Joan and Maria, who count over 50 years together in a committed relationship, recount their journey of faith as members of the Xavier community since the early 1990s with Tess, a younger, more recent Xavier parishioner. Together they talk about the value of being integrated into the wider fabric and community of the faithful as a lesbian couple, and worshiping and expressing their faith side by side with other seekers of Christ's peace. "This is what makes Xavier very great."

To access a transcript of this episode, or to learn more about the Church of St. Francis Xavier visit:

https://sfxavier.org/from-age-to-age-an-oral-history-podcast/episode-5-joan-maria-tess/

This episode was recorded and edited by Cynthia Bastidas of Semillita Productions. Photography by Donald Kennedy of Donald Kennedy Photography. Podcast introduction song is “Here I Am, Lord (I Come To Do Your Will),” music composed by Michael Ward and performed by the Music Ministry of the Church of St. Francis Xavier. All copyrighted music reproduced with permission of OneLicense copyright A-700530, rights reserved; music reprint license number 944. A special thanks to the staff of St. Francis Xavier and Father Ken Boller, SJ.