Living Laudato Si: Green Week at Colegio Mexicano

As part of the closing ceremonies to celebrate 130 years of Colegio Mexicano, the educational community participated in the First CM Green Week in September, where various activities were carried out.

Families were able to participate in a Recycling Competition, where they made useful or decorative items for the house. The first place obtained a kit of 3 ecological bins for their house, second and third place obtained a CM thermos and a recycling transport bag.

The students of higher primary and secondary education were able to participate in two lectures on Sustainability given by Dr. Sandra Yanette Lozano Garza, MED, from the Sustainability area of the University of Monterrey (UdeM) and the second by Dr. Efrén Robledo Leal, from the Faculty of Biological Sciences of UANL.

Finally, all the students accompanied by their teachers and management and administrative staff participated in the sowing of ornament seeds to embellish the trees adopted from our beautiful Forest, which is located at the front of our facilities.

In the light of Laudato Si and our inspirational CM-phrase in this cycle - Nature, the Image of God, listen to her and respond - all of our ecological activities are oriented to take care of our common home and strengthen our image as a sustainable school.

Reflecting on El Puente Ministry in California, MO

El Puente Ministry – California, MO

By Sr. Guadalupe Ruiz

I serve in California, Missouri which is a small town of 4268 residents.  My ministry is through the Annunciation Parish in collaboration with El Puente ministry based in Jefferson City, MO.  I have been working here since October of 2010, so almost seven years. 

Church picnic at Annunciation Parish

I serve the Hispanic community here, which is mostly made up of Mexicans from the areas of Michoacan and Guanajuato, and also some families from Central America.  Most come from small farming communities, and have immigrated to the United States in search of work and better opportunities for their families. 

The biggest need is the lack of English language fluency in the older adults, and so I assist them as an interpreter, accompanying those who need translation help to doctor appointments, hospitals, lawyer visits, court appearances, and to the immigration offices.

In the parish, the most urgent need is to prepare leaders so that the community can grow and little by little become more self-sufficient.  It is a slow and long process because many lack strong formal education, however their faith, inherited from their elders, is a great value that they bring with them.  

One of the challenges of the immigrant communities in California is for the newest generation growing up who were born in this country.  They can speak with English fluency from attending the schools, and are less fluent in the Spanish of the older generation because they prefer to speak English with their friends and classmates.  They are called the “nini” generation because they are neither (ni) from here, nor (ni) from there.  That is to say they don’t have the strong roots their parents brought from their country of origin but at the same time they aren’t anglo and don’t fully fit in here in the U.S.  Their challenge is to find their identity as Hispanics born in the USA. 

Daily living and accompany these simple and wonderful people I am reminded of the words of Jesus, “that which you did unto the least of these, you did unto me…”  Some of the most impactful experiences I have had these past few years has been accompanying people in their legal processes, going with them to court appearances, visiting in jail, seeing them denied their freedom and even deported.  It is truly a painful process to witness.  Many families are separated due to convictions of having entered the country unlawfully.  I have had the opportunity to get to know the judge, and he is a very humane person who cares, but who also has to comply with his duty to enforce the law.  However, ensuring that the human dignity of all people is respected brings to life in me the mission of the Congregation. 

During these times of uncertainty with the new laws being passed, the Hispanics I work with offer me an example of hope and faith in God.  Their trust in the providence of God which will not abandon them is great.  One woman told me, “If God wants me to stay, I will stay, and if God’s will is that they send me back to Mexico I will go, because it will be what God wants.” 

I am grateful to Sr. Marinela Flores who invited me to come to this small town and serve our immigrant brothers and sisters.  It has been a great opportunity, challenge, and way to make present the saving and healing love of the Incarnate Word.

Reflecting on El Puente Ministry in Jefferson City

El Puente Ministry – Jefferson City, MO

By Sr. Peggy Bonnot

El Puente – Hispanic Ministry will celebrate 18 years of existence in September.  We engage primarily with immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.  Support Services, specifically Health Care, occupies about 80% of our work.  We help pregnant moms follow their prenatal plans, providing interpretation for them as they interact with the health care system.  We help them with insurance applications and other social service assistance that is available to them through the community.  We also provide health education and information in Spanish by a qualified health educator.  Much of this work is done in their home.  We also provide transportation to medical appointments and interpretation services at hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices for clients when requested by the individual, hospital, clinic or doctor’s office.

El Puente offers a ministry of presence and support to the communities in two parishes in our service area.  We are present at the Spanish Masses, help to train ministers, work with the choir, and promote cultural experiences and celebrations.  It was through attending these Spanish Masses that we first learned of the need for translation services in this area.  We learned that most service providers were not bilingual.  Since we could speak Spanish, even though it was at a limited ability in the beginning, people started asking for our help.  So we explored all the resources in our area and started accompanying people to access the services they needed.  We also help with immigration applications and court appointments when needed. There is an office of Refugee and Immigration in Jefferson City, which is part of Catholic Charities.  We work closely with them on Immigration issues.

The biggest challenges in this ministry are the closed-minded attitudes of some people toward immigrants.    It is very difficult to build up a sustaining donor base because of such attitudes.  We are very dependent on grants, the generosity of the Congregation, and the diocese to keep our ministry going.

We have learned much from our ministry over the years.  Our population is young, child-bearing age for the most part.  Their children learn English quickly, but the parents struggle because of work schedules or the need to care for their other young children.  Most of them work at least two jobs to be able to send money to their families back home.  Most of them would prefer to be in their home countries, but because of the conditions at home they must leave or flee to support their families.  They bring with them strong family values and a rich cultural heritage.  Many of them have had to struggle to receive an education, leaving school at a young age to help their families.  They come from countries where war, abuse, oppression and lack of income has scarred them.

Our hope, which is our Vision Statement, is that our Hispanic neighbors will thrive in church and society.  Much of that hope is in the youth.  They will be healthy, educated, and have leadership skills to bridge the gap between their parents and the future.  Given a chance they will be very productive citizens and have a great influence on the future of our country.

Responding to the Needs of the Immigrant Community

Responding to the Needs of the Immigrant Community

By Sr. Anne Marie Burke 

When I returned from my ministry in Peru in January of 2015 the Generalate team invited me to discern where I could best serve in the U.S. After a time of discernment, I felt that God was calling me to minister to immigrants, especially to Latin-Americans since Spanish is my second language.

From March –May, 2015 I volunteered 2-3 days per week with the IWC (Interfaith Welcome Coalition) which the First Presbyterian Church coordinated in San Antonio. I served at the Casa Mennonite guest house where immigrants from the Dilley and Karnes City detention centers came for shelter until they continued to their destination.  Usually their stay was for a night or two. Hospitality, food, a place to rest, a shower, clean clothes, legal advice, health care, counseling service, transportation, communication with family and friends were offered.  RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) collaborated in the project in a big way. The majority of the immigrants were from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.

From March 15th to April 11th I volunteered in El Paso at the Nazareth Hospitality Center for immigrants coming from the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) retention center in El Paso.  Nazareth Hospitality Center is an extension of Annunciation House directed by Ruben Garcia. The volunteers worked on shifts: 7.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m., 2.00.p.m. -10.00 p.m. and one volunteer stayed overnight in the center. The services offered to the immigrants were the same as in San Antonio and were more organized. The number of persons was bigger: 30 – 40 per night.  People came from Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras. Mexico, Ethiopia. Most of the women had small children with them.

My experience at Nazareth Hospitality Center was a time to serve the people on their way to liberation. As I reflect on my experiences there I am aware of God’s loving care of the poor and suffering manifested in the caring volunteers, and how we participate in God’s redemptive love as we serve each other in solidarity.  I am humbled and thank God for all His blessings in our lives and for the opportunity to receive and share His love with others.

From May to June 2016 I joined Sister Cathy Vetter in St. Louis Mo. to see what possibilities of immigrant ministry were available. Cathy gave me some contacts and I visited various institutions and spoke with Sisters from different Congregations who minister to immigrants. In my discernment I chose St. Louis because the immigrants are settled there.

I went to San Antonio for my annual Retreat and I returned to St. Louis at the end of July and joined the CCVI Lumen Christi Community.  The beginning of August 2016 I started as a volunteer interpreter at the Casa de Salud clinic, and I was available for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I served there till March 2017.

In October, 2016 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12.00 – 3.00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe School I started tutoring Kindergarten children who speak Spanish in their home. In April 2017 I started tutoring Monday – Friday till May 25th the last day of the school year. I will return in the middle of August when the new year begins.  On Saturdays I volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Society Caritas thrift shop sorting clothes and putting them out on the racks. The income goes to help the Food Pantry. Many immigrants come to buy at the store.

Called to Minister to Today's Immigrants

Called to Minister to Today's Immigrants on the Southwest US Texas/Mexico Border

By Sr. Rosaleen Harold

“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9.

The seeds of my personal call to ministry among undocumented persons and refugees were sown during the general election campaign of last year. What most concerned me during the political debates was the very diverse proposals for immigration legislation among the main parties. However, on election night last January, aware of the immigration proposals of the new administration, I knew in my heart that I needed to put myself at “ground zero” to do all in my power to be an advocate for the immigrants as Scripture calls us to do: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35.

There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” Exodus 12:49.

Casa Vides in El Paso, TX

After consultation with our General Leadership Team, especially with Sr. Jean Durel, who has had experience in ministry on the El Paso/Juarez border, I contacted Ruben Garcia, the director of Annunciation and Casa Vides houses for refugees and was accepted as a volunteer at Casa Vides.  Today I am completing my 7th week here and I can truly say that I have been blessed by my contact with the immigrants, whom we refer to as our “guests” and us volunteers as “Guest servants”.  We place ourselves among these poor so as transform our understanding of what constitutes more just relationships between peoples, countries, and economies. Although we work as a team, each of us bring our unique personal qualities. The basic quality for a guest servant is to have a spirit of service reflected in:

•          Presence: make our heart available to each person;
•          Joy: reflect the Good News with a smile;
•          Sacrifice: move from a love of self to selfless love;
•          Reverence:  The poor are God’s special people; through them we discover our own holiness.
•          Hospitality: Helping the stranger feel at home. We are welcoming those who seek to belong.

Annunciation House has been working in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez since 1978 operating houses of hospitality for migrants and refugees. It is a Catholic organization that accompanies the migrant, homeless, and economically vulnerable peoples of the border region through hospitality, advocacy, and education. It has an all-volunteer staff who place themselves among these poor so as transform their understanding of what constitutes more just relationships between peoples, countries, and economies.

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY GATHERINGS:

On Monday mornings, we usually have a gathering of the volunteers for an all-morning prayer and refection on specific themes related to our ministry to the refugees. We have discussed topics such as: Discipleship; Holy Women, the Sanctity of Mothers; Worldview of Abundance; Faith.

On weekdays, we begin our day each morning with prayer and reflection where we take turns preparing a specific topic. One day we reflected on our “guests” as the “Prophets Among Us”. It was a call to be open to the person who shows up at our door and what message he/she brings us.  We then shared with each other the gifts we saw in each one. 

Annunciation House in El Paso, TX

The team shared the following about my gifts: “Rosaleen: You came as a prophet and your message is shown daily in your reverence for other persons. You are truly a helping person. Instead of asking “puedo ayudarlo”, you just extend your hand and reach to assist. Your attentive listening is reflected in your eyes. It is obvious that you “hear” with your heart and spirit. Your awe of simple things is expressed with quiet wonder and gratitude. I am so very glad that you are here.”

That feedback helped me to discover where I could best use my personal gifts. Usually I am the team member who has the privilege of welcoming our “guests” as they arrive from the detention center and dismount from the border patrol bus. They look tired and worried as they enter our house, but quickly they begin to feel at ease as we explain the services we offer: free room and board, contact with a family member who will buy their bus or airline ticket and transport to the bus station or the airport. We are fortunate to have a roster of local people who provide free transport for our “guests.”  

BORDER AWARENESS EXPERIENCE: Understanding the US/Mexico Border through experiential education.

In the early 1990s Annunciation House developed the Border Awareness Experience (BAE). The objective of this program is to facilitate face to face meetings and encounters between participants and people and groups on both sides of the border. It intends to raise consciousness about the issues facing the border such as immigration, economic development, human rights, and social justice. The BAE also educates North Americans about our role and responsibilities in today’s globalized world.

The BAE is an immersion experience. More than being an informational tour, it seeks to immerse the participants in the border culture and realities of the many people and groups that live and work here. The food that they eat and the conditions which they live in are as much a part of the experience as the people and groups that you will meet. A typical day may include: visiting the US Border Patrol, listening to the stories of migrants and refugees, meeting with human rights activists, and staying in a migrant shelter.

Sister Story: Sr. Mary Pezold

Celebrating her diamond jubilee this year, while continuing to lead and serve where needed, we are excited to honor Sr. Mary Pezold this month for our sister story highlight.  As a woman who strives to be a living witness for peace and justice in our world, she has touched many lives over the past 60 years serving in both educational as well as pastoral settings. 

Sr. Mary first worked as a teacher when she entered the Congregation, serving at St. Francis of Rome in Illinois, and later at both Incarnate Word Academy and Incarnate Word High School in various teaching and administrative positions.  She spent over 20 years as a pastoral associate at St. Anselm parish in St. Louis and St. Joseph parish in Cottleville.  She has also generously given of her time and talents to serve in leadership of the Congregation both provincially and in the Generalate, as well as on the US Ministry Council which she chaired up until last year. 

Whether it’s working with students, faculty, staff, or families, Sr. Mary sees her ministry of teaching, leading, and accompanying as intimately connected to our collective work for peace, justice, and the care of creation.  In her words, “I have had so many opportunities to share God’s presence.  It is an incredible privilege to journey with others.” 

Working in educational administration, she can see how a culture of peace, justice, and concern for creation permeates the whole curriculum and environment in our CCVI educational institutions.  She has worked with faculty and staff over the years to help educate and train them to also be living witnesses to the peace and justice work they in turn encourage in the students.  Everyone works together when it comes to service projects and social justice initiatives.  She particularly enjoys getting to see the passion and energy that young people have for engaging in peace and justice work. 

Sr. Mary Pezold currently serves as the Interim President of Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) in St.Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  They also work to care for creation by recycling and caring for the beautiful campus and land around the school.  Sr. Mary says, “We have to take every opportunity to help the school community be a light that radiates peace, show we can work together in our diversity, and promote a deep respect and inclusion for all.”
Louis, MO.  She shared about the great work going on at IWA related to the area of JPIC.  IWA has a diversity club, dialogue around issues of justice and peace is facilitated by the school’s guidance counselor, and they just recently started a book club inviting parents, students, faculty and staff to gather together to discuss

Incarnate Word Academy is blessed to have the leadership and living witness of Sr. Mary Pezold guiding them during these challenging times in our communities and country.  As she prepares to celebrate 60 years as a vowed woman religious, she continues to give of her time, talents, and love to all she encounters.  For a life and ministry that embodies the values of peace, justice, and the care of creation we offer our gratitude to Sr. Mary Pezold!  

Women's Global Connection Celebrates and Honors Women

KSAT-TV interviewing Lisa at the UIW Women’s Fair

Women's Global Connection honored the women and girls they partner with worldwide last week at the UIW Women's Fair AND caught the eye of local television station KSAT-TV, which interviewed Executive Director Lisa Uribe.  You can watch the report here!!

Lisa highlighted WGC's mission promoting the leadership and learning capacity of women and girls and got a chance to talk about the upcoming unique collaboration that will take the message of women's empowerment to New York City this week!

Lisa and several local female leaders have been selected to present at the UN Commission on the Status of Women program event about Women's Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work. 

The group, including Sr. Martha Ann Kirk CCVI, consists of the following San Antonio organizations:

• The Dialogue Institute of the Southwest
• The Battered Women and Children’s Center (Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc.)
• Women’s Global Connection
• University of the Incarnate Word

The discussion will analyze the significant effects of economic, social and educational empowerment towards women’s leadership.  It will center on best practices and highlight the importance of opportunities for women to initiate peace in their respective communities.

Development Associate Tamarra Mencey at the WGC booth
 at the UIW Women’s Fair

“Women are not given equal resources and opportunities to empower themselves, so they are eventually underrepresented in decision-making platforms,” said Fatma T. Arslan Korkmaz, moderator of the panel and a representative of the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest.

Lisa of WGC will speak about how economic inequality impedes women worldwide by erecting barriers to formal financial institutions and saving mechanisms. The cycle traps women in vulnerable, low-paid, or undervalued jobs.  WGC works with women in Tanzania, Zambia and Peru on projects involving small businesses, microfinance, nutrition, clean water and education.

“We get to regularly witness how access to education and economic resources creates leadership opportunities for women in these developing countries,” Lisa said. “Investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on productivity and sustained economic growth for a region.”

Marta B. Peláez, CEO of the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, will address how social inequality in the form of subordination of women results in gender discrimination.  Women and girls are the ones who suffer most from poverty, wars, human trafficking and domestic violence, she said.

And Sr. Martha Ann, a CCVI and UIW professor, will speak about the successes over the last several years in increasing educational attainment for women and the challenges that remain.  "Peace-building efforts across the globe depend on the full participation of women and girls in education and leadership opportunities," she said.  

Sister Story: Sr. Walter Maher CCVI

While Sr. Walter Maher CCVI is the newest member of the Congregation’s International JPIC Committee, she is certainly not new to the work for peace and justice.  A Sister for over 50 years, she currently serves as the Vice President for Mission and Ministry at the University of the Incarnate Word.  She has been in that role since 2009 after leaving congregational leadership, and it is evident when speaking with her that she has a deep passion for the work she does to share and inspire the CCVI mission in others. 

For Sr. Walter, “Justice is not separate from mission; they are one.  Justice is about looking around, knowing what the concrete needs are, and figuring out how I can respond.  That’s our mission.”  And it is with great joy that she shares this mission with students, staff, faculty, and administrators at the University through various formation programs and opportunities. 

In addition to formation, another very important part of Sr. Walter’s ministry is facilitating the life of prayer and worship at the University.  She sees this as the real work of the University: to inspire students, faculty, and staff through opportunities of communal prayer and worship, in order to understand the heart of the mission and identity of the University and allow that inspiration to move them forward.  She also brings in the writings and messages of the global Catholic Church, reflecting on recent encyclicals and tying in the theme of the Year of Mercy to retreats and reflections last year. 

Sr. Walter believes that the shared life of prayer and worship can transform, and encourages all to participate, even those who aren’t Catholic, because they are one community.  The dignity of every student, of every religion, is respected and uplifted in an active inter-faith council at the University as well.  Sr. Walter says, “We can all come together, knowing we are working for the common good.”  What a beautiful lived example of social justice for our world! 

With a long history of ministry in education since she entered the Congregation, it is no surprise that Sr. Walter loves her work with students.  Just as she shares her passion for mission and ministry, the student’s passion for working for justice in the world inspires her as well.  She is particularly excited about one dream that became a reality last year when the University became a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) designated university.  There were about 30 students who attended an all-day training about CRS, and left full of energy and commitment to this work.  Some of the current foci of the group are on climate change, fair trade, and migration. 

She is also inspired by the dedication of the faculty and staff to the mission of the University.  Currently she is working with faculty of the graduate level programs to integrate Catholic Social Teaching into the curriculum.  There is a group of 20 people who gather together to reflect on issues of social justice from the lens of Catholic Social Teaching on a personal, communal, structural, and global level. 

When reflecting on her many and varied responsibilities in her ministry, Sr. Walter acknowledges that she is, “all over the place, but the power of presence is so important.  I really see my ministry as a ministry of presence.  As a representative of the Congregation I hear students, staff, and faculty acknowledge how important my presence is and that I’m not afraid to jump in where needed, doing what needs to be done while always keeping the larger vision of our mission present.”  This is also apparent in her open door policy.  She always has an open door for anyone in need to come in, share with her, and together they can help figure out a response to any problem as it arises. 

Even with her many responsibilities and busy schedule at the University, Sr. Walter was still willing to say yes when invited to serve as a member of the Congregation’s International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee.  She brings with her an open heart, and many years of experience serving in diverse communities and responding to a variety of needs.  She sees this as just one more way she can continue to serve the Congregation which she says has so richly blessed her own life.   

Thank you Sr. Walter for your “Yes” to collaborate with the International JPIC Committee, and for all of the passion, love, and humility you bring to your ministry with the University of the Incarnate Word.  What a blessing to all who benefit from your many gifts, shared so generously!