Remembering the 53 lost lives in San Antonio

Nearly a year later, three of our sisters and dozens of others gathered this Sunday, June 25, to pray for the families of the 53 lives lost in a trailer in San Antonio, Texas. "Sisters Mary Margaret, Betty and I were able to join the faith community. As we prayed the community Rosary, we remembered each of the victims and their families. It was an experience that deeply touched my heart. It hurts to see and hear the suffering of the families who have lost their loved ones. I also feel grateful that we were able to be with the community;" shares Sister Martha Laura.

As we remember these our brothers and sisters, we renew our commitment to nurture a culture of encounter where dignity knows no borders.

You can read more about this act of love and solidarity in the following local media publication.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/06/26/nearly-one-year-later-dozens-gather-on-quintana-road-remembering-the-53-lost-lives/?source=twitter&campaign=sndtest

2023 Annual Assembly of the Kawsay Network

By Sr. Sofia Mamani CCVI

The Annual Assembly of the Kawsay Network, a network of consecrated life in Peru against human trafficking, was held in Lima from May 25 to 28, 2023. 32 sisters from the 26 Congregations belonging to the Network gathered to analyze and reflect on the reality of human trafficking in Peru.

We started with different opportunities for encounter and friendship. On the first day, after a very experiential prayer, we received a presentation from Italy. This sister shared with us her experiences in the ministry of accompanying victims of trafficking. She challenged us to listen and look around us, who are the people close to us who might be experiencing slavery? So many of the survivors of human trafficking were victims of false job offers and mostly very impacted by economic poverty. Sister shared with us that this ministry is arduous, needs to be constant, and includes risks. This ministry requires networking because most of the offenders are well organized networked criminals. She challenged us to be very courageous in accompanying the families who are looking for their missing relatives among them children and women.

The reality of human trafficking in Peru is sad. For example, it was shared with us that the national budget for the fight against human trafficking is 0.05. With this amount, it is clear that the institutions responsible for stopping the crime of human trafficking cannot rescue the people who are victims of this crime. Furthermore, as most Peruvians experience, the laws seem to be only on paper. Listening to testimonies of survivors of this scourge is painful because it is a theft of dreams and plans of girls, boys, adolescents, young people and especially women (80%). Many women in my country are being treated as if they were things.

During these days of assembly we affirm once again that we reject that people are treated as " mercancía," that we will stand by the victims of human trafficking, and given the lack of adequate attention to the process of restitution of dignity and rights, we urge the national government and public entities, to:

• Guarantee the protection, care, and welfare of the victim and access to justice.
• Train justice operators to receive and facilitate the process of restoration of their rights.
• Provide housing or shelters with specialized personnel for victims of human trafficking over 18 years of age where they feel safe and protected, where they can be empowered and achieve their integration.
• Improve the functioning of the prosecution, criminal sanction and control system to combat the crime of human trafficking.

It was really painful to hear so much deceit, exploitation, and indifference. Certainly, we ended up very touched to see so much vulnerability in a crime that seems unseen by many people. Also, as Red Kawsay we dreamed that together we could open a house in Lima to welcome survivors over the age of 18. We have that challenge and hope. Several of us are already in the process, and it is still necessary that some of us or our Congregations accept the responsibility of leadership. Accompanying survivors is a task that involves multiple disciplines. The call is there. I believe that each of our Congregations could offer something and together we could respond to God's cry.

Asamblea Anual de la Red Kawsay 2023

Escribe Hna. Sofía Mamani CCVI

La Asamblea Anual de la Red Kawsay, red de la vida consagrada en Perú contra la trata de personas, se desarrolló en Lima (Perú) del 25 al 28 de mayo 2023. 32 hermanas de las 26 Congregaciones pertenecientes a la Red estuvimos reunidas para analizar y reflexionar sobre la realidad de trata de personas en Perú.

Iniciamos con diferentes espacios para el encuentro y la amistad. El primer día, después de una oración muy experiencial, recibimos una Conferencia desde Italia. Esta hermana nos compartió sus experiencias en el ministerio de acompañar a las víctimas de la trata. Ella nos retó a escuchar y a ver en nuestro entorno. ¿Quiénes son las personas cercanas a nosotras que podrían estar experimentando esclavitud? Muchísimas de las sobrevivientes de trata de personas fueron víctimas de falsas ofertas de trabajo y mayormente muy impactadas por la pobreza económica. La hermana nos compartió que este ministerio es arduo, necesita ser constante, e incluye riesgos. Este ministerio requiere de un trabajo en red porque la mayoría de los agresores son criminales bien organizados en red. Nos retó a ser muy valientes para acompañar a las familias que buscan a sus familiares desaparecidos entre ellos niños, niñas y mujeres.

La realidad de trata de personas en Perú es triste. Por ejemplo, se nos compartió que el presupuesto nacional para la lucha contra la trata de personas es 0.05. Con ese monto, es claro, que las instituciones responsables de detener el crimen de la trata de personas no pueden rescatar a las personas que son víctimas de este delito. Todavía más, como experimentan la mayoría de peruanas y peruanos, las leyes parecen solo estar en papel escrito. Escuchar testimonios de sobrevivientes de este flagelo es doloroso porque se trata de un robo de los sueños y proyectos de muchísimas niñas, niños, adolescentes, jóvenes, y sobre todo, mujeres (80%). Muchísimas mujeres en mi país están siendo tratadas como si fueran objetos. 
Durante estos días de asamblea afirmamos una vez más que rechazamos que las personas sean tratadas como “mercancía,” que estaremos al lado de las víctimas de la trata de personas, y ante la falta de atención adecuada al proceso de restitución de la dignidad y derechos, urgimos al gobierno nacional y entes públicos, que:

• Garanticen la protección, cuidado, y bienestar de la víctima y el acceso a la justicia.
• Formen a los operadores de justicia para recibir y facilitar el proceso de restauración de sus derechos.
• Dispongan viviendas o centros de refugios con personal especializado para las víctimas de la trata de personas mayores de 18 años donde se sientan seguras y protegidas, puedan habilitarse y lograr su integración.
• Mejoren el funcionamiento del sistema de persecución, sanción penal y fiscalización para combatir el delito de la trata de personas.

De veras que fue muy doloroso escuchar tanto engaño, aprovechamiento, e indiferencia. Ciertamente, terminamos muy tocadas al ver tanta vulnerabilidad en un crimen que parece invisible para muchas personas. Y también como Red Kawsay soñamos que juntas podríamos abrir una casa en Lima para acoger a sobrevivientes mayores de 18 años. Tenemos ese reto y esperanza. Ya varias de nosotras están gestionando, y aún hace falta que alguna de nosotras o nuestras Congregaciones asuman la responsabilidad del liderazgo. Acompañar a las sobrevivientes es una tarea que implica múltiples disciplinas. El llamado está ahí. Creo que cada una de nuestras Congregaciones podría ofrecer alguito y así juntas responder a este llanto de Dios. 

Día Mundial del Migrante y Refugiado 2023

Conmemoramos la valentía, resiliencia y fortaleza de las personas que se vieron obligadas a dejar atrás sus hogares. No se trata precisamente de un día de celebración, sino una ocasión para reafirmar nuestro compromiso de acoger e integrar a las personas solicitantes de la condición de refugio y refugiadas en nuestras comunidades.

Desde la Red por Migrantes, Inmigrantes y Refugiados CCVI tuvimos la oportunidad de acompañar desde Palenque y Tapachula [Chiapas, Mx] los eventos organizados y marchar junto con las personas solicitantes y refugiadas. Resaltamos la voluntad de las autoridades municipales de trabajar, desde lo local, este fenómeno mundial; reconocemos el trabajo de las organizaciones internacionales, que promueven acciones y proyectos que busquen integrar a estas poblaciones; y agradecemos la entrega de las personas que conforman y colaboran en las organizaciones de sociedad civil y albergues pues sabemos que, de corazón, ellas acompañan a las personas solicitantes y refugiadas en su camino y paso por nuestras comunidades.

En su mensaje para la Jornada Mundial del Migrante y Refugiado 2023 el Papa Francisco nos invita a reflexionar en torno a la libertad de elegir si migrar o quedarse. Cuando a las personas se les arrebata esa libertad de elección y deben recurrir al desplazamiento entre países para encontrar un espacio seguro, estamos llamadas a la acción: recibirles e integrarles, facilitarles una estancia digna y un abrazo fraterno. Estamos llamados como Iglesia a trabajar y construir con
actores gubernamentales, iniciativa privada, medios de comunicación, organizaciones internacionales y de sociedad civil, pues solo así podremos atender de manera integral los desafíos a los que se enfrentan las personas solicitantes y refugiadas al llegar y establecerse en una nueva comunidad.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023

We commemorated the courage, resilience and strength of the people who were forced to leave their homes behind. This is not just a day of celebration, but an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to welcoming and integrating asylum-seekers and refugees into our communities.

From the CCVI Migrant, Immigrant and Refugee Network we had the opportunity to accompany from Palenque and Tapachula [Chiapas, Mx] the celebrations and rallies, along with the refugee population in both localities. We acknowledge the will of the municipal authorities to work locally on this global phenomenon; we recognize the work of international organizations, which promote actions and projects that seek to integrate these populations; and we appreciate the dedication of the people who make up and collaborate in civil society organizations and shelters because we know that, at heart, they accompany the asylum seekers and refugees on their way through and during their stay in our communities.

In his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on the freedom to choose whether to migrate or to stay. When people are deprived of that freedom of choice and must resort to travel between countries to find a safe space, we are called to action: to receive and integrate them, to facilitate a dignified stay and a fraternal embrace. We are called as a Church to work and build with governmental actors, private initiative, media, international and civil society organizations- only then will we be able to address, in a comprehensive way, the challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees when they arrive and settle in a new community.

Abundant Harvest

 

Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

 

All of us are harvesters in one way or another according to the way in which we are called.  We are leaders in the service of the Reign of God.  This requires patience, perseverance, and resilience in what we are called to do and to be.  If you think there is nothing to do, wait until you go to the Respite Center, Food Bank, Catholic Worker House, Inner City Development, etc. You are needed, and your contribution will be appreciated by the people and organization who need your service.  A man in the Food Bank shared his justice and peace advocacy to someone who is saddened by his situation, he said, “Do you think you have a problem? Come and join us make some sandwiches for the homeless, you will see…”

 

There is usually a lack of budget to fill the demands of a position that relates to social and economic services that requires more than one person to fill in.  There is an abundance of work, there is always somewhere to contribute your time, talent, and effort.  Topping the list is the migrant shelters.  I volunteer with the Catholic Charities Respite Shelter occasionally, and there is non-stop influx of refugees and migrants.  The facility has hundreds of portable beds.  The facility can accommodate 500 but there are more than that on a peak day. The chapel of the facility has become a makeshift room for bed spaces to accommodate people who needed extra space to sleep.  The refugees come and go but their gratitude and good memories from the people who prayed and took care of them in their journey stay with them.  Where do carbon and methane emissions that cause severe heat and drought being the long-term effects of unethical practices come from? How can we to stop climate change, so people do not have to suffer the life-threatening effects of it? Where can we send the laborers?

 

Speaking of abundant harvest, while the temperature is reaching up to more than 100° Fahrenheit in San Antonio, there is a community garden that is thriving.  It is full of life from the plants that are growing.  It brings people, adults, youth, and children alike who are passionate about gardening and nature.  Gardopia is a non-profit organization that educates children, youth, and adults about organic gardening and the value of growing gardens.  My love of nature and care for the earth moved me to give my Saturday morning for this community garden.  We harvested bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  The manager invited us to take some of the harvests. 

While community gardening is good for your social life, it is also good for climate justice. Gardening helps to control urban temperature and mitigate the effects of climate change.

 

If you are looking for something ecological and fun this summer, go out for community gardening, beach clean-up, and other earth and social friendly causes.  The harvest is abundant, and the laborers are few.  Explore opportunities where you can sow some seeds or reap some harvests. As the saying goes, going out there can add to your years, the years can add to your life.  Be part of the life-changing mission.

 

The Transcendental Participation

 

The Transcendental Participation 

by Sr. Marylou Rodriguez, CCVI

God showed us how the power of contemplation and actions can free the people from slavery and oppression (John 5:8).  God wants our participation.  Human beings can participate in creation or destruction. They can contribute to good or to bad in the world.   

As human beings, we thrive through cooperation, collaboration, and just social interactions.  We naturally are attracted to beauty, goodness, and things that make us joyful, but we can become immune to what is wrong. 

We can make bad choices repeatedly and refuse to recognize those. Or we can take time to contemplate our actions and make choices to cultivate the good. We have the power to break the convenient sinful habits with something that is good. 

Someone pays for the wrong convenience that we opt to choose.  The fracking and burning of fossil fuels producing various single-use disposable items, and mass-produced resources in capitalist economy contribute easily to global climate crisis.  Someone who is poor and vulnerable, with the least means to mitigate the risk, eventually can reap the bad effects of our actions. 

What alternatives do we have?

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Development and the Laudato Si Movement worked together to produce the film called “The Letter.”  It shows the frontline leaders who advocate for the Care of our Common Home as they voice their respective concerns to Pope Francis.  A large portion of the global carbon footprint comes from the developed countries due to massive production and consumption.  Thus, the developed countries need to take the big leap of faith and take the big steps in fulfilling the commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Sr. Mary Lou Rodriguez in behalf of the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, and Creation Committee with friends invited the Village at Incarnate Word to have the film "The Letter" in Laudato Si anniversary week. The film was produced for people to learn to care for our Common Home. The film includes frontline leaders from all over the world advocating for social and ecological causes in their own respective areas.  

The event was held on May 25, 2023, at 2:30 pm beginning with a prayer led by Sr. Josetta Eveler. The prayer helped to unify hearts and mind to pause and to ask God for guidance in understanding and how each person might take action.  The gathering included a tea break and at the end a short reflection in which participants were invited to share what they felt and what they would be taking with them.  One of the participants shared that he did not know what was happening in the other parts of the world.  He admitted that there are things that we take for granted.

Sisters Consuelo, Juanita, and Angela encouraged everyone to remember that we are part of the solution.  They highlighted the importance of looking at our daily consumption and our actions (e.g., recyclables, reusables, etc.).

Jesus asked the blind man to pick up his mat and walk.  He did not magically heal the blind man and continue to leave him in a place of despair. The man had hoped for salvation for thirty-eight years. Jesus wanted him to actively participate in his cure.  The solution to Climate Change will not magically happen.  We have the abilities to put the solution into action.  God wants us to pick up our mat and walk.