Year Joined MKLM: 1982
Country: United States
City: Ossining, NY
Focus: Pastoral Ministry
Project(s): MKLM Director of Missions
People Served: 125 adult missioners and their families
Project Goal(s): Ensure effective MKLM ministries by coordinating and directing members and mission programs, as well as assisting in the overall setting of direction, planning, implementing and evaluating for the organization’s overseas operations. |  |
Personal Data
Alicia Escalera Butkiewicz was born in Potosi, Bolivia. She and her husband Bernie have three adult daughters, Ivanna, Maria Renee, and Lizzette, all born in Bolivia. Throughout Alicia’s life she has been extremely active in her Catholic faith, especially in service to the poor. With degrees in Education, Theology, Communications, and Anthropology, Alicia has served in many ministries in her native country of Bolivia. She worked as a high school teacher in a poor neighborhood in Santa Cruz and also taught Spanish at the Maryknoll Language School in Cochabamba.
Alicia became a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in 1982, joining efforts with her husband Bernie Butkiewicz, also a lay missioner. As a lay missioner Alicia focused much of her talents on the creation of faith-based communities and grass roots organizations with indigenous people in Bolivia and in leadership formation. She has played instrumental leadership roles within MKLM, such as representative to the Maryknoll Society Regional Council, Regional Coordinator for the Bolivian Region, and Area representative for Latin America. Current Ministry
In August 2001 Alicia was invited to be part of the three person Association Leadership Team (ALT), primarily working from Cochabamba, Bolivia. In May 2003 she was elected to a second term, requiring her to reside in Ossining, NY, where MKLM headquarters is located. The ALT oversees the activities of 125 lay missioners and diocesan priests serving in 16 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States. Between 2003 and 2006 Alicia, with the two other members of the ALT, oversaw strategic planning and financial management assessments for the organization. This led to instrumental changes to improve MKLM’s impact to serve the poor around the world. Currently Alicia serves as the Director of Missions for Maryknoll Lay Missioners. This position was established in May 2006 to enhance the efficacy of the ALT. In this role Alicia directs the ministries of all overseas lay missioners, working closely with regional coordinators around the globe. In addition she will ensure appropriate support and training for these coordinators to carry out MKLM’s mission, vision and direction. Alicia continues to play a vital role on the overall leadership team. |
