Letter From the Chair – Autumn 2025
Letter From the Chair – Autumn 2025
by Joe Curro, Board Chair, American Pilgrims on the Camino
Dear Pilgrims,
It was wonderful to see so many of you in Indiana at the St. James Celebration titled “Journeys of the Heart.” The event was a moving manifestation of this quarter’s La Concha theme “Connection & Reflection.”
Celebration organizers, led by former board member Tom Labuzienski, sought to incorporate some of the reflective and contemplative practices of iconic stops along the Camino, such as the Hospital de Peregrinos San Juan Bautista in Grañon. Nightly mindfulness circles featured the passing of a candle and deep sharing between pilgrims. Heightened emotions and not a few tears accompanied these sessions. Meditative walks, including one recalling the way to the Cruz de Ferro, a labyrinth, morning yoga classes, and a St. James Day Mass at the University of Notre Dame basilica added poignant spiritual dimensions to the weekend.
Attendees had plenty of opportunities for fun and connection. Pilgrims reveled in the opportunity to share one another’s company, to sing along with the Merry Band of Pilgrims, to dance flamenco together, to play with an array of percussion instruments, and to make cards and credentials. Spanish flavors served up by the St. Mary’s College dining services staff made mealtimes all the more special, and attendees participated in a tasting of Spanish wines.
The St. James Celebration offered many opportunities for learning from authors, filmmakers, and other professionals. Pilgrims performed community service, and 10 pilgrims preparing for their first Camino received scallop shells and the encouragement of nearly 120 veterans of the Way.
When I attended this celebration four years ago, it was my first major American Pilgrims event. It was also my first time meeting many of the people I saw again this year, and it confirmed for me that I wanted to be more involved with this organization.
We are fundamentally volunteer-led and volunteer-run, with the exception of some contracted professional services. The board has set volunteer recruitment, development, and retention as key priorities. If you are already volunteering for our pilgrim community, thank you. If you are considering it, perhaps this is the year! Explore our volunteer opportunities.
Like so much that we do, the St. James Celebration demonstrated the power of volunteers to bring the Camino spirit home to our shores. As Rebekah Scott reminded us in her remarks at this year’s Gathering, “The Camino is us.”
¡Buen Camino!
Joe
Board Report – July 2025
Prepared by Rachel Ganzon, Secretary, American Pilgrims on the Camino Board of Directors
The American Pilgrims on the Camino Board of Directors met July 27-28, 2025, at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, following the St. James Celebration. In usual tradition, the board started the meeting by reciting the eight Pilgrim Principles—humility, simplicity, flexibility, responsibility, collaboration, candor, hospitality, and gratitude—by which the board operates, and engaging in a team-building activity.
The board then turned to standing agenda items, such as review of the policy manual and the discussion of board goals. The Governance Committee reviewed committee charters and asked that committees review and update as needed. Significant discussion focused on volunteer management. As an all-volunteer organization, addressing organization needs and recruiting and maintaining volunteers is a focus. Consideration of these needs will be a priority as the organization grows.
Next, the board reviewed the 2025 Gathering, and Gathering co-chair Martin Peña provided feedback and evaluation results of the event. Updates on the 2026 and 2027 Gatherings were given as well. The 2026 Gathering will be held April 9-12, 2026 at Mo-Ranch in Hunt, TX, returning to the 2024 Gathering site. The 2027 Gathering location is still being determined.
Luis Gussoni gave an update on the University of Santiago courses offered to American Pilgrims members this September. The two sessions filled quickly, and the board will evaluate the success of the classes for possible opportunities in 2026.
After rigorous evaluation of the service levels provided by a contracted vendor, the board approved the selection of new accounting, fulfillment, and mail service vendors and will be moving forward to make these changes in coming months.
A request to raise the grant amount for the Michael Wyatt Hospitalero Service Grant from $500 to $1000 was approved.
The board also reviewed plans for board members to engage in a series of workshops and collaborative sessions with fellow Camino association representatives in Santiago in September, to understand and tackle current and future Camino issues and needs. Objectives include strengthening the relationships with Spanish federations and associations and learning about their strategic goals, as we prepare for the continued growth of interest in the Camino de Santiago. Also planned is engagement with a number of American Pilgrims grant recipients and representatives of the Pilgrims Office, Cathedral, Galician government, Guardia Civil, University of Santiago, and others. Summit focus areas include collaboration on solutions and opportunities for current and short-term needs and potential long-term agreements relating to volunteer, educational, and cultural exchange opportunities for American Pilgrims members.
The next quarterly board meeting will be held virtually October 25-26, 2025.
