggressive or assertive? "While with aggressive communication, you prioritize your needs above all others, even if it means hurting or offending others, when you're being assertive, you're you balancing asking for what you need with the needs other people around you," Galanti says. "This style takes into account what other people might want or need while setting boundaries." Try giving someone an "out" when you ask them for something. "For example, 'I could really use help with planning this event for the committee we are both a part of, but I know you've just returned from a work trip and likely have a lot on your plate. If you have free time, can you help me out, even for just a few minutes?' This sort of reply also helps the listener provide assistance that is short in duration, rather than something that could take much longer and to which they'd want to decline," Fisher says. Overall, though, try and meet each other where you're at when you have different communication styles. "Embrace the differences and foster a safe space between partners where they can both actively listen to each other from a place of trust, empathy and vulnerability to build a solid foundation," Cassine says, "so that connection and communication with each other is resolved effectively when conflicts do arise.
