Three Federation novices and four Sisters of St. Joseph embark on a life-changing journey
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| FROM LEFT: Sisters Kristine Fernandez, Judy Stephens, Jean McKinney, Mary Alice Collar, Betty Suther, Ann Ashwood and Christina Brodie drove from Concordia, Kansas to El Paso, Texas to learn about life, ministries, and charities along the border. |
This
April, four Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia and three Federation novices
left Concordia to go to El Paso, Texas, to visit our house at Grandview and
experience the border and immigration issues first hand. We asked them to tell
us how that trip impacted their views. You can find the novices’ stories on
this page.
The Border Experience is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia as a part of their commitment to Gospel living and nonviolence, which includes standing in solidarity with undocumented immigrants.
Participants stayed at the Sisters’ Grandview Convent in El Paso, Texas. Sisters Missy Ljungdahl and Donna Otter live there and help organize the experience while in El Paso. Sisters Christina Brodie, Judy Stephens, Ann Ashwood and Betty Suther staffed the experience.
The trip offers a wide variety of experiences, depending on each visit. On this current expedition, participants spent time with Father Peter Hindes, 95, a Carmelite, and Sister Betty Campbell RSM in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Both have ministered extensively south of the border and were able to share their insights on immigration, poverty and injustice in the area.
The novices and Sisters also were able to speak with Sister Rita, a Sister of the Holy Spirit in San Antonio, who taught them about the Catalina Sewing Cooperative in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico. The co-op has been around for 29 years and helps the local women have a ‘micro business’ to support their kids.
Catalina also has a school to help the children
with homework and has received 20 computers to help the children with computer
skills.
The program has evolved over many years and is ministered through some Dominican and Adrian Dominicans, Franciscan Sisters among many others.
This is a wonderful ministry which helps the women become independent in taking care of their families.
Other stops included both religion-based and secular organizations that provide relief, legal advice, housing and other services on the border.
The Sisters of St. Joseph have been offering some sort of Border Experience since 1996.
Novices' Experience
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| Jean McKinney (Boston) |
For my reflection on our border experience I will reflect on EL PASO.
EASTER: What an appropriate day to start! Throughout the trip there were many Easter moments.
LAND: The Land where you
stand makes a difference in how you live your life: long lines every day! You
must face the unknown to go to work or visit family or friends. These simple
tasks could take minutes or hours depending on what is happening at the border
crossing into the USA.
POVERTY: Poverty exists on both
sides of the border; in Colonias, people live on land where they have no
utilities and no access to water. But as poor as they are, the people there
have PRIDE in their homes. And in the little space they have, they have
carved out space for PRAYER to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
ABUNDANCE: What amazed me was
the abundance of love all around, shown by all who serve and all being served!
Although I could not understand what was being said, I could feel the love.
SADNESS: Seeing all the suffering
that people must live with every day, and recognizing the sinfulness of
the United States in sealing the borders — this sadness has moved me deeply! I
will, however, SAVOR every moment spent at the border.
OPENNESS: The beauty of the open
country now offers a very different perspective:A somber image of migrants on
foot, walking hopefully, desperately — trying to reach the safety of the United
States.
Federation novice Kristine Fernandez (Toronto):
El Paso was an emotional roller coaster. I went from heartbreak to hope and joy all on the same day. It was heartbreaking to see and learn about how we treat migrant workers, refugees, people detained at the border. Amidst all this heartbreak we also encountered beacons of hope. People who are working tirelessly and for no economic gain to stand up for and stand up with those who are being ill-treated.
Federation novice Kristine Fernandez (Toronto):
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| Kristine Fernandez (Toronto) |
El Paso was an emotional roller coaster. I went from heartbreak to hope and joy all on the same day. It was heartbreaking to see and learn about how we treat migrant workers, refugees, people detained at the border. Amidst all this heartbreak we also encountered beacons of hope. People who are working tirelessly and for no economic gain to stand up for and stand up with those who are being ill-treated.
Why is an abused woman who arrives at the U.S. border asking for asylum transported like a criminal in handcuffs and leg shackles to a federal jail?
Why does a migrant worker get paid only 70 cents to fill a big tub of chili peppers?
Why does my heart break when I think of these people?
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| Mary Alice Collar (St. Louis) |
Why does your heart not break when you hear about these people?
Federation novice Mary Alice Collar (St. Louis):
I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to go to El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, to witness the tragedies happening at the border as well as meet so many dedicated people ministering to the many needs of the migrants/refugees fleeing horrific violence.
Each day I was filled with a multitude of emotions from deep sadness, anger, frustration, hopelessness to hopefulness.
I would look into the eyes of frightened 4 and 5 year olds taken from their parents to a strange place (detention center.) Then I saw many volunteers at RICO ministries trying to infuse as much love as humanly possible into the children’s eyes.
I am proud of the southern border Bishops’ statement .
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