My Journey in Faith

Ruth Saucedo Campos is a retired, award-winning school teacher from Kansas City, Kansas. As one of three U.S.-born daughters of Mexican immigrants, she endured the Jim Crow era during the 1930s and 1940s and struggled to find her way in a greater society that did not care. Only after accepting her father’s advice ("Put the Church first always!") did she begin her journey toward self-discovery—and recognize her mystical connection to God. Traveling to Lima, Peru as a Papal volunteer in 1960, she discovered her true place—in the classroom. As a missionary, she gave aid to the poorest of the poor and fell in love with teaching. Through the years she would travel to Mexico and Spain as well, growing to deeply appreciate her Hispanic roots and people of all cultures. Once back home, Ruth finished her education and accepted a job as a high school Spanish teacher in her childhood barrio. She taught for many years, earning numerous accolades for the exceptional ways she gave of herself. Outside the classroom she gave time and energy to local charities and independently led cultural exchange groups to Mexico. Upon her retirement from Sumner Academy, she was not quite finished teaching. She spent the next ten years doing the same as she had done when she first began—by teaching catechism classes in her local parish. In this remarkable and inspiring memoir, Ruth's undying faith and spirit come shining through for all to appreciate.